Humanitarian Grand Challenge Fund
humanitariangrandchallenge.org info@humanitariangrandchallenge.org
Summary

A Multi Donor innovation challenge fund that focuses on innovations in humanitarian contexts caused by conflict. This includes research and development into adaptation and adoption of new clean energy technologies such as sustainable energy solutions though solar mini-grids, clean cooking, solar powered health services, and innovative financing mechanisms, in countries affected by conflict or displacement. This programme is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Efficiency for Access Design Challenge
efficiencyforaccess.org EforAchallenge@est.org.uk
Summary

The Efficiency for Access Design Challenge is a global, multi-disciplinary competition that empowers teams of university students to help accelerate clean energy access. The Challenge invites teams of students to create affordable, high-performing off-grid appliances and enabling technologies. Since it’s inception in 2019 the Design Challenge has provided participating students with a series of webinars, a resource library, a knowledge sharing platform, mentoring and prototyping grants. This project is supported by the Low Energy Inclusive Appliances (LEIA) programme.

Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP)
esmap.org esmap@worldbank.org
Summary

The Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) is led by the World Bank and aims to support activities within the energy access sector globally by delivering critical international market data and sector tracking products, on a cost-sharing basis with multiple donor bilateral and philanthropic partners. ESMAP tools include the SDG 7 Tracking Framework, the Multi-Tier Framework for Energy Access, the Regulatory Index for Sustainable Energy (RISE), and the Global Electrification Platform. ESMAP develops and maintains specialised energy datasets and analysis relevant across the Ayrton Fund’s scope. ESMAP also delivers training and advice to World Bank Task Team Leaders and client Governments on emerging energy technologies and related policies, and capacity building for national statistical offices in monitoring and tracking SDG 7.1.1 and 7.1.2 indicators. ESMAP is supported by the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform and the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) programme.

Mini-Grid Funders Group
minigrids.org TEAAdmin@carbontrust.com
Summary

The Mini-Grid Funders Group (MGF) consists of ~30 sector funders and financiers (representing a total committed investment of around $1.8bn into mini grids globally) coordinating efforts and sharing lessons. The MGF is chaired by the World Bank, African Development Bank, and FCDO, with the Carbon Trust (through the Transforming Energy Access platform) acting as the Secretariat. The group’s objective is to deploy committed funding quickly and effectively to deliver clean energy access to as many unserved communities as possible via clean energy-based mini-grid electrification.

International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF)
gov.uk/government/publications ISPFenquiries@odamanagement.org
Summary

The International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) is designed to enable potential and foster prosperity. It will support UK researchers and innovators to work with international partners on some of the most pressing themes of our time. ISPF will give researchers and innovators access to global talent, large-scale facilities, research ecosystems and markets to swiftly move forward ideas to greater maturity, applicability, and commercialisation. It will stimulate research impact in line with the UK’s ambition to become a global science and tech superpower. This programme is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

ISPF funding opportunities are published on individual ISPF partner websites (available in the link above) and target regions vary from partner to partner.

Energy Catalyst – led by Innovate UK
energycatalyst.ukri.org energycatalyst@innovateuk.ukri.org
Summary

Energy Catalyst, led by Innovate UK, is a well-established open call grant funding programme that runs in regular tranches to support innovators to develop new technologies and business models that can improve lives in Africa and Asia. Energy Catalyst accelerates the innovation needed to end energy poverty through both financial and advisory (incubation) support, and by building strategic partnerships and uncovering new insights. Energy Catalyst is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) through the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform, and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

Pioneer Energy Investing Initiative: Powering Livelihoods Using Solar (PEII+)
acumen.org https://acumen.org/contact/
Summary

The Pioneer Energy Investing Initiative: Powering Livelihoods Using Solar (known as PEII+) is a multi-million dollar, 5-year initiative led by Acumen and supported by the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform. PEII+ invests early-stage capital in enterprises that provide renewable energy-powered productive use of energy (PUE) solutions. PEII+ also provides post-investment support in the form of impact measurement and technical assistance (TA) grants. Local entrepreneur accelerators also supports locally-led enterprises in India and East Africa, as well as insight and thought leadership, drawing key lessons for deploying new investment vehicles.

Efficiency for Access R&D Fund
efficiencyforaccess.org/rd-fund EforAgrants@est.org.uk
Summary

The Efficiency for Access R&D fund invests in R&D projects with the aim of accelerating the availability, affordability, efficiency and performance of a range of low energy inclusive appliances that are particularly suited to developing country contexts and promote social inclusion. This project is supported by the Low Energy Inclusive Appliances (LEIA) programme.

Crowd Power (CP)
energy4impact.org info@energy4impact.org
Summary

Crowd Power seeks to grow the debt and equity energy access crowdfunding sector to become commercially sustainable and enable early and growth stage businesses to access crowdfunding. Crowd Power does this through: platform support (campaigns, de-risking and investor outreach); partnerships with lead fund investors (e.g. Charm Impact); oversight of the Energise Africa platform; and research and dissemination of learnings. Crowd Power is led by Mercy Corps Energy 4 Impact (E4I) and supported by the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform.

Mobile for Development Strategic Partnership (M4D)
www.gsma.com info@gsma.com
Summary

Project researching and developing innovative mobile-based technologies for developing countries, including in the clean energy sector. This programme is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).