The South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy (SARI/Energy) program has been supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) since Year 2000. SARI/Energy works with energy sector players in the region to demonstrate market and community-driven approaches for ensuring access to clean and reliable energy and to promote long-term energy security.
SARI/Energy advances the development of transparent energy markets to increase energy trade and investments. It promotes the use of regionally available clean energy resources and demonstrates the advantages of competitive market structures for sustainable utility operation. The program seeks to reach un-served local communities by increasing their access to energy sources.
The proposed Small Grants Program (SGP) of SARI/Energy is expected to facilitate building better understanding of the challenges and opportunities for regional cooperation in energy trading. The program has the potential to foster required institutional linkages among the governments, utility companies, not-for-profit, training, research and advocacy, community development organizations in South Asia. The program also facilitates developing relationships and networks that continue to bolster regional energy cooperation in the coming years. The participating institutions can come and work together to address regional energy needs, which will go a long way in sustaining the SGP efforts beyond the life of the project.
Fostering regional energy cooperation by institutions from the South Asian countries where SARI/Energy is operational is important. The full integration of energy markets within south Asia region will only be achieved after a phase in which energy exports or the exchange of power on a bilateral basis becomes more widespread. The activities of the Small Grants Program will further the objectives of building a higher level of understanding and advocacy in the region. It is expected to develop an underlying sense of commitment and cooperation and develop an enabling environment that will exist beyond boundaries that will help investors be comfortable while investing in energy projects in the region.
Thus WII’s approach focuses on these issues in the proposed Small Grants Program administration. Such an approach can deliver a framework for a fully coordinated regional approach to energy sector development. It is important to work closely with USAID, PA Consulting, and other key stakeholders in the region to narrow down the list of potential grant topics.
Objectives
The Small Grants Program (SGP) seeks to build the capacity of local institutions and to increase the number of institutions engaged in regional and rural energy issues. This is expected to be one of the main vehicles for public participation in SARI/E projects, among others, by community organisations and is expected to raise awareness and involvement at grassroots, local, national and regional levels by improving business and/or livelihood practices in SARI/E countries. In the breadth of its scope, it is considered valuable for SARI/E to also connect and engage local communities and facilitate the start of local action to address pertinent energy concerns.
Deliverables
Review of the Small Grants Manual developed by PA Consulting. Establish and formalize the small grants application process. Conduct outreach activities to solicit small grants applications. Grant monitoring, evaluation and management. Conduct outreach services.
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