SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED The financial commitment was signed at the at Nordic Development Fund (NDF) in Finland
Photo by: EEP
Multi-donor fund, the Energy and Environment Partnership (EEP Africa), covering Southern and East Africa, will launch an open call for proposals on innovative clean energy projects, technologies and business models that require funding during the African Utility Week (AUW) to be held in Cape Town in May.
The fund has been the recipient of a €15-million financial commitment from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland. The financial commitment was officially signed on March 15, 2018, at Nordic Development Fund (NDF) in Finland. The NDF had already approved €10-million, bringing the combined commitment to €25-million.
According to EEP lead coordinator Wim Klunne, the fund is expecting a second signing from the Austrian Development Agency for an additional contribution.
“The new financing commitment will support clean energy access and sustainable and inclusive green growth in 15 countries in Southern and East Africa,” explains Klunne.
NDF MD Pasi Hellma said that the NDF is proud of Finland’s acknowledgment of the growing capacity and reach of this institution. “Finland is entrusting us with the legacy of this highly effective programme and, with additional resources to continue to deliver climate impact, clean energy access and green growth on the ground in our partner countries.”
According to Klunne, EEP has channelled more than €57-million to more than 200 pioneering projects leveraging innovative clean energy technologies and energy access business models to transform lives and livelihoods, with particular focus on the poor.
“EEP projects have improved energy access for more than 900 000 households, roughly equivalent to the population of Finland, and contributed to more than 8 000 new jobs, of which more than 3 000 enabled women employment,” Klunne elaborates on the achievements of the fund.
Following the €25-million financial commitment, EEP Africa is set to operate as an ‘open, competitive challenge’ fund that will provide early stage grant and catalytic financing to innovative clean energy projects, technologies and business models.
The fund will be looking for proposals that will make efforts to fast-track clean energy access and sustainable and inclusive green growth across the Southern and East African region. The first open call for proposals will be launched during AUW.