This article was originally posted on the EEP Africa website.
EEP Africa has opened a call for proposals on 28 January aimed at applicants in need of grant financing to implement innovative early-stage clean energy projects in Southern and East Africa, with a particular focus on empowering and employing women and youth.
The theme of the call is Clean Energy Powering Green Growth: projects that advance productive use of clean energy or harness clean energy technologies for circular economy solutions are encouraged. Available financing is in the form of grants and repayable grants between EUR 200,000 – 500,000, with a minimum of 30% co-financing required. We strongly recommend women entrepreneurs and women-led companies to apply.
EEP Africa invites innovative project developers to submit applications for early stage clean energy projects in active development phase in Southern and East Africa. Projects will be evaluated based on Concept Innovation, Development Impact, and Business Model & Financial Sustainability. All applications need to demonstrate a clear need and additionality for EEP Africa financing. Eligible applicants are invited to submit Concept Notes via EEP Africa’s online application form.
The deadline for all applications is 10 March 2020 13:00 (Helsinki time, GMT +3).
Financing
Applicants can apply for grants and repayable grants between EUR 200,000 —500,000. The minimum required co-financing is 30% of the total project budget. 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.
Who can apply?
Companies, start-ups and social enterprises with early-stage projects in one or more of the EEP Africa target countries are welcome to apply. Applications from women entrepreneurs and women-led companies are strongly encouraged. All applicants must meet the eligibility criteria defined in the Application Guidelines.
How to apply?
Please carefully read the Application Guidelines before beginning the application process. The guidelines and other documents listed below provide detailed information on eligibility and evaluation criteria.
- Application Guidelines: Call for Proposals 2020 (PDF)
- NDF Environmental & Social Policy and Guidelines 2017 (PDF)
- NDF Policy on Anticorruption and Integrity (PDF)
- Administrative Manual for Project Implementation 2020 (PDF)
All applications are to be submitted through an online Concept Note form in the EEP Portal. All applicants must register for the application process and use of the online application tool. No other forms of application will be accepted.
Instructions for using the EEP Portal can be found in the Application Guidelines. During the call, you can continue/edit your application by signing in with the same account. Once you have fully completed your application (Concept Note), submit it to EEP Africa by pressing ‘Submit’. After submission changes to the Concept Note are no longer possible.
Indicative Timeline
EEP Africa follows a competitive, two-stage application process. In the first stage, all eligible applicants are invited to submit a Concept Note. In the second stage, shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a Full Proposal. Additional information on the Full Proposal process will be shared with selected candidates.
- 28 January 2020: Call for Proposal opens
- 10 March 13:00 (Helsinki time, GMT +3): Application deadline
- May 2020: Communication to shortlisted applicants
- May – June 2020: Full Proposal submission
- September 2020: Final decision
- October – December 2020: Contracting period
- 2021-2023: Project implementation (max 24 months)
Questions
Any questions or clarification regarding the application form and process are to be sent to cfp@eepafrica.org by no later than 14 February. Enquiries and consultations regarding the specifics of individual applications are not allowed.
