The second competition window under the Powering Opportunities Partnership (POP) is now open. It calls for demonstration projects related to Local Value Addition and Employment Creation in the upstream off-grid energy sector.

This competition aims to provide grant support to projects and partnerships which meet the following requirements:

• (a) operate in the off-grid energy sector,
• (b) test new or enhanced business models in the ‘upstream’ segments of the value chain,
• (c) are focused on growing the local share of value in the off-grid energy sector and/or local employment creation, and
• (d) are located in any Sub-Saharan African country, excluding South Africa.

The upstream elements of the off-grid energy value chain, include R&D, testing, manufacture and assembly.

EoI submission Deadline: 17th May 2019.

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with executer Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl), uses the SDG 7 Results facility as a contribution to sustainable development goals achievements in developing countries. In particular SDG 7.

SDG 7: Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

In order to achieve the climate goals, the world needs to accelerate its transition to renewable energy. This means energy access for everyone who does not have a modern energy supply, while doubling the speed of energy savings, throughout the world by 2030.

SDG 7 Results result areas:

SDG 7 Results' objective is to give 2 million people in developing countries access to renewable energy. Projects should contribute to the following result areas:

     1. access to electricity in homes

     2. access to clean cooking in homes

Focus of SDG 7 Results:

SDG 7 Results is based on the following key principles:

     1. Payment will be made pending the achievement of the results that are specified in advance. 

     2. The results will be independently verified prior to payment. This will be done by an independent verification agent, procured and paid for by RVO.

     3. Grant applicants have a degree of flexibility in the way they achieve the results.

Programme: The SDG 7 Results programme comprises 3 consecutive phases:

     1. Project development - Submit your project idea (concept note) until 4 June 2019 12:00 pm. 

     2. Grant application - Submit your project proposal together with the grant application. 

     3. Implementation and follow-up.

Applications: To submit an application, you must follow the 2 steps outlined below:

     1. Concept note: Grant applicants must first submit a concept note digitally through ePortal (eLoket) before 4 June 2019 12:00 pm.

     2. Grant application: There will be 2 tender rounds: 1 in 2019 and 1 in 2020. The first tender opens on 1 July 2019 and closes on 27 September 2019 at 12 p.m. CEST.

Countries: Bangladesh, Burkina Faso*, Chad*, Ethiopia*, Gambia, India, Kenya*, Mali*, Mozambique, Niger*, Nigeria*, Uganda*, Rwanda, Senegal*, Sudan*, Tanzania, South Sudan*. (*priority countries). 

Deadline: 4 June 2019 12:00 pm.

Budget: The available budget for the first tender round is €11.25 million. Each project can apply for a grant of at least €250,000 and no more than €2.5 million.

More info: 

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The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Green Powered Technology, in partnership with Energy 4 Impact, would like to invite eligible companies to submit proposals for expanding access to Pay-As-You-Go Solar Home Systems in the Kiryandongo and Rwamwanja Refugee Settlements & Host Communities in Uganda.

To apply, applicants should complete all items in the Call for Proposals package and send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than March 20, 2019 at 1200 East Africa Time. For details on eligibility criteria, a listing of other important dates and full application instructions, please refer to the Call for Proposals document below.

Country: Uganda

Deadline: March 20, 2019.

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This call is focused on promoting leadership and economic opportunities for women across the clean energy sector. We are seeking applications that propose innovative approaches to gender inclusion while also supporting core business objectives and growth. Projects will be evaluated based on concept innovation, development impact, business model and financial sustainability. Applications from women entrepreneurs and women-led organisations are strongly encouraged.

Applicants can apply for early-stage grants and repayable grants between EUR 200,000 – 500,000. The minimum required co-financing is 30% of the total project budget. All applications need to demonstrate clear additionality of EEP funding.

Eligible Applicants: Companies (including start-ups), Non-profit Organisations and Social Enterprises

Project Sectors: Biofuels Liquid, Biogas, Cookstoves, Energy Efficiency, Geothermal, Hydropower, Solar PV, Solar Thermal, Solid Biomass, Waste to Energy, Wind power, other RE/EE technology or combination of technologies (including productive use of energy)

Project Types: Feasibility Studies or Pilot, Demonstration, Replication, or Scale-up Projects

Eligible Countries: Botswana, Burundi, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe (include map) 

Deadline: 2nd April 2019 at 13:00 Helsinki time (GMT+3).

