Deadline: 9-Dec-22
The USAID Energy Secure Philippines (ESP) Activity is looking for a Partner that can develop, launch, and sustain innovative actions that strengthen and promote the role of women in energy resilience and security.
USAID ESP has on-going partnerships with USAID’s Cities Development Initiatives or CDIs namely the cities of Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Tagbilaran, General Santos, Legaspi, Puerto Princesa, and Zamboanga. However, other LGUs that have viable prospects or have exemplary initiatives for energy innovation and climate action can also be considered for the grant. Preference will be given to locations with existing USAID projects, not necessarily implemented in the CDI sites.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) 2022 Policy on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment affirms that gender equity and equality and women’s empowerment are fundamental for the realization of human rights and key to effective and sustainable development outcomes. For societies to thrive, women and girls, men and boys, and gender diverse individuals must have equal and safe access to and control over resources such as education, health care, capital, technology, water and sanitation services, land, markets, and justice. They also must have equal rights and opportunities as business owners, citizens, peacebuilders, and leaders.
Objectives
- Women significantly contribute to and benefit from innovations on energy security and resilience. As major consumers of energy, women have largely influenced the delivery of domestic energy as well as the design of energy consuming household technologies. As entrepreneurs, women not only scaled up the demand for energy but also ushered in business and financing models that both harness and support sustainable energy use. As leaders, networkers, and educators, women have influenced and continue to be positioned to influence energy policies and programs at the local, national, and international levels. This significant role is far-reaching as this impacts on sectors that need the most access to energy security including but not limited to children, low income families, schools in remote areas, and young adults. The higher vulnerability of these sectors to extreme weather events further underscores the need to support women-led initiatives that respond to the impacts of climate change.
- To further leverage and harness the significant role of women in energy innovation, this call for applications aim to support grants that:
- Strengthen institutions, organizations, networks, or enterprises that promote competition in the energy market.
- Scale-up and/or replicate energy efficiency and conservation initiatives.
- Integrate the productive use of energy with innovative financing and business modeling
- Mobilize information technology, social medial, and creatives to promote energy security and resilience.
- Increase and strengthen the participation of women in mentoring, training, and education programs focused on renewable energy and/or energy efficiency.
Funding Information
- Funding amount for the award With PhP15,000,000 to PhP20,000,000 per award.
- Duration of award Twenty-four (24) months to be budgeted with 2 annual tranches and not exceeding the Activity life-of-project ending on October 2025.
Expected Results and Performance Indicators
- Anticipated outputs for this grant, at a minimum, will include the following:
- A comprehensive assessment, plan, or design that will guide the whole grant.
- Depending on the objective being addressed – delivery of grant “software” such as training modules, campaign collaterals, apps and digital platforms, financing models, company registration, and other intangible but essential assets.
- Depending on the objective being addressed – delivery of grant “hardware” such as installation of RE or EE equipment or technology, conduct of actual events and trainings, people trained, investments, cost share, and other tangible assets.
- A policy paper that combines the results of the various activities, focused on a predetermined policy area concerning energy resilience and security.
- Initiation or establishment of a field school or online learning site focused on climate action and energy resilience.
- A communications plan that promote the findings or results of the grant, and the actual conduct of 1-2 learning events.
- A sustainability plan that goes beyond project and funding life cycle.
- Monthly quick updates, full quarterly reports, and a comprehensive final Terminal Report.
- Applicants will be expected to comply with USAID ESP reporting requirements, including the reporting of grant activities, numbers of individuals reached, documentation of lessons learned, and evidence of organizational networking. A grantee will submit monthly and annual narrative and financial reports. RTI will provide feedback to grantees on reports submitted.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements to qualify for funding under this RFA: This grant prioritizes applications from women-led or women-based groups, organizations, or enterprises, and they can be start-ups or established entities. Partnerships and collaboration with more mature institutions and companies is highly encouraged. Applicants and their partners must have:
- Demonstrated experience working in women led initiatives, and experience in the energy sector will be advantageous.
- Sound technical approach, understanding of local context, and qualified proposed personnel.
- Demonstrated financial capacity or a functional financial system that can manage or accommodate a large USG grants.
- Cost realistic budget
- All Energy Secure Philippines grant support may not be extended to the following:
- Organizations that are not legally registered
- Any entity that has been found to have misused USAID funds in the past (unless specifically approved by USAID contracting officer)
- Any entity that will have conflict of interest by participating in the call for grants
- Political parties, groupings, or institutions or their subsidiaries and affiliates
- Any entity whose name appears on the List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement and Non-procurement Programs
- Any entity with a member that appears on the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) and Blocked Persons list
- Any entity with members directly or indirectly involved in money laundering, acts of terrorism, gambling, prostitution and child trafficking, drugs
- All Energy Secure Philippines grant funds cannot be utilized for the following activities;
- Purchases of restricted goods, such as agricultural commodities, motor vehicles, pharmaceuticals, contraceptive products, pesticides, used equipment and fertilizers without the previous approval by the USAID Contracting Officer through RTI.
- Prohibited goods under USAID regulations, including but not limited to police or law enforcement equipment, abortion equipment and services, weather modification equipment, luxury goods, and gambling equipment.
- Purchases of goods or services restricted or prohibited under the prevailing USAID source/origin/ nationality and other regulations; or from countries or suppliers as may be identified by USAID’s consolidated list of debarred, suspended, or ineligible subcontractors. This includes prohibitions under Section 889 (a) (1) (b) which states specific telecommunications technology providers not allowed for US funding.
- Construction, infrastructure, renovation, and rehabilitation projects. Definition of “Construction” for purposes of this manual means: construction, alteration, or repair (including dredging and excavation) of buildings, structures, or other real property and includes, without limitation, improvements, renovation, alteration and refurbishment. The term includes, without limitation, roads, power plants, buildings, bridges, water treatment facilities, and vertical structures.
Application content must include:
- Completed Application Cover Sheet with project title; organization name and contact information including contact person, address, telephone, fax, and email address.
- Executive Summary (not to exceed 1 page)
- Completed and signed Grant Application Form
- Program description.
- Implementation Plan.
- Monitoring and evaluation plan.
- Sustainability Plan. Describe how project activities will be sustained beyond USAID ESP funding.
- Budget and Budget Narrative.
- Completed Organizational Control Environment Questionnaire
- Past Performance.
- Anti-Terrorism Certification.
- Proof of registration in the Philippines.
For more information, visit https://www.rti.org/sites/default/files/usaid_esp_guc_rfa-2022-05_women_in_energy_leadership_innovation_and_resilience.pdf