Background – Funding for solar and wind energy projects in developing countries
In order to bring additionality to consumers’ choice of renewable energy and help realise Sustainable Development Goal 7 (affordable, clean energy for all), the EKOenergy ecolabel raises funds for new renewable electricity projects in developing countries and regions. For each MWh of sold EKOenergy-labelled energy, our licensees pay 0.10 € to EKOenergy’s Climate Fund. These contributions go to carefully selected renewable electricity projects aimed to alleviate energy poverty in developing countries and regions.
The projects we finance via our Climate Fund are usually small-scale solar (PV) and wind energy projects. All financed projects are managed by experienced organisations and are implemented in cooperation with local NGOs.
How to apply
We are now looking for 6-10 solar and wind energy projects of 10,000 to 40,000 € each.
We invite organisations to submit project proposals by 15 February 2022. The 15 best proposals will be invited to submit more information in April 2022.
The project proposal should be written in English and sent as a pdf document of maximum 3 pages to ekoenergyfunds@sll.fi (No later than 15 February 2022!)
The application should mention:
• The implementing organisation’s experience in the field of renewable energy.
• The implementing organisation’s bookkeeping and resources: What is your annual budget and what are the main sources of income? How is your bookkeeping audited?
• How much capacity will be installed and how many people will benefit from it? How do you guarantee the quality of the used materials? Where will the project take place? Please specify the physical location as well as a description of the area
• How do you plan to communicate about the project? How will you communicate at the local level, in the country where the project is being implemented? And how can you help us share the news about your project towards energy consumers in general and users of EKOenergy-labelled energy in particular?
• How will the project be followed-up after the installation? How will you ensure the adequate operation and maintenance of the project during 30 years? How will you involve the local community in the operation and maintenance of the project during 30 years?
• What is the impact on the local community? (including links with the UN Sustainable Development Goals). How is the local community involved in the project?
The reporting procedure will be specified in the contract between EKOenergy and the beneficiary, and will depend on the size of the project and the local conditions.
Evaluation of the applications
We will evaluate the applications based on the extent to which it fulfils these criteria:
• Experience, solvency and reliability of the main applicant + strong involvement of local organisations/NGOs (20%)
• Quality and efficiency of the project preparation and presentation: effectiveness, efficiency, relevance (20%)
• Impact in terms of installed volume and beneficiaries (compared to the cost of the project) (20%)
• Long term viability, sustainability and replicability of the project (20%)
• Opportunities for advertising the benefits of renewable energy, both locally (by the beneficiary) and internationally (by EKOenergy) (20%)
Published on 14 December 2021
