PREO promotes the productive use of renewable energy (PURE) in sub-Saharan Africa and the Pacific Island Countries to stimulate local economic development and support global progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG7, SDG8 & SDG13). By bolstering investment and engagement in the PURE sector, PREO strives to realise the potential of PURE as a key driver in a just and inclusive global clean energy transition. The PREO programme supports collaborative partnerships that are designed to meet the specific needs of local communities.
Applications are now open for PREO to support the implementation of Productive Uses of Renewable Energy (PURE) in sub-Saharan Africa. This open call will accept applications from enterprises seeking to pilot innovative PURE business models in sub-Saharan Africa in sectors including (but not limited to) solar water pumping for irrigation, cold storage for food, agro processing of crops (e.g. milling, drying, oil press), food value chain processing activities, electric mobility for taxi drivers and fishing boats, and more. These can be start-ups at advanced concept stage or operational small and medium-sized enterprises.
- Open to applications for projects to be delivered in sub-Saharan Africa countries, excluding South Africa.
- Any legally registered and physically established business or non-profit organisation based in a sub-Saharan Africa country may apply.
- Up to 20 grants are available, for up to EUR 200,000 each (though applications up to EUR 300,000 will be considered).
- Projects should be 12-24 months in duration, and must be completed by the end of June 2027.
- The call will open on 9 December and will close on 31 January 2025 at 23:59 UTC.
- To be eligible, applicants must be piloting a new, or pivoting an existing, business model and be able to demonstrate the viability of a solution that focuses on the productive use of renewable energy, with the grants used to scale these business models and innovations.
Energy sources
Energy sources should be renewable for example biogas, geothermal, hydropower, solar PV, solar thermal, wind power.