More info: 

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USADF and All On invite you to submit proposals for innovative off-grid solutions to “power up” underserved areas of Nigeria. Applicants should be developing, scaling up or extending energy technologies to off-grid areas of Nigeria. 

To be considered for the Challenge, applicants must be 100% African-owned, majority Nigerian-owned and -managed private companies registered in Nigeria and must be operating in Nigeria.

To apply, applicants should complete the the application form and send required attachments, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. between February 1 and March 15, 2019. For details on eligibility and full application instructions, please refer to the Request for Proposals document below.

Open: February 1, 2019

Deadline: March 15, 2019.

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The USAID – Power Africa SHS kickstarter program is aimed to catalyze and stimulate the market in the short term  over 3 years (2019-2021).

The kickstarter program has 5 key components including:

• A $1.5 Million Results Based Financing (RBF) Grant Facility aimed at stimulating  the sale/provision of 150,000 new SHS off-grid connections.
• Access to working capital; debt and equity finance from various local financial institutions
• Operation Support i.e. technical assistance to SHS companies
• A Consumer Solar Awareness and Education Campaign.
• Policy and Regulatory Reform initiatives including strengthening fiscal incentives and support like VAT & Duty Exemptions.

Open: January, 2019

Deadline: March 15, 2019.

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            Enter online application system >>

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The Off Grid Clean Energy Facility, or OCEF, is a $USD 32 million shared-cost fund over five-years (2017-2022) to co-finance profitable off-grid renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in Benin.

OCEF launches its second call for proposals that includes an amount of 20 million US Dollars, and concerns 4 intervention windows.

• Window 1: Off-grid energy for essential public infrastructure
• Window 2: Decentralized generation and distribution of electricity
• Window 3: Household Energy Systems.
• Window 4: Energy Efficiency Measures

This call for proposals targets national and international private companies, NGOs, public entities, community organizations, energy efficiency project promoters and other interested institutions. Potential bidders will have until March 8, 2019 to submit their application. Applications must be submitted exclusively in French and online on the OCEF website.

Eligible countries for implementation: Benin

Submission Deadline: 8th March 2019.

Language: French

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This program is aimed at demonstrating how the off-grid sector can stimulate local jobs and create local economic value in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Powering Opportunities Partnerships (POP) is one of the constituent projects of TEA’s Supporting Clean Energy Partnerships programme. POP aims to demonstrate how the off-grid energy sector can stimulate local jobs and create local economic value in Sub-Saharan Africa, via a challenge fund supporting proposals that demonstrate innovation, partnerships and the potential for scalability and impact.

A total budget of at least £675,000 has been made available in this round for grants to successful applicants. A minimum of 50% co-funding (either financial or in-kind) is a prerequisite for proposal consideration. This competition seeks to fund 3 to 4 projects. Funding to be requested from TEA-POP for each project should not exceed £300,000. Smaller expressions of interest are welcome.

The program would like to support partnerships in this field. Due to the action research and learning objectives, the proposed project should demonstrate physical activity taking place in local areas, preferably in rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Eligible countries for implementation: All Sub-Saharan countries (except South Africa).

EoI submission Deadline: 28th February 2019.

Application webinars will be held on 1st February, 12th February and 21st February at which the application process will be explained and there will be the opportunity to ask questions.

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            Download RfEoI docs >>

            Download application form >>

            Download 1st Clarifications >>

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P4G Partnerships include both private and public-sector organizations who are working together to advance innovative and commercially viable project(s) in at least one of these five SDG sectors: food and agriculture, water, energy, cities, and circular economy. The partners can come from any country, but their work must target green growth in one of these 150 countries. We provide P4G Partnerships with facilitation, funding, and recognition to support their growth. Our goal is to help these partnerships demonstrate market success and replicability.

P4G Partnership Facilitation

P4G provides an array of facilitation supports to its partnerships. Our facilitation support can help partnerships pitch their projects to investors, learn about industry best practices and network with business and government leaders. We provide P4G Partnerships with valuable visibility at global events such as the P4G Copenhagen Summit, the Clean Energy Investment Forum, the World Food Summit and World Economic Forum's Sustainable Development Impact Summit. In 2018, P4G selected 5 partnerships for direct facilitation support.

