Call for Off-Grid Renewable Energy Partnerships in the Pacific and Timor-Leste

The Call for Off-grid Renewable Energy Partnerships in the Pacific and Timor-Leste is part of AIFFP’s Pacific Climate Infrastructure Financing Partnership (PCIFP). The PCIFP will expand AIFFP’s climate investments through a competitive grant program, implemented by the Business Partnerships Platform (BPP).

The Call for Partnerships aims to:

• Increase access to reliable and affordable off-grid renewable energy in rural and remote communities
• Improve lives, livelihoods and climate resilience of remote communities, especially women and people with disabilities
• Market test new technologies and approaches to foster investment in sustainable services to support the renewable energy transition

Scope

• The following renewable energy solutions would be considered to be within the scope of this Call for Partnerships:
  • Micro and mini-grids that meet the needs of small communities serving up to 300 households
  • Community and business infrastructure powered by renewable energy, such as solar irrigation and cold storage
  • Biogas and mini-hydropower solutions
  • Transitioning existing remote infrastructure reliant on fossil fuels to environmentally sustainable alternatives
  • Single household energy connections, including household solar, provided they clearly meet community needs and include viable strategies for maintenance
  • Upgrades to existing off-grid connections may also be considered
• All partnership concepts should support solutions that address specific climate impacts on women and create opportunities for women’s active participation and/or leadership. Partnerships are also strongly encouraged that seek to improve outcomes for people living with disability and/or socially excluded groups.
• All products and technologies implemented through these partnerships must be high quality and ethically sourced. Successful applications must be sure that any initiatives adhere to principles of efficient, effective, economical and ethical procurement of materials and products, including taking action to identify and address modern slavery risks in their procurement supply chains.

Funding Windows

The call will support two funding windows:

• Piloting Solutions: Piloting new business models and approaches
  • Funding Range: $50,000 – $250,000
  • Implementation Timing: 12 – 24 Months
• Scaling Solutions: Implementation of ready to scale business models
  • Funding Range: $250,000 – $1,000,000
  • Implementation Timing: 12 – 24 Months

Geographic Focus

• These partnerships are funded by Australia’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget.  Submissions are therefore invited for proposals that will implement in any ODA-eligible country in the Pacific and Timor-Leste (as determined by the OECD Development Assistance Committee), including proposals that implement in multiple ODA-eligible countries.

Eligibility Criteria

• Partnerships comprise either an individual organisation or a consortium of organisations, and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
• A co-contribution is required to ensure that both DFAT and partners are investing in the partnership and committed to long-term sustainability.
  • Piloting Solutions initiatives require a meaningful cash or in-kind contribution by partners, demonstrating commitment to the implementation and sustainability of the proposed initiatives. More significant cash contributions will be viewed favourably in the selection process.
  • Scaling Solutions initiatives require a cash co-contribution of at least 25% of the funding amount during the implementation period.
  • Additional cash and/or in-kind contributions beyond these requirements will be viewed favourably in the selection process.
• Applications may be submitted by businesses, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, governments, utilities or other entities. At least one private sector partner needs to be included in the partnership.
• Applications including women-owned businesses, Australian First Nations businesses or other Australian First Nations organisations are encouraged to apply.
• Applicant organisations can originate from any country but at least one partner must be eligible to operate in the Pacific or Timor-Leste.

For more information, visit Business Partnerships Platform (BPP).