Call for Proposals: Strengthen Capacity for Sustainable Cooling and Refrigeration – Rwanda

Deadline: 23-May-23

The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) is providing grants to strengthen the capacity of the Rwanda Energy Management Agency (REMA) to improve energy efficiency in cooling and refrigeration and to transform the Rwandan market towards energy efficient equipment that uses low Global Warming Potential (GWP) gases.

This project responds to a request made by the Ministry of Environment to build capacity for the reduction of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) from Rwanda’s cooling sector.

The project’s capacity building outputs should target non-state actors – large consumers, importers, households, and the private sector – as well as national and subnational government authorities and affiliated agencies, and align with existing policies to support their enforcement at the national and local level.

In 2019, Rwanda released its National Cooling Strategy, the first phase of the Rwanda Cooling Initiative which is a joint effort between the Government and the UN Environment Programme’s United for Efficiency initiative. The strategy aims to address the country’s growing need for air conditioners and refrigeration, while maintaining a green growth pathway. It recommends actions to expand access to cooling that conserve resources, including an upper limit on the electricity that can be used by typical refrigerators and air conditioners, and the promotion of alternative cooling solutions such as shading and natural ventilation.

This project will require close coordination and engagement with the Ministry of Environment (MoE), Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), Rwanda Standards Board (RSB), Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), Private Sector Federation (PSF), as well as sub-national actors.

Sector: Cooling

Funding Information

• Estimated budget: US$ 77,500

Expected Results

The project is expected to deliver at a minimum:

• The Government of Rwanda has demonstrated increased capacity to assess, model, and reduce HFC emissions from the cooling sector by the end of the project. 
  • Indicator: Number of government entities with improved capacity for SLCP action.
    • Output 1.1: Capacity building workshops to government authorities on HFC emissions assessment, modelling, and monitoring.
    • Output 1.2: Recommendations on financial mechanisms to scale-up the adoption of efficient cooling technologies.
• Mandatory certification scheme for technicians in the cooling sector is implemented by the relevant government authority.
  • Indicator: Number of laws, regulations or other policy instruments with SLCP targets or mitigation measures.
    • Output 2.1: Developed competency-based certification schemes for technicians with recommendations for implementation and enforcement.
• Cooling industry stakeholders have demonstrated increased capacity to assess, install, and service energy-efficient and climate-friendly cooling and refrigeration equipment by the end of the project.
  • Indicator: Number of non-government entities with improved capacity for SLCP action.
    • Output 3.1 Outreach programme targeting cooling and refrigeration technicians on Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), labelling systems, certification schemes (developed as part of project), and energy efficient equipment.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible for consideration, project proposals must meet the following requirements:
  • Complete and submitted before the deadline
  • Submitted by a non-governmental organization (NGO), intergovernmental organization (IGO), or other not-for-profit entity. Governments are not eligible to apply directly for funding in this call.
  • Requested funding is within the estimated budget amount, or includes a clear justification for additional expenses
  • Project duration is less than 24 months
  • Budget criteria are met and spending caps on expenses are respected
• For-profit entities may only participate in the project as stakeholders, co-funders, or end users. Applicants are encouraged to include for-profit entities in the development of the project proposal and/or during project implementation if their ownership of the proposed solution is key to the project’s success.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria:

• Presents a clear plan to achieve the required outcomes during the lifetime of the project or soon after
• Includes a plan or activities to enable the scaling up of, replication of, or sustained use of project results over time
• Sets out a clear approach for enabling or contributing to SLCP emissions reductions and resulting co-benefits
• Involves relevant stakeholders
• Approach is grounded in a strong understanding of relevant risks
• Complements other relevant initiatives, funding mechanisms, and existing policy processes
• Applicant demonstrates necessary capacity and experience to perform the work
• A realistic, cost-effective, and clearly justified budget and approach is proposed
• Project meets the minimum requirements for the OECD DAC gender equality marker Score 1

Selection Process

• A preliminary review of proposals submitted by the deadline will be conducted by members of the CCAC Secretariat, Funding Task Team, and Board, in consultation with relevant CCAC Partners.
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to present their proposals in further detail and to respond to follow-up questions about their application.
• Successful applicants will be invited to develop a Project Implementation Plan and Detailed Budget in consultation with the CCAC Secretariat and relevant CCAC Partners.

For more information, visit Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).