The EU has issued a 'Call for Proposals' for bioenergy projects to help the poor. The European Commission has approved US $276 million (EU €220 million) for the ACP-EU Energy Facility. This will allow the Commission to co-finance selected biofuel and bioenergy projects contributing to sustainable energy services in the African, Caribbean and Pacific Island countries. The €220 million is the largest single allocation ever made by the EU for energy projects in the ACP countries.  The 'Call for Proposals' takes place on the 19th June.

 

It follows the launch of the EU Energy Initiative for Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Energy (EUEI) at the World Summit of Sustainable Development in 2002, which are intended to contribute to the Millennium Development Goals.  These goals include that of halving the number of people living in extreme poverty (defined as less than $1 a day) by 2015.

 

The underlying principle of the Energy Facility is to provide grants to projects enhancing the access of the poor to energy services.

 

It's innovative approach lies in encouraging collaboration between public and private sectors.

 

Energy Facility funding is open to ACP state organisations, ACP and EU non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society, the private sector, and international organisations.

 

The Call for Proposals will be launched on the 19th of June 2006.

 

Projects financed by the ACP-EU Energy Facility must help to achieve the following:

 

1. improve access to modern energy services by poor rural people living in villages, rural towns, and remote islands

2. support good governance and better management in the energy sector by empowering the poor and raising awareness of their needs with regard to access to energy

3. facilitate future large-scale investment programmes in infrastructure and distribution in rural areas.

 

The Energy Facility also contributes to the new 'Partnership on Infrastructure' which is being developed between the African Union and the EU, and provides technical assistance and institutional support to NEPAD.

 

The ACP-EC Energy Facility puts into practice the EU's commitment to help the poorest communities in the African, Caribbean and Pacific regions. It will provide a substantial contribution to basic services that are essential to a decent livelihood, such as cooking, lighting, cooling, heating, pumping and telecommunications.

 

You are invited to submit your proposal here:

 

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/europeaid/projects/energy/cfp_en.htm 

 

David Smith, Singapore