The Ending Plastic Pollution Innovation Challenge (EPPIC) is an ASEAN-wide competition aiming to beat plastic pollution in coastal cities in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Lao DPR, and Cambodia by selecting innovative solutions and helping them to grow and scale up.

Over 25 teams from different parts of Laos and neighboring countries have applied to EPPIC 2023 in two months. They came up with a broad range of solutions to tackle plastic pollution with upstream and downstream innovations. In September2023, 07 teams were selected as EPPIC finalists and undertook a 2-monthincubation programme, including two field trips to Savannakhet province. In the Final Pitching Competition, which will take place on 25 January 2024, 02winners from Lao PDR will be awarded seed funding of up to USD 18,000 each and start a 9-month impact acceleration programme.