Deadline: 26 May 2024 23:59 UTC
Applications are now open for PREO grant funding to support renewable energy innovators in Pacific Island Countries-focused projects. This open call will accept applications from enterprises targeting innovative productive use of renewable energy (PURE) business models across multiple applications including solar water pumping for irrigation, cold storage for food, agro-processing of crops (e.g., milling, drying, oil press), electric mobility for taxi drivers and fishing boats, and more. Applications are accepted for projects to be delivered in – Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu.
Background
The Powering Renewable Energy Opportunities (PREO) programme is a demand-led, productive use of renewable energy (PURE) programme stimulating partnerships, innovation and learning to address the needs and improve the livelihoods of communities in of sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Pacific Island Countries. PREO’s mission is to enable businesses to harness clean energy to improve incomes, build climate resilience and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Since 2019, PREO has been supported by the IKEA Foundation and UK aid via the Transforming Energy Access platform and delivered by the Carbon Trust and Mercy Corps Energy 4 Impact. As of April 2023, PREO had funded 34 grants to private sector and non-profit enterprises across 12 African countries.
This open call is the first expansion of PREO grant funding beyond sub-Saharan Africa, to fund Pacific Island Countries-focused projects, with the support of UK aid through the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform.
PREO also provides technical assistance through the PREO Technical Assistance Facility to help innovators execute PURE-related initiatives and enterprise development, and to improve their activities’ viability, efficacy, and local impact. We draw on our pool of experts involved in the Transforming Energy Access platform to address key knowledge gaps and offer advice.
Priority sectors
- Agro Processing: renewably-powered milling, drying, oil press, egg incubation and pulping;
- Cooling: positive (between 0°C and 15°C) and negative (between -15°C and 0°C) temperature renewably-powered cold storage, freezing, and milk chilling
- Renewably-powered water solutions
- E-Waste Recycling: end-of-life PURE products, as well as supportive renewable energy assets;
- Textiles: manufacturing or mending shoes and sewing clothes commercially
- E-Mobility: electric transport including electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers and boats (among others)
- Education: renewably-powered appliances for educational use
- Healthcare: renewably-powered appliances for medical use
- Hospitality: renewably-powered systems or appliances for hospitality use
- Information and communication technology (ICT): use of digital technology such as computers or phones to manage and process information and to communicate with others. It is used in various fields, including education, business, healthcare, entertainment, and many others
- Renewably-powered street lighting
Energy sources
Energy sources should be renewable for example biogas, geothermal, hydropower, solar PV, solar thermal, wind power.
Geographic scope
PREO will only accept applications for projects to be delivered in the following Pacific Island Countries – Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu.
Locally-led projects are encouraged, but applicants can be based outside of the geographic scope, provided the project has a local partner or office located in one of the target countries.
Funding Information
Applications are welcomed from the Pacific Island Countries listed above, for PURE enterprises or concepts requesting PREO catalytic grants from £50,000 to £200,000 in value
Eligibility Criteria
- Any legally registered and physically established business or non-profit organisation may apply for funding related to a project to be delivered in one of the Pacific Island countries mentioned in the geographic scope.
- The enterprise must propose a business model or concept centred around the productive use of renewable energy sources as described in the energy sources section.
- Applicants must clearly outline the business model including co-financing opportunities, the novelty of the concept or business model, how the grant will enhance job creation and promote gender inclusion, equity ownership including local ownership and involvement of local manufacturing, and the expected reduction in emissions.
How to apply
First step: Download the Excel application form in which applicants will be asked to provide details of the project, including a project implementation plan, budget, and risk register.
Second step: Open the online Google form, complete all questions, and upload all required supporting documents. (outlined in the Google form)
Third step: Lastly, upload the completed Excel form into the online Google form and hit submit.
(All supporting documents and the Excel application form should be uploaded at one time via the online Google form)
For more information:
Grant Application Guidance Note
Information to note:
To submit your application form, a Google Gmail account is required – Create a Gmail account – Gmail Help (google.com)
Once submitted, applicants will receive an automatically generated response confirming receipt of the application.
Applicants are encouraged to carefully read the Grant Application Guidance Note prior to applying and refer to the FAQ document as needed.
To find out more about the application process and requirements, catch up on the recording from the open call information webinar – Watch here
Review Criteria
The applications will be reviewed based on the following criteria:
- Novelty of the business model: Is the business model highly innovative or has it been in existence for a long time?
- Alignment of the business model to the call: Is the model to be demonstrated by the project the core business model for the applicant, and is it scalable and sustainable?
- Ability of the business to catalyse capital: Does the business have scope to attract private capital?
- Job creation: Does the business model open opportunities in job creation?
- Avoided emissions: Does the business model contribute to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Gender inclusion: Does the business model promote greater gender inclusion? E.g., job creation for women
- Local ownership and manufacturing: Does the business have local ownership, and/or does it involve local manufacturing?
Available resources
For more information about PREO, please visit the website www.preo.org/about/
Contact In case you have questions or if you would like additional information, please contact contact@preo.org