Liberia - Strengthening Clean Household Energy Transition in Liberia

Overview

This project responds to a request by Liberia's Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a household energy assessment using the WHO “Household Energy Assessment Rapid Tool” that will serve as input to inform revisions and operationalize strategies under Liberia's climate and health policies, and to include clean household energy priorities into national frameworks and action plans.

Household air pollution is a major environmental and public health challenge in Liberia, where a large portion of the population particularly in rural areas—relies on traditional biomass fuels and inefficient cooking methods such as three-stone fires with minimal access to electricity.  In 2004, it was estimated that over 95% of the population relied on firewood, charcoal, and palm oil for their energy needs, and in 2018, the proportion had remained much the same. This widespread use of polluting fuels exposes women and children disproportionately to harmful emissions that contribute to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular disease, and premature deaths. In addition to its significant health burden, household air pollution contributes to ambient air pollution and climate change through the release of black carbon and other pollutants.

The National Energy Policy (2018) and the rural electrification strategy and master plan (2016) both emphasize clean cooking; however, their implementation has lagged. The proposed project will strengthen Liberia’s national commitment to clean household energy by leveraging the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Indoor Air Quality Guidelines on Household Fuel Combustion and the associated Clean Household Energy Solutions Toolkit (CHEST). The project will serve as a platform for intersectoral collaboration, policy development, and targeted action to integrate clean energy into national development and health strategies. This project will also build national capacity of government staff on the BAR-HAP tool, which quantifies the benefits of action to reduce household air pollution.  

The project outputs should result in a comprehensive Household Energy Assessment using WHO’s HEART tool that will inform national planning and investment decisions in support of Liberia’s clean cooking transition; and will equip policymakers with the knowledge and tools needed to design effective programs, engage the health sector, and raise public awareness.  

Where relevant, this project should leverage the CCAC Air Quality Management Exchange (AQMx) Platform including through use of tailored guidance and resource library.  

Who to involve

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  
• Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MoCI)
• Ministry of Health (MoH)
• Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME)
• National Public Health Institute (NPHIL) 

Expected results

Outcome 1: The Government of Liberia has integrated clean household energy priorities into national frameworks and action plans, informed by findings from the HEART assessment by the end of the project.

Indicator: Number of action plans, roadmaps, strategies, or other future plans with SLCP targets or mitigation measures formally adopted, endorsed and/or implemented  

• Output 1.1: An advocacy workshop on CHEST/HEART guidelines conducted for policymakers, senior government staff, and private sector.
• Output 1.2: Liberia HEART assessment conducted and published with a focus on clean cooking, heating, and lighting
• Output 1.3: Stakeholder workshop to validate the HEART assessment report and align with national policies
• Output 1.4: HEART findings disseminated to government and stakeholders through presentations and webinars

Outcome 2: The Government of Liberia has increased capacity on engaging the health community and on communication and awareness raising by the end of the project.

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

• Output 2.1: Training of senior government staff from MoH, NPHIL, MME, EPA, on BAR-HAP Tool

Outcome 3: The Government of Liberia has catalyzed funding for clean cooking solutions, including electric cooking (e-cooking), by creating an enabling environment for investment and engaging development partners and private sector actors by the end of the project.

Indicator: Amount of “catalyzed funding” for SLCP mitigation effort

• Output 3.1: Investment case for clean cooking and e-cooking developed and presented to national stakeholders and development partners.
• Output 3.2: Mapping of financing mechanisms and donor engagement strategy for clean cooking in Liberia completed.
• Output 3.3: At least two funding proposals submitted to international donors and climate finance institutions in support of scaling up clean cooking. 

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.

Due diligence and procurement

Due diligence  

CCAC implementers with UNEP contractual agreements must meet with the following requirements:   

• 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

Contract requirements

If selected for funding, your project will be contracted through the United Nations. Organisation(s) selected to implement the project must meet the following due diligence and procurement rules.

Procurement

As a general rule, Implementation Agreements allow for incidental procurement only.