Open Call for EKOenergy’s Climate Fund

Deadline: 14-Feb-2025

Applications are now open for the EKOenergy’s Climate Fund to support new renewable electricity projects in low- and middle-income countries, creating positive impacts for local communities and advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

So far, EKOenergy’s Climate Fund has supported 122 renewable energy projects across various sectors with almost €4 million, most of which have been funded through their open calls.

Funding Information

• Open calls (open to all eligible organisations) are for short-term projects, usually lasting 6-18 months, with a current maximum funding of 40,000.00 EUR for first-time partners. The potential funding amount may be higher for organisations that have previously received funding from the Climate Fund.

Ineligible Projects

• Installations that will later generate carbon credits (‘offsets’) because they want to avoid double claims regarding the positive impacts of activities funded by EKOenergy
• General, unrestricted co-funding of larger projects where the exact purpose of their grant is not clearly defined
• Research projects with a focus on research activities
• Events, workshops, networking, and campaigns that are not part of a project
• Individuals

Eligibility Criteria

• The following selection criteria for EKOenergy’s Climate Fund projects ensure that short-term projects selected through open calls align with EKOenergy’s mission and have a positive, sustainable impact:
  • Non-Profit Status: They primarily invite applications from NGOs but also consider applications from other entities with a non-profit status, provided they are dedicated to environmental and social impact, and fulfil other criteria.
  • Organisational Capacity: The main applicant organisations should show they have the required capability of successfully completing the proposed projects. They prioritise organisations with a proven track record of success, as indicated by references.
  • Alignment with Strategic Goals: Proposed projects should align with the goals of the applicant organisation.
  • Community Engagement: The main applicant must have an established relationship and a deep understanding of the community the project aims to benefit. Prior engagement in project planning of the local community is a mandatory requirement to ensure the prioritisation of community needs.
  • Inclusive Projects in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Projects must benefit priority populations in low- or middle-income countries defined by the World Bank. Participant selection must be based on a genuine needs assessment, strictly prohibiting discrimination to ensure a fair and inclusive approach.
  • Climate and Environmental Benefits: Projects must exhibit clear climate and environmental benefits.
  • Environmental Responsibility and Inclusive Site Planning: Project activities, installations, or other infrastructure should not harm the local environment and must not take place or be built on sensitive land (land with unclear tenure rights or identified as culturally sensitive or ecologically significant by community stakeholders). They do not fund projects that require physically relocating people or assets due to construction, nor projects that force people to move away due to increased living costs.
  • Upholding Human Rights Principles: All funded projects must be bound by human rights principles, ensuring ethical implementation. For example, the projects must not involve work contributions from minors and must ensure adequate compensation for labour.
  • Funding Allocation: Most of the funding should go to the construction of new solar PV or wind energy installations and other essential technical assets, such as batteries and systems that will use the power generated by these installations.

Application Requirements

• In addition to meeting this eligibility criteria, project proposals must provide and include:
  • A Summary of a Comprehensive Project Plan that includes a rough budget, communication plan and clear exit strategy to ensure its ongoing benefits.
  • Stakeholder Engagement for meaningful collaborations and best possible project outcomes.
  • Renewable Energy Advocacy through promoting renewable energy to a broader audience, including local, regional, or national authorities or other relevant stakeholders.
  • Holistic Project Approach to provide benefits to the community in multiple ways, such as improving education and healthcare access, enhancing food security and livelihoods, or advocating for economic justice for women.

For more information, visit EKOenergy ecolabel.