Rwanda - Strengthen capacity for sustainable cooling and refrigeration [RW-23-002]

Overview

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. More information on Rwanda’s involvement in the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) is available on their Partner Page.

Rwanda has positioned itself as a global leader on Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) phase-down under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol and efficient cooling. 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.

At a minimum, this project will 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. 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.

More information on Rwanda's involvement in the CCAC is available on their Partner Page. 

Who to involve

Successful delivery of 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.
 

Expected results

Applicants are encouraged to propose additional outputs as needed to ensure the expected project outcomes are achieved. Applicants can determine the scope of outputs if not specified. The project is expected to deliver at a minimum:

1. 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 a demonstrated 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.

2. Mandatory certification scheme for technicians in the cooling sector is implemented by the relevant government authority.

Indicator: Number of laws, regulations, or other policy mechanisms with SLCP targets or mitigation measures formally adopted, endorsed, and/or implemented.

Output 2.1: Developed competency-based certification schemes for technicians with recommendations for implementation and enforcement

3. 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 a demonstrated 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.

Application process

Eligibility requirements

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. 

Please note that entities will be required to provide the last three (3) audited financial statements to be eligible for CCAC funding. These statements may be provided along with the application for funding or at the request of the CCAC Secretariat during the evaluation process.

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.  

How to apply

Eligible applicants are invited to apply using the Application Form and Excel Budget Form. Specific instructions on completing these forms are available in both documents. 

Applicants may choose to follow the cost range proposed above OR propose a different budget supported by a clear justification. However, applicants should note that cost efficiency will play a significant role in the selection process.

The completed Application Form and Excel Budget Form should be submitted to secretariat [at] ccacoalition.org (secretariat[at]ccacoalition[dot]org).

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.

The selection process may take up to 6 months after the closing date of the call for proposals. Due to the high volume of requests, the CCAC will not respond to requests for updates or feedback during this time.

Note: Due diligence 

In addition to eligibility criteria outlined above, qualified UNEP/CCAC implementers* must meet the following criteria: 

• Have adequate financial resources to perform the contract and meet all existing commitments (financial health)
• Be able to provide proof of registration, proof of not-for-profit status and audited financial statements for the last three completed fiscal years 
• Have a record of satisfactory performance with UNEP/CCAC, when applicable; and  - Not have been suspended or debarred by UNEP/CCAC or another UN agency. UNEP/CCAC also considers entities included in the Security Council Resolution Lists to be ineligible for UNEP/CCAC agreements.

* (inter)governmental entities/ United Nations are exempt from this requirement

Procurement

As a general rule, Implementation Agreements allow for incidental procurement only, and as such, total costs in the following categories must fall below a certain threshold*:

• Contractual Services
• Equipment, Vehicles and Furniture
• Operating and other Direct costs
• Supplies, Commodities and Materials

*Agreements of $200,000 and below: up to $20,000 or 15% of total budget, whichever is lower.

*Agreements of above $200,000: up to $40,000 or 15%. * United Nations agencies are exempt from this requirement.