The EC invites applications to promote expanded access to rural energy in Lesotho. Activities should focus on commercial opportunities for solar innovations in households; demonstration of mini-grid projects; and support for businesses that offer sustainable energy products and services in rural Lesotho. The lead applicant should be an NGO, private company, research institute, public sector operator, or local authority in Lesotho or an EU member state. International (inter-governmental) organisations are also eligible. Reference EuropeAid/155297/DD/ACT/LS. The deadline for concept notes is 07 June 2017. Link
energy
Smart Villages — Energy Innovation Challenge 2017
The Energy Innovation Challenge welcomes ideas for social enterprises powered by off-grid energy in East Africa. Top applications will win the opportunity to develop their idea into a full business model and pitch for seed funding at the Dare to Change Dar conference in September. The closing date to apply is 08 May 2017. Link
Global Cleantech Innovation Programme — Clean Technology for SMEs 2017
The Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP) for small and medium enterprises is co-sponsored by the GEF, UNIDO, and national institutions in the participating countries. The GCIP aims to spur local innovations in energy efficiency, green buildings, renewable energy, waste management, and water efficiency. Each country manages a competition to identify promising entrepreneurs and a business accelerator to connect them to potential investors, customers, and partners. The rules of participation, and the benefits of the program, vary by country. The remaining application deadlines include: 10 May for Turkey, Link; 09 June for Malaysia, Link; and 10 June for Pakistan, Link.
African Union Commission — Pan African University Scholarships for Postgraduate Education 2017-2018
The Pan African University (PAU) seeks to develop institutions of excellence in science, technology, innovation, social sciences, and governance in Africa. The African Union offers the Pan African University Scholarship for masters and PhD degree programs at four PAU Institutes (in Algeria, Cameroon, Kenya, and Nigeria). Subject areas for the postgraduate educational programs include agriculture, water resources, arid lands management, energy, environmental management, and many others — varying among the PAU Institutes. The scholarships program is open to applicants from African countries and the African Diaspora. The deadline for applications (English, French) is 31 May 2017. Link
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development — Central European Initiative, Know-How Exchange 2017
The Know-how Exchange Program co-finances the transfer of know-how and best practices from EU to non-EU member countries of the Central European Initiative (CEI). Thematic areas in the current call by KEP-Italy include energy, environment, and agriculture and rural development (among others). Proposals are submitted by organizations in CEI member states which are also member states of the European Union for knowledge transfers to non-EU member states of the CEI. The non-EU members of the CEI are Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, and Ukraine. The maximum grant is €40 thousand. The closing date for expressions of interest is 29 June 2017. Link
Singularity University — Global Grand Challenge Awards 2017
The Global Grand Challenge Awards invite applications from startup enterprises that are attacking the world’s most difficult problems. Three teams in each of 12 tracks will be invited to California in August 2017 to present their work at the Singularity University Global Summit EXPO. One winner will be selected from each track to be assisted with recognition and exposure. The tracks include disaster resilience, energy, environment, food, water, and others. The application deadline is 31 July 2017. Link
Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland — Scotland’s Grants for Zambia and Rwanda
The Scottish Government announces the 2017 round of funding for its Zambia and Rwanda development programs. The focus regions are Central Province in Zambia, and Western and Southern Provinces in Rwanda. Among the priority themes are agriculture, and renewable energy as a component in other priority themes. Applications are restricted to Scottish-based organizations. The closing date for submitting concept notes is 04 May 2017. Link
Research Council of Norway — NORGLOBAL-2 and Sustainable Development Goals
The Research Council of Norway invites proposals addressing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The call has a special emphasis on global education, but is also open to other themes — including the environment, climate, and renewable energy. Norwegian research institutes, universities, and university colleges are invited to apply for funding. Proposals should include leading international development researchers and researchers from developing countries, when relevant. The application deadline is 24 May 2017. Link
Swedish International Development Agency — Training in Strategic Environmental Assessment
Sida funds short-term training in selected development topics for participants from developing countries. The Africa program includes a course on strategic environmental assessment, with a focus on energy. Participants may be nominated by organizations and agencies within the energy sector that work actively with energy plans, policies, and programmes at national or regional levels. The following countries are invited to nominate candidates: Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia. The training will be provided in two parts, first in Sweden and then to be decided. The closing date for applications is 31 July 2017. Link
IUCN-Oceania — Small Grants for Energy in the Pacific Islands
The Energy Small Grants Programme provides funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency in participating countries of the Oceania region. These energy projects should be coupled with strong linkages to biodiversity and ecosystem conservation. Applications are invited from communities, civil society organisations, and private enterprises. The participating countries are Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. Funding is up to US$20 thousand. The deadline for applications is 01 June 2017. Link