Clean Energy Project Grants

The Clean Energy Project Grants will fund Wales-based organisations with links in Sub-Saharan Africa, to invest in technology and knowledge that will enable their partner communities to develop energy supplies and essential services that enable people to escape poverty without dependence upon carbon / fossil fuels.

The Welsh Assembly Government's Climate Change Division have developed a 'Carbon Investment Scheme' (CIS) which levies a cost on emissions from unavoidable Ministerial and staff travel, and invests the equivalent of these costs in schemes that reduce or avoid emissions through the Wales for Africa programme. WAG's scheme requires that investment projects :

• Contribute to reduction or avoidance of man-made greenhouse gas emissions (noting that emissions in the Tropics have a greater impact upon global climate change).
• Contribute to community development
• Contribute to or build upon existing Wales-based initiatives and links with Africa

For more information on how Wales and Welsh communities are reducing their carbon footprint visit: http://www.walescarbonfootprint.gov.uk/

What sort of 'clean energy' projects in Africa? 

• Solar panels
• Wind turbines
• Water generation
• Fuel efficient stoves
• Biogas
• NOT tree planting (for which we have a Forestry Projects Grant)

Successful community partnership projects may be eligible for assessment through WACL’s UN Gold Star Awards scheme, for the recognition of an Environment Gold Star. 

Eligibility Criteria: Clean Energy Project Grants...

• For up to £15,000 (a minimum 75% of expenditure towards project delivery / technology procurement and construction, maximum of 25% towards training, community capacity building, coordination, or M&E ; to be spent and reported against before 31 March 2012)
•  towards clean energy projects in Sub-Saharan African communities (may include provision for training / capacity building that enables projects to have a longer lasting impact)
•  can be applied for by Wales-based organisations (with an organisational bank account and signatories)
•  who have established partnerships with an African community
•  who can demonstrate part match funding contributions (cash and in-kind) from other sources such as community fundraising, public contributions, supporting organisations or African partners.
•  Your project should be able to specify the amount of carbon that will be saved.
• There should be involvement of individuals with appropriate knowledge / expertise to deliver and evaluate the project
•  There should be clear community involvement in the project activities, both in Africa and Wales.
•  The project should demonstrate how it can generate raised awareness, learning and / or behaviour changes in Wales, that may be inspired by the activities.    

The Grants Panel are unlikely to consider applications which:

• Are from individuals, or from communities of interest;
• Are from political organisations (or have political intent beyond advocacy);
•  May involve evangelising and / or prosthelytising (in any religion);
• Are for-profit ventures. 

 To Apply: 

Full terms and conditions of the Wales Africa Community Links Scheme, details of the grants panel's decision making and appeals processes, and information on other sources of funding, are available from www.walesafrica.org . Advice towards your application is available by emailing walesafrica@wcva.org.uk, or you can ring WCVA’s Wales Africa Community Links team on 08002 888 329.

If successful in applying for this grant, you will receive a grant offer letter with full terms and conditions from WCVA, which must be signed and returned before funds can be released. Following completion of the funded project activities, a Completion Report must be submitted to WCVA within one month, up to a max of 13 months after receipt of funds.