Launch: Moving Energy Initiative’s Low Carbon Energy Fund & Working Group
On February 8, 2017, the WANA Institute, EDAMA and the Norwegian Refugee Council jointly launched the Moving Energy Initiative’s Low Carbon Energy Fund & Working Group at the Landmark Hotel and Conference Centre in Amman. This one-day expert workshop was part of the Moving Energy Initiative – a major partnership between Chatham House, Energy4Impact, Practical Action, the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DfID), the UNHCR and Norwegian Refugee Council. The Moving Energy Initiative is working to change the way that energy is deployed and delivered in situations of human displacement. The Working Group will help share experiences, best practices and contacts.
The Moving Energy Initiative’s ‘Small Grant Facility’ was also launched during the event: a call for proposals that will reduce fossil fuel consumption and improve energy access in displacement settings. The call closed on February 25 and the winning projects are expected to begin in May 2017. The MEI prioritised support for projects that:
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Significantly reduce fossil fuel consumption in displacement settings or provide energy access to displaced populations, the surrounding communities or humanitarian operations;
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Demonstrate new approaches and models that challenge the business as usual approach to energy service and provision in displacement settings;
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Offer a sustainable solution with local ownership and robust long term maintenance and/or training and market development plans to ensure the continued use of the solution;
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Serve as a demonstrator to other actors in the sector to encourage them to improve their energy provision and adopt new methods and approaches.
The launch meeting on February 8 offered an opportunity for stakeholders to ask questions about the process and selection criteria of the call, as well as form new partnerships between the humanitarian sphere and private sector. It also offered an opportunity for humanitarian organisations to discuss best practice regarding their own energy use and accounting.