GVEP International (Global Village Energy Partnership) is a worldwide non profit organisation working to reduce poverty by accelerating access to affordable and sustainable energy services.[1]
GVEP International stimulates the creation of micro, small and medium size enterprises in the energy economy, support and nurture these businesses, and help connect them with funders and investors.[2]
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The origins of the Global Village Energy Partnership (GVEP) lie in the Village Power Conferences hosted by the World Bank, USAID, the US Department of Energy, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Winrock International and several private companies during the 1990s. These events brought together hundreds of international participants from 60 countries to share lessons learned, best practices and new approaches to meeting rural energy needs.[3]
After the Village Power 2000 Conference, numerous organisations including, the Dutch Cooperation, the World Bank, UNDP, bilateral donors, NREL, Winrock and private companies collaborated to set up a 10 year programme to increase modern energy access. The Global Village Energy Partnership, and an EVillage Consultation was carried out involving over 100 organisations worldwide to gain input on objectives and a work programme of the Partnership.[4]
The World Bank was initially established as the Interim Technical Secretariat to coordinate, broker and facilitate Partnership activities and together with Partner organisations launched GVEP as a Type 2 Initiative at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, WSSD, in Johannesburg, South Africa, along with over 30 other Partnerships dedicated to energy. Today GVEP International actively collaborates with a number of WSSD Partnerships. In 2004, the hosting of the Partnership was taken over by Practical Action based in Rugby in the UK, with World Bankremaining as one of GVEPs most active Partners.[5]
In 2005, the GVEP Partnership Board decided to create a new legal entity called GVEP International to increase funding opportunities and in July 2006, with a new management team taking over the tasks of the former Technical Secretariat, GVEP International’s new offices were set up in Central London. [6]
GVEP International believes that business-led solutions are essential to meet the energy needs of people living in developing countries. While governments can create effective policies and incentives, the private sector has a critical role too.
GVEP International stimulates the creation of a broad range of micro, small and medium size enterprises in the energy economy. The organisation supports and nurtures these businesses, and helps connect them with funders so they can work towards providing communities with access to energy at affordable prices. Through its website GVEP International brings together people and organisations who work with energy issues; more than 2,000 organisations from 120 countries have registered on the site.
A key principle is that anyone GVEP International supports must be working towards creating an energy product or service that has the potential to become a self sustaining business.
GVEP International works in a number of ways at local, national and global levels to accelerate access to energy.
Business development assistance: encouraging innovation, promoting best practice and preparing Partners for investment.[7]
Project finance: linking investment-ready Partners to funders and facilitating finance for project implementers. [8]
Coordination: encouraging coordination of energy access stakeholders to optimise funding and increase effectiveness. [9]
Knowledge: providing information on funding opportunities, energy access products and services, and best practices through its website. Partners can also access an online network, event lists and publications offering specialised technical advice. [10]
Networking: enabling Partners to connect with one another so they can share skills and information; collaborating on projects; and debating current energy access issues.[11]
GVEP International is part of a community of organisations and individuals all working towards common goals. GVEP International shares information with many people, works directly with some on the implementation of specific programmes, and facilitates contacts between others through its community website.[12]
GVEP International works with businesses, investors, government agencies, ngos, donors and researchers.
While GVEP-I is an international organisation, its approach is rooted in a solid understanding of local conditions. Only by understanding specific characteristics of local areas, working with those on the ground, and an appreciation of the wider global drivers can specific and flexible solutions be developed.
Developing Energy Enterprises Programme
GVEP International set up the Developing Energy Enterprises Programme (DEEP) in 2008. Spanning five years, the programme aims to provide modern energy services and products to 1.8 million people in rural and peri-urban Areas in the East African countries of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. GVEP International will meet this target by developing a sustainable and widespread industry of micro and small energy enterprises. As well as helping to increase the effectiveness of established service providers and scaling up existing small village enterprises, we are also assisting a number of start ups. In total we plan to support 1,800 micro and small energy businesses. The programme is funded by the European Union and the Dutch government.
Supporting Energy Businesses
GVEP International is working as a consultant to the World Bank on a $30m programme Supporting Energy SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa. The programme will be implemented by government agencies in six countries with support from GVEP-I. The programme is funded by the Russian Government and covers Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Mali, and Senegal.
Helping energy businesses access finance
Start-up and small energy businesses often find it difficult to secure essential financial assistance. GVEP International helps by connecting such enterprises with investors and funders. We are working to find innovative ways to encourage the financial sector to offer more investment and backing.
Business plan contest
GVEP International is working with the Dutch based BiD Network on a competition for business energy ideas aimed at delivering access to clean energy to people in East Africa. The Access to Clean Energy Challenge invited entrepreneurs from five East African countries to submit their business proposals by 15 Jan 2010. The best of the entrepreneurs who entered the contest will receive coaching on business development as well as mix of grant support and investment.
Ideas Energy Innovation Contest
In March 2009 GVEP International launched a ground-breaking competition in Latin America and the Caribbean. The aim of the IDEAS Energy Innovation Contest is to support outstanding companies and organisations contributing to the growth and promotion of renewable energy. Our support allows them to turn their ideas into commercially viable energy businesses. Each of the 26 winners received a two-year development grant of up to (US)$200,000. GVEP International and the other contest sponsors also committed to working closely with each winner to provide technical advice, access to other experts and institutions and introductions to funders and investors. The contest is funded by the Dutch government in partnership with Inter-American Development Bank. the Korean government and the German agency GIZ.
A new contest will be launched in February 2012
Policy Coordination Platforms GVEP International works in Peru to bring a wide range of stakeholders in the energy sector, including government, private companies, NGOs and academic institutions together in a common platform. The platform provides a forum for multi-sectoral coordination.GVEP International supports the platform by channelling information, facilitating the sharing of best practice and innovations, encouraging business-based solutions and identifying potential funders and investors. Similar work was carried out in Honduras until the recent coup.