UK aid and Shell Foundation Join USAID in support of the Global LEAP Solar E-Waste Challenge
Global LEAP Solar E-Waste Challenge to offer $1,600,000 in grant funding
With support from the UK Government Department for International Development (DFID) Transforming Energy Access (TEA) programme, the Global LEAP Awards is excited to announce an increase in total grant funding available to companies under the Solar E-waste Innovation Challenge. Managed by the Carbon Trust, an Efficiency for Access program partner, TEA’s contribution has increased the overall award program from $1 million to $1.6 million USD.
“As the off-grid solar sector continues to scale across Africa it brings many benefits to citizens and enterprises across the continent. However, we should also be aware to avoid unintended consequences including the potential for the sector to produce a large amount of e-waste. In order to avoid an outcome where large amounts of e-waste are disposed of unsafely, DFID, via the TEA programme, is committing a further $600,000 to Off-grid Solar E-Waste Challenge.”
–Jon Lane, Carbon Trust
Furthermore, as a complement to the $1.6 million USD in grant funding available, Shell Foundation will offer selected applicants access to additional venture building support during the pilot project implementation. The growing number of partners joining the Solar E-Waste Challenge is indicative of energy access stakeholders’ commitment to innovative approaches for off-grid solar industry sustainable growth and environmental responsibility.
“With DFID’s and Shell Foundation’s contribution to the Global LEAP Solar E-Waste Challenge, we are now able to support even more innovations and business models that address responsible e-waste management in the off-grid solar sector. This is a direct example of the sort of partnership and collaboration we seek under the Scaling Off-Grid Energy Grand Challenge for Development.”
– Maurice Kent, Director of Scaling Off-Grid Energy
Launched in March, the Global LEAP Solar E-Waste Challenge will identify and fund innovative approaches to sustainable e-waste management in the off-grid solar sector in sub-Saharan Africa, which includes solar lanterns, solar home systems, and solar-powered appliances at their end-of-life. Grant funding is available for recycling and e-waste management companies who work with (or plan to work with) the off-grid solar sector, other specialized e-waste service providers, and off-grid solar distributors who want to pilot or expand end-of-life operations.
The application window closes on 15 May 2019. Please find more details about the Global LEAP Solar E-Waste Challenge and review the Frequently Asked Questions here: globalleapawards.org/e-waste.
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About the Shell Foundation: The Shell Foundation is a UK-registered charity, founded by Shell in 2000, that creates and scales business solutions to enhance access to energy and affordable transport. The Shell Foundation supports pioneering social enterprises and institutions that serve low-income communities across Africa and Asia lacking access to affordable energy and transport services.
About the Scaling Off-Grid Energy Grand Challenge for Development: Scaling Off-Grid Energy (SOGE) Grand Challenge for Development is a global partnership founded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, Power Africa, the U.K. Department for International Development, the African Development Bank, and the independent charity, Shell Foundation. By optimizing the collective resources and expertise of its partners, SOGE accelerates the growth of a dynamic, commercial off-grid energy market to provide clean, modern, and affordable energy access to the millions of households and businesses beyond the grid in sub-Saharan Africa.
About the Efficiency for Access Coalition: Efficiency for Access first kicked off in 2015 as a year-long call to action and collaborative effort led by Global LEAP & Sustainable Energy for All. Now, a number of donors have joined together under a scaled-up Efficiency for Access – a coalition promoting energy efficiency as a potent catalyst in global clean energy access efforts. Coalition programmes aim to scale up markets and reduce prices for super-efficient, off- and weak-grid appropriate products, support technological innovation, and improve sector coordination. Current Efficiency for Access Coalition members have programmes and initiatives spanning three different continents, 44 countries, and 19 key technologies.
About TEA: The Transforming Energy Access programme is leading development of innovative technologies, business models, partnerships and skills that will accelerate access to affordable clean energy services for household and enterprises in developing countries.
About the Global LEAP Awards: Global LEAP activities seek to transform the global market for off-grid energy products by harnessing the power of marketplace competition to drive technical and market innovations in the off-grid appliance sector. This unique program has evolved into a trusted global brand that serves as the de facto source of accurate, actionable information about the quality and energy performance of off-grid appliances. The Global LEAP program is implemented through the Efficiency for Access Coalition and managed by CLASP, with support from Power Africa, UK aid, Energising Development, Powering Agriculture, and USAID. Program partners include Ideas to Impact, IMC Worldwide, Energy 4 Impact, Acumen, Shell Foundation, and GOGLA.