GVEP International
Encyclopedia
GVEP International is a worldwide non profit organisation working to reduce poverty
by accelerating access to affordable and sustainable energy
services.
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.
, 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.
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.
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 Bank
remaining as one of GVEPs most active Partners.
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.
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.
, promoting best practice and preparing Partners for investment
.
Project finance: linking investment-ready Partners to funders and facilitating finance for project implementers.
Coordination: encouraging coordination of energy access stakeholders to optimise funding and increase effectiveness.
Networking: enabling Partners to connect with one another so they can share skills and information; collaborating on projects; and debating current energy access issues.
GVEP International works with businesses, investors, government agencies, ngos, donors and researchers.
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.
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.
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
by accelerating access to affordable and sustainable energy
Sustainable energy
Sustainable energy is the provision of energy that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Sustainable energy sources include all renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectricity, solar energy, wind energy, wave power, geothermal...
services.
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.
History
The origins of the Global Village Energy Partnership (GVEP) lie in the Village Power Conferences hosted by the World BankWorld Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
, USAID, the US Department of Energy, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory , located in Golden, Colorado, is the United States' primary laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is a government-owned, contractor-operated facility; it is funded through...
, 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.
After the Village Power 2000 Conference, numerous organisations including, the Dutch Cooperation, the World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
, 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.
The World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
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
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, 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
Practical Action
Practical Action is a development charity registered in the United Kingdom which works directly in four regions of the developing world – Latin America, East Africa, Southern Africa and South Asia, with particular concentration on Peru, Kenya, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Nepal.In these countries,...
based in Rugby
Rugby, Warwickshire
Rugby is a market town in Warwickshire, England, located on the River Avon. The town has a population of 61,988 making it the second largest town in the county...
in the UK, with World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
remaining as one of GVEPs most active Partners.
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.
GVEP International's principles
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.
The Work
GVEP International works in a number of ways at local, national and global levels to accelerate access to energy.In country
Business development assistance: encouraging innovationInnovation
Innovation is the creation of better or more effective products, processes, technologies, or ideas that are accepted by markets, governments, and society...
, promoting best practice and preparing Partners for investment
Investment
Investment has different meanings in finance and economics. Finance investment is putting money into something with the expectation of gain, that upon thorough analysis, has a high degree of security for the principal amount, as well as security of return, within an expected period of time...
.
Project finance: linking investment-ready Partners to funders and facilitating finance for project implementers.
Coordination: encouraging coordination of energy access stakeholders to optimise funding and increase effectiveness.
Global
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.Networking: enabling Partners to connect with one another so they can share skills and information; collaborating on projects; and debating current energy access issues.
Collaboration and partnership
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.GVEP International works with businesses, investors, government agencies, ngos, donors and researchers.
Merging local and global
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.Activities
Africa
Developing Energy Enterprises ProgrammeGVEP 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.
Latin America and Caribbean
Ideas Energy Innovation ContestIn 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.