P4G Partnership Funding

P4G holds an annual global competition to select public-private partnerships to receive start-up or scale-up funding. P4G start-up partnerships are eligible to receive up to USD 100,000 in funding. P4G scale-up partnerships are eligible to receive up to USD 1 million. In 2018, P4G funded 11 start-up partnerships. Another 8 partnerships are finalists to receive P4G scale-up funding.

P4G will accept applications for 2019 facilitation and funding support from 30th November 2018 to 15th February 2019. All applications must be submitted online.

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            Apply online >>

            Download FAQ >>

            Download Guidelines >>

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Watch the recorded session of the Webinar: How to apply for P4G partnership funding

Publication date: 13th November 2018

Submission date: 28th January 2019

Region: Africa

Entity: USTDA

Description: The U.S. Trade and Development Agency announced a call for initial proposals for gas sector-related projects from project sponsors or U.S. companies working with project sponsors in emerging markets. These entities are invited to submit an initial concept paper (not to exceed five pages) on projects related to gas infrastructure development to USTDA no later than Monday, January 28, 2019 at 12:00pm Eastern Time to be considered for funding.

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Efficiency for Access Coalition launches research and development fund to accelerate innovation in off-grid and weak grid appliance technologies 

The Efficiency for Access (EforA) Coalition has launched a new grant fund for research and development (R&D) projects that aim to accelerate the affordability and efficiency of a range of low energy inclusive appliances that are suited to developing country contexts and promote social inclusion. The first round of the R&D fund, with anchor funding from UK Aid, is worth at least £1 million. This total is expected to be doubled with matching private investment. 

This is part of the Efficiency for Access Coalition’s suite of activities to support and accelerate innovation in off-grid and weak grid appliance technologies and markets. Efficiency for Access Donor Coalition members currently have programmes and initiatives spanning three different continents, 26 countries, and 19 key technologies.

In this first funding round, £50,000 to £200,000 grants are available per project, and eligible products can include feasibility studies, mid-stage industrial research, and late stage for experimental development.

The application window for the first round of grants goes live on 15 November 2018 and will be open to all organisations that meet the application criteria. Submissions for applications will close on 16 January 2019 at midnight (GMT). 

Projects must focus on the development of innovative appliance technologies or products that have potential to positively benefit targeted users at scale. Projects must also take into account gender equality and social inclusion issues. 

Further Information:

• Funding and Eligibility
• Scope
• Key Dates
• Visit the Website

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The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) is a multi-donor trust fund administered by the African Development Bank – anchored in a commitment of USD 60 million by the Governments of Denmark and the United States – to support small- and medium-scale Renewable Energy (RE) and Energy Efficiency (EE) projects in Africa. In many African countries, smaller clean/renewable energy projects are potentially viable from a commercial perspective, but the initial development costs often prevent these projects from accessing necessary financing. SEFA is founded on the premise that reliable, clean and affordable energy can contribute to strong African economies and can have a positive impact in creating employment opportunities across the continent.

Further Information:

• Visit the website
• Download brochure

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The African Power Platform (APP) is supporting the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth (Tillväxtverket) on the Demo Environment Grant Programme, financed by Swedish Agency for Development Cooperation (Sida) and designed to support international technology transfers into 4 African countries: Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia.

Focus areas:

The programme’s emphasis is on cleantech products, systems, processes, and services which offers clear advantages over competing solutions in the following focus areas:

• Climate change adaption/mitigation
• Ecosystem services
• Renewable energy
• Water and sanitation
• Urban development

Grants for Planning activities (Feasibility Studies):

• Eligibility:
  • The main applicant must be a company or organisation based outside one of the 4 prioritized countries, and its partner organisation (the potential customer/buyer) must be legally registered in one of these 4 project countries.
  • The partners should have signed a Memorandum of Understanding or similar agreement before applying.
  • A company or organisation applying must be able to show professionalism and a sustainable business model.
  • We particularly encourage applications from small and medium-sized enterprises.
  • Both partners should exhibit sound finances.
• Funding: The maximum amount available for a grant application referring to Planning activities is SEK 350,000 (around USD 35,000). The grant covers 100% of the eligible costs.
• Evaluation dates (submission deadlines): 21 October 2018, 16 January 2019, 15 March 2019

Grants for Demonstration Projects (Implementation of Pilot Projects):

