World Cleanup Day 2027 opens call for host city and partners
Nairobi, 3 November 2026 — UN-Habitat has opened a call for expressions of interest from governments, private sector organizations, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions and other interested partners to host the global observance of World Cleanup Day 2027, under the proposed theme ‘Clean Communities, Inclusive Cities: Community-Led Waste Solutions.’ Expressions of interest must be submitted by 15 February 2027.
Observed every year on 20 September, World Cleanup Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2023 to mobilize collective action against waste pollution and promote more sustainable waste management practices. Building on previous observances in Norway (2024), Kenya (2025) and China (2026), the proposed 2027 theme highlights the role communities can play in creating cleaner, healthier and more inclusive cities.
Putting communities at the centre of waste management
In many informal settlements and underserved urban areas, inadequate waste collection, illegal dumping and environmental pollution disproportionately affect vulnerable communities. Yet these communities are also developing their own locally driven solutions.
World Cleanup Day 2027 aims to highlight the contributions of women, youth, community organizations and informal waste workers, while promoting discussions on how municipalities can strengthen participatory waste management, improve service delivery and support safer and more equitable working conditions. The observance will also encourage lasting partnerships, waste prevention and inclusive urban development alongside cleanup activities.
Hosting the Global Observance offers an opportunity to share local experience and leadership in waste management with an international audience. UN-Habitat will lead global mobilization and outreach, including invitations to international stakeholders and live streaming on UN Web TV, while the host will lead the event's logistical arrangements in close collaboration with UN-Habitat.
How to apply
UN-Habitat welcomes expressions of interest from national, regional and local governments, private sector organizations (preferably registered with the UN Global Compact), non-governmental organizations, foundations and educational institutions. Prospective hosts are expected to demonstrate relevant experience, organizational capacity and the ability to provide the required financial and in-kind contributions.
The call is open from 2 November 2026 to 15 February 2027.
Applicants are invited to submit their official expression of interest to wastewisecities@un.org, copying unhabitat-events@un.org, with the subject line ‘Expression of interest to host global observance of World Cleanup Day 2027.’
Read the full call for expressions of interest
Cover photo: A sanitation worker takes part in Uganda’s first National Cleaning Day in Kampala, Uganda, on 25 July 2026. © Shutterstock
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