All applications must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. (Helsinki time, GMT +3) on May 12, 2023. | EEP Africa Call for creative, early-stage sustainable energy initiatives
In Southern and Eastern Africa, EEP Africa welcomes businesses, start-ups, and social enterprises to submit applications for creative early-stage sustainable energy initiatives that are in the active development phase. For EEP Africa funding, every application must show a distinct need and additionality.
Who may apply?
The target countries for EEP Africa are Botswana, Burundi, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Private companies, start-ups, and social enterprises from any country with early-stage projects in one or more of these countries are welcome to apply. Prior to the EoI opening date, all applicants must have been duly registered legal entities for at least six (6) months. While applicants might be based anywhere, they must show that they are actively involved in the community. Applications from locally driven organizations and women-owned businesses are especially encouraged.
The qualifying requirements outlined in the CfP 2023 Application Guidelines must be met by all applicants.
Financing
Grants and repayable grants between EUR 200,000 and EUR 1,000,000 are available to applicants. Depending on the project phase and firm age, the minimum amount of required co-financing ranges from 30 to 50% of the overall project budget. For more detailed information on finance, please see the CfP 2023 Application Guidelines and Project Implementation Manual.
How can I apply?
There are two stages to the application process: an Expression of Interest (EoI) and a thorough Full Proposal. Following the submission of the EOI, EEP Africa will provide a virtual bootcamp and pitching sessions for the longlisted candidates. The applicants are shortlisted to move on to the full proposal round based on the pitch-interviews.
Before starting the application process, please take the time to carefully read the application guidelines. Information on eligibility requirements and evaluation standards is provided in great depth in the rules and other materials referenced below.
- Application Guidelines: Call for Proposals 2023 (PDF)
- NDF Environmental & Social Policy 2021 (PDF)
- NDF Policy on Anticorruption and Integrity (PDF)
- Project Implementation Manual April 2023 (PDF)
- FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
Please be aware that only proposals submitted online through the EEP Africa application website will be considered. Email-based proposals won’t be taken into consideration.
Online Aplication
- Please sign up for the online application system for EEP Africa. By logging in with the same account throughout the application process, you can preserve your adjustments and go on working on your application. Every time you make an edit, don’t forget to save it. Press “Submit” to send your application (Expression of interest) to EEP Africa once it has been properly completed. The Expression of Interest cannot be changed once it has been submitted.
- We firmly advise using the in-platform support feature to communicate any queries or issues you may have once the application process has begun.
- Please submit your inquiries to cfp@eepafrica.org if this is not possible.
- Send any queries or requests for clarifications on the application form and procedure by Friday, May 5, 2023.
- It’s possible that you already have a SmartME account if you have trouble signing up for SmartME. If you have applied for additional grants where they too use the SmartME system, such circumstances might occur. The guidelines on how to continue are as follows:
- Please enter into SmartME using your current login information (email and password) via the EEP Africa homepage or by going to the specific SmartME link at https://smartme.adalia.fi/login/EEP-Africa in order to access the application in the EEP Africa fund.
- In the top-right corner of the screen, next to the “Sign in” button, type your email address and password.
- In the event that you already have a SmartME account, there is no need to register.
- Please click the “Sign out” button to exit the system if the “Email” and “Password” fields in the top-right corner are not visible.
- Then, go back to the URL for the EEP-Africa fund by typing it in again.
Typical Timeline
- Call for Proposals starts on April 14 at 12:00 (Helsinki time, GMT +3). Application deadline: May 29, 2023; notification to applicants who have been shortlisted
- 31 May 2023: Online Bootcamp
- 2023-06-5 – Pitching sessions
- 23 June 2023: Notification to candidates who made the short list
- 2023 from 23 June to 18 August: Submission of Full Proposal
- September 30, 2023: final judgment
- October to November 2023: From 2024 to 2026: Execution of the project (maximum 24 months)
