Call for Proposals / EKOenergy’s Climate Fund / December 2023 – February 2024

Background

All EKOenergy-ecolabel consumers contribute 0.10 € per MWh to EKOenergy’s Climate Fund. With these contributions, EKOenergy funds new renewable electricity projects in low- and middle-income countries to bring additional positive impact to consumers’ choice of renewable energy and help in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Currently, EKOenergy’s Climate Fund is seeking to fund 15-20 short-term projects through this call.

General Information

EKOenergy’s Climate Fund supports short-term solar PV and wind electricity projects in low- and middle-income countries. All funded projects shall be coordinated by experienced non-profit NGOs and implemented in cooperation with local communities, enterprises and other relevant stakeholders.

First-time applicants may receive grants ranging from €15,000 to €40,000 per project. For organisations that received grants from EKOenergy’s Climate Fund in 2022 or 2023, the grant amount can be up to €60,000.

We strongly encourage proposals for projects located in Malaysia, South Africa, and India, as there is growing interest among EKOenergy consumers to support initiatives in these regions.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

EKOenergy’s Climate Fund criteria for short-term projects are designed to ensure that projects align with the fund’s mission and create a positive, long-lasting impact. To be eligible for funding, applicants must demonstrate their organisational capacity and alignment with EKOenergy’s strategic goals to promote renewable energy.

Successful projects are those that take a holistic approach, benefit communities in various ways, and promote renewable energy not only within but also outside the served community. Proposals must include a summary of a project plan with a clear exit strategy, a communication plan, and a rough budget to enable the reviewers to assess the potential impact of the requested funding. Please include details in your proposal regarding the planned installation capacity and the estimated number of people that the project activities aim to reach.

For a comprehensive overview of the criteria, please visit the Funding Information page. Before submitting a proposal, it is essential to carefully review all criteria to ensure that your organisation is eligible for funding and that you have provided all relevant information for the selection process.

How to apply

Please note that we don’t provide a pre-made form, so you can submit your proposal in your preferred format. However, please keep the application (excluding the optional front page) and annexes within three (3) pages, use PDF format, and write the application in English.

Submit your proposal via email to ekoenergyfunds sll.fi no later than Friday, 9th February. If you are still waiting for a response within three working days after submission, please contact us for confirmation.

By submitting a proposal to EKOenergy, you agree to share it with reviewers, including the EKOenergy Secretariat and a group of external experts. Please refrain from including confidential material, and note that all proposals will be retained for monitoring beyond the call period.

Additional information

If you need more information about EKOenergy’s Climate Fund, you can visit our Funding Information page. There, you can find FAQs, funding exclusions, and a detailed description of the selection process.

Additionally, you can explore the list of previously funded projects to get an idea of the types of projects that are typically supported by the Climate Fund.

If you still have questions or cannot find the information you are looking for from the above-listed resources, you can reach out to Laura Blomberg, EKOenergy’s Climate Fund Coordinator, at laura.blomberg sll.fi.

Published: 11 December 2023