GVEP International
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.
Through our work we are fighting climate change and providing the tools that our Partners require to adapt to changing global conditions.
History
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.
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 Bankremaining 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.
Our 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.
We stimulate the creation of a broad range of micro, small and medium size enterprises in the energy economy. We support and nurture these businesses, and help connect them with funders so they can work towards providing communities with access to energy at affordable prices. Through our website we bring together people and organisations who work with energy issues; more than 2,000 organisations from 120 countries have registered with us.
A key principle is that anyone we support must be working towards creating an energy product or service that has the potential to become a self sustaining business.
What we do
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 innovation, promoting best practice and preparing our 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..
Global
Knowledge: providing information on funding opportunities, energy access products and services, and best practices through its website. Partners can also access our Partner network, event lists and publications offering specialised technical advice.
Networking: enabling our 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
KGVEP International is part of a community of organisations and individuals all working towards common goals. We share information with many people, work directly with some on the implementation of specific programmes, and facilitate contacts between others through our community website.
We work directly with others and through our website. Businesses, investors, government agencies, ngos, donors and researchers all have important roles to play.
Merging local and global
While we are an international organisation, our 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.
Regional Activities
GVEP International is currently initiating new regional programme activities.
During 2008-2012 two major programmes supporting the development of SMEs and pro-poor energy solutions will be rolled out in East Africa with the establishment of GVEP International offices in Uganda and Kenya.
In West Africa GVEP International is currently looking at setting up training and business development assistance facilities, as well as bringing funding for SMEs and pro-poor energy solutions in 2009-12.
In Southern Africa, initial activities will be focused on setting up a courses in Monitoring and Evaluation.
In Latin America and the Caribbean GVEP International representatives are working to drive the continuation and replication of Coordination Platforms based on the model already developed in Peru and Honduras. GVEP International will also co-fund pro-poor energy solutions and support for SMEs identified within the framework of the Coordination Platforms. At the end of February 2009 a major Innovation Energy Contest sponsored by GVEP International, Inter American Development Bank, German Cooperation (GTZ) and The Korean Government was launched.
Africa
The GVEP Partnership was launched in Johannesburg in 2002 and subsequently held multistakeholder workshops and developed energy action plans with a number of African countries, in particular Cameroon and Ghana.
Four GAPfund projects have been completed in Africa: Tanzania (2), Kenya (1), Zambia(1)
GVEP International is now initiating new programmes in Africa, in particular:
In East Africa: the 5 year Developing Energy Enterprise Programme through which GVEP International is working with five East African Partners. This programme began implementation in March 2008.
In East and West Africa: During 2008-11 GVEP International will be developing energy access funds with the support of the Russian government which has committed $30 million through a World Bank Trust Fund to GVEP International's activities in these regions.
In Southern Africa: GVEP International will be developing a regional Monitoring and Evaluation Centre which will provide services to support development agencies, governments and private project developers monitor and evaluate the impacts of their projects.
Latin America
GVEP International produces a quarterly LAC newsletter (Latin America and the Caribbean) in Spanish.
There are six GAPfund projects which have been completed in Latin America: Honduras (2), Brazil (3) and Guatemala (1).
At the end of February the Innovation Energy Contest sponsored by GVEP International, Inter American Development Bank, German Cooperation (GTZ) and The Korean Government was launched. This contest will award 20- 25 projects with up to USD$ 200,000 each. These projects will be selected if they display viable, innovative methods for supporting access to energy, enery efficiency, the use of renewable energies, and help tackle climate change.
Honduras platform
GVEP International is also sponsoring the GVEP Honduran Platform that supports Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Biofuels. This platform is formed by private companies, government agencies, NGO, international cooperation agencies and multilateral banks such as World Bank, Inter American Development Bank and Cabei.
Peru platform
Peru has now also established a GVEP International Coordination Platform with the support of the Inter American Development Bank which will be putting in place a Project Team during 2009 to implement the recommendations of the Platform in the shape of an energy strategy for renewables and biofuels.
Asia
GVEP International does not currently have staff in the region but does maintain links with a number of local partners and with organisations providing funding and investment to the energy sector. We give occasional advice and support to energy entrepreneurs in South Asia and are reviewing options for a larger scale engagement.