Energy-for-poverty projects sought

The United Nations is calling for proposed “energy for poverty” projects, with the proponent of the winning pitch to be given access to a $1-million fund.

According to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (Desa), the 2017 Energy Grant carries the theme “Sustainable Energy for Eradicating Poverty and Promoting Prosperity in a Changing World.

The UN Desa said applicants should be able to demonstrate leadership and innovation in energy-for-poverty alleviation and stimulating economic opportunity, as well as willingness and ability to implement knowledge transfer through capacity building activities aimed at replicating and scaling up successful experiences and lessons learned.

Accepted are proposals from an individual, institution or partnership based on past and current achievements.

The grant program is funded exclusively through extra-budgetary contributions, with the initial contributions provided by the China Energy Fund Board, a nongovernment organization which has a special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council.

To apply for or to be nominated to the grant, the candidate should be a person or an organization in legal existence that “shares and observes the purposes and principles of the (UN).”

The candidate should not be in any financial distress nor any threat of significant litigation or prosecution.

Also, the candidate should be “implementing, for a minimum of three years, initiatives and actions that may relate, but are not limited, to the increased use of new and renewable energy resources.”