USAID Energy Secure Philippines Activity: Women in Energy Leadership, Innovation, and Resilience

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.