DRC - Support Transition to Low Sulfur Fuel Standards - CD-24-003

Overview

This project responds to the request by the Ministry of Environment of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to move towards low sulfur fuel and vehicle standards. Through existing CCAC support, governments from across the continent are moving towards low sulfur fuels and cleaner vehicles, with harmonized standards in Western, Eastern, and Southern Africa.  This project will support DRC’s efforts on developing and adopting national low sulfur diesel fuel and vehicle emission standards and on collaborating with other countries in the region that have advanced standards in place.  

More information about CCAC funding and other progress can be found on DRC’s country page.

Who to involve

• Ministries of transport, hydrocarbons, environment and climate, industry and finance.
• Law enforcement agencies.
• Local government and municipalities.
• CCAC and other relevant international agencies working on transport.  
• Research institutions and universities.
• Civil society organizations.  
• Manufacturers.  
• Industry associations from the oil industry and vehicle industry

Expected results  

Outcome 1: The Government of DRC has strengthened knowledge and capacity to move to low sulfur fuels and emission standard by the end of the project and beyond

Indicator: Number of government entities with a demonstrated improved capacity for SLCP action

Output 1.1: Assessment to identify current fuel quality and vehicle emissions levels.

Output 1.2: Relevant stakeholders (national and city government authorities responsible for urban transport, national representatives of public transport operators, technicians, etc.) trained on the benefits and requirements of low sulfur fuels  

Output 1.3: Training on the establishment and implementation of fuel and vehicle emission standards, including setting standards for fuel imports and distribution.

Output 1.4: Media awareness materials  to promote low sulfur fuels in DRC.

Output 1.5: Media press conference to promote low sulfur fuels in DRC and share the low sulfur fuels and emission Implementation Plan and Standards.

Output 1.6 Sub-regional workshop with all the East African Community (EAC) member states and the Secretariat to share knowledge and best practices on low sulfur fuel import and distribution, vehicle testing, assessments on impacts of policies, etc.

Outcome 2: The government of DRC endorses draft low sulfur fuel and vehicle emission standards by the end of the project and beyond

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

Output 2.1 Multi-sectoral task team set up to develop a national low sulfur fuels and vehicle emission implementation plan and standards for DRC.

Output 2.2 Draft national low sulfur diesel fuel and vehicle emission standards developed, including setting timelines for compliance and roadmap on vehicle emission standards and I&M.

Output 2.3 Enforcement mechanisms and monitoring systems designed to ensure compliance with the standards.

Output 2.4 Development of guidelines for fuel testing and vehicle inspection to ensure compliance.

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. 
• 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.

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