• Eligibility:
  • The main applicant (the Buyer) must be a company or organization based in one of the 4 prioritized countries.
  • The Buyer is required to identify an international partner (the Seller) who will be offering new technology for the buyers country (i.e the technology does not currently exist in the country). The seller should be based outside of the importing market.
  • The Buyer and Seller should have a signed purchase agreement before submitting the full application.
  • Applying companies or private organizations must have at least 3 employees. We particularly encourage applications from small and medium-sized enterprises.
  • Both partners must exhibit sound finances and a reasonable turnover. It is also required that both parties have been in operation for at least three years.
• Funding: The grant can range from SEK 500,000 (around USD 50,000) to 1,800,000 (around USD 180,000) to fund up to 50% of your invoiced equipment costs and up to 80% of your invoiced other costs
• Evaluation dates (submission deadlines): 21 October 2018

Please go through full details on the Demo Environment Grant Programme website. If you have an eligible project and think you can do it on your own, you can apply to the grant directly.

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DEG co-finances feasibility studies of German and other European companies, aimed at laying the ground for developmentally sound investments.

What are the requirements?

The feasibility study's content is the preparation of a realistic investment project, which should be plausible in terms of successful implementation and profitability.

The planned investment must have development relevance and dovetail with the overall concept for German development cooperation.

The costs of the study must be commensurate with the costs of the planned investment.

The study would not be carried out if public funding was not available due to the ensuing risks and costs.

Who can participate?

Small and medium-sized companies located and operating within Germany and the European Union with an annual turnover of up to EUR 500 million can deliver their proposals to DEG. Important is a firm investment intention, subject to a successful outcome of the feasibility study. The proposing company is capable on a professional level as well as financially to utilise the results of the study and to carry out the planned investment.

What has DEG to offer?

DEG provides a maximum of 50% of the costs for each feasibility study, but in any case not more than EUR 200,000. The proposing company bears a minimum of 50% of the costs for the study and is responsible for its orderly implementation.

Interested companies are asked to deliver their proposals for the co-financing of feasibility studies to DEG. For this purpose please use the documents provided here.

Where do the funds come from?

DEG uses funds from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) for the feasibility studies.

Further Information:

• Financing of Feasibility Studies - Overview
• Financing of Feasibility Studies - Form for Proposal
• Visit the Website

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Publication date: 6th August 2018

Submission date: 9th October 2018

Region: Africa

Entity: USTDA

Description: The U.S. Trade and Development Agency announced a call for initial proposals from project sponsors in sub-Saharan Africa or U.S. companies working with African project sponsors. These entities are invited to submit an initial concept paper (not to exceed five pages) on energy-related projects to USTDA no later than Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at 12:00pm Eastern Time to be considered for funding.

            View announcement >>

            View deadline extension >>

The African Power Platform will inform the members as soon a new application windows open.

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The Sector Specific Assistance Scheme is a reimbursable cost-sharing incentive scheme whereby financial support is granted to organisations supporting the development of industry sectors and those contributing to the growth of South African exports.

Organisations supported under SSAS include Export Councils, Joint Action Groups, Industry Associations and those involved in the aimed at the development of emerging exporters.

Further Information:

• Visit the website
• Generic Funding (Administered by TISA)
• Project Funding (Administered by IDAD)
• Project Funding  for the Emerging Exporters (Administered by IDAD)

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The ECOWAS Renewable Energy Facility (EREF) is a grant facility which is managed by the Secretariat of the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) based in Praia, Cabo Verde. It provides grant co-funding for small to medium sized renewable energy and energy efficiency (RE&EE) projects and businesses in rural and peri-urban areas.

Following the successful implementation of the First Call for Proposals from 2011 to 2014 and the Second Call for Proposals from 2014 to 2018, ECREEE is now launching the EREF Third Call for Proposals. The 3rd Call EREF provides non-reimbursable co-funding grant for the capital expenditure in clean energy mini-grids in rural and peri-urban areas, with a specific attention to those initiatives supporting and promoting productive uses of electricity (PUE). The available funds are one 1.2 million US Dollars.

The deadline for submission of proposals is 11 January 2019, 23:00 UTC -1.

Eligible Countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. 

Further Information:

• Visit the website and register
• Download support documents

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The 15th EEP Africa Call for Proposals (CfP15) is focusing on promoting gender inclusion and creating economic and leadership opportunities for women across the clean energy sector. EEP Africa invites applications from early stage off-grid and on-grid clean energy projects in active development phase in Southern and East Africa. We are looking for projects with strong Concept Innovation, Development Impact, and Business Model & Financial Sustainability.

Financing

The EEP Innovation Window considers financing requests in the range of EUR 200,000 — 1,000,000 with a progressive co-financing share of minimum 30% of the total project budget. Financing requests below EUR 500,000 will in most cases be treated as a grant. Any amount of financing exceeding EUR 500,000 will automatically be considered as a repayable grant and require a minimum 50% co-financing share.

Projects with a focus on the preparation of feasibility studies for an on-grid and/or utility scale development, which is approaching a clearly definable financial close, are considered for repayable grants. All other projects are eligible for grant financing.

Deadline: 2nd April 2019

Countries: Botswana, Burundi, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Technologies: Biofuels liquid, Biogas, Cookstoves, Energy Efficiency, Geothermal, Hydropower, Solar PV, Solar thermal, Solid biomass, Waste to energy, Wind power, other RE/EE technology or a combination of the previous (including productive use of energy)

Visit the Website for the 15th EEP Africa Call for Proposals and start getting ready .

The Postcode Lottery Green Challenge is one of the world's largest competitions in the field of sustainable entrepreneurship. Green start-ups from all over the world can submit their promising sustainable business plans. The winner will receive €500,000 to further develop the product or service, and to bring it to market. The runner-up will receive €200,000  and the three other finalists receive €100,000 each. An international jury selects the winner and runner-up.

The Dutch Postcode Lottery started the competition in 2007, after being inspired by president Clinton to look for those dedicated entrepreneurs with brilliant green business plans. Plans that are ready to speed up the transition towards a low carbon economy. The answers to the issues of our time are already in front of us. But it takes entrepreneurs like the Postcode Lottery Green Challenge finalists to present us with sustainable solutions and get them out into the world.

How does the competition work?

Green entrepreneurs can submit (free of charge) their sustainable business plans at www.greenchallenge.info. After the entry period the organization will announce the 25 nominees who have a chance of becoming a finalist. Five finalists will then be selected for the final round of the competition, where they will present their business plan in front of a selected audience and an international panel of experts during the grand final in Amsterdam in 2019. After the decision round the judges will announce the winner of the €500,000 as well as the runner‐up who will win €200,000 and the three other finalists who will receive €100,000 each.

            View website >>

            View entry criteria >>

The African Power Platform will inform the members as soon a new application windows open.

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Got a brilliant innovation idea in the electrical storage area, and want to take it to market or scale-up? You could win €100,000 as well as investment and business support to grow your business from the world’s biggest sustainable player backed by a trusted ecosystem.

What we’re looking for

We want to see start-ups based on innovative technology or business models in the electrical storage area, including electric batteries and/or supercapacitors, and their ancillary devices, whether based on hardware or software.

Your idea should offer competitive advantages in, for example: power density, weight, form factor, environmental impact, production cost, charging, supply, operation and maintenance, health and safety, or recycling.

Our Evaluation Criteria

Anyone with a great idea can enter: established start-ups or those ready to get going. We will use the following criteria:

• Idea – Have you developed a technological solution that meets a critical need in the market?
• Impact –  Is your technology a game changer? Tell us about it and let us know how it will change the rules of the market.
• Team –  Do you have that winning team that is able to step up the plate on the road to success? Together with our coaches we can help you grow!
• Business –  Are you able to translate your technology into a sustainable and profitable business?

Timeline

• STEP 1 – 23rd November 2018 - End of the first assessment round: Applications evaluated, 50 highest scoring start-ups will be invited to the second stage.
• STEP 2 – 30th November 2018 - Pitches uploaded: Those top 50 will upload a five-minute pitch and be assessed further by InnoEnergy experts. The 30 highest scoring ventures will then go forward to the third stage.
• STEP 3 – Early March 2019 - Pitching event: Top 30 will be invited to attend the pitching event in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, in person or via the web. 15 winners will be selected.
• STEP 4 – Early March 2019 - Celebration event: 15 winners invited to the Celebration Event including final pitching event, where €100,000 will be given to the best start-up. All 15 winners offered participation in the InnoEnergy Highway or Boostway programme.

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