Climate strategy and clean energy Call for Proposals South Africa-UK PACT

How much should each project cost? 
Up to £500,000 per financial year, per project (i.e., the budget ceiling for two years would be £1,000,000).

What type of activities are we looking to fund? 
The following project areas have been identified for funding within this call for proposals:  

• Climate strategy and policy, supporting the DFFE: Updating the National Employment Vulnerability Assessment (NEVA) and developing a dynamic online platform;

• Climate strategy and policy, supporting the PCC: Developing scenarios for climate-informed economic pathways through stakeholder dialogues (Translating and socialising outputs from detailed modelling of net zero CO2 emission pathways for South Africa, previously funded by UK PACT);

• Clean energy, supporting eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality: Conducting a comprehensive feasibility study for an integrated waste to energy complex in eThekwini.

Each of these projects has specific expected outputs and interventions. South Africa-UK PACT welcomes creativity, expansion and additional suggestions from the market that cover the stated interventions as a minimum. Applicants may submit proposals for more than one project, noting that each project is distinct, and that each proposal should address only one project. Each proposal will be assessed independently. 

Projects will be selected through a one-stage open and competitive call. 

How long can each project be? 
Project durations differ and guidelines are provided within each project’s detailed terms of reference. Typically, projects will run for 12-24 months. Projects longer than this (e.g., with a 36-month duration) may be funded where there are clear justifications for impact and Value for Money. All projects are assumed to have a start date in February 2025.  

Can a consortium apply? 
Yes, we welcome applications from consortia. As of 2024, organisations registered as for-profit organisations are eligible to be the lead Implementing Partner of a proposal/consortium, however, projects must be delivered on a not-for-profit basis. We encourage consortia to have at least one local partner.

What type of organisations can apply?  
We invite all organisations with relevant experience in delivering technical assistance and capacity-building projects in the climate strategy and clean energy sectors to register. This could be think-tanks, consultancies, academic institutions, community organisations, NGOs, professional associations, or any similar organisations that have the knowledge, skills and experience to deliver an eligible project.

Proposals led by private sector entities are now welcomed for UK PACT (a change from 2023), however, conditions apply. Government agencies and Government departments are not eligible to receive UK PACT funding.  

In our commitment to the localisation of delivery, additional consideration will be given to consortia which include local organisations, Level 1 and Level 2 B-BBEE contributors, women-owned entities, youth-owned entities, and entities owned by people with disabilities. 

What types of costs are eligible?  
All projects must be delivered on a not-for-profit basis. Eligible costs will include: 

• Consultancy and/or staff time required to deliver activities;
• Reasonable travel and subsistence costs;
• Other costs directly related to activities and outputs (workshop, seminars, production of reports, translation etc.). 

We cannot award funding for tangible assets. For further details, please refer to the UK PACT Applicant Handbook and Budget Template which reflect FCDO grants management rules applicable to this programme.

The steps and indicative dates for each stage of the Call for Proposals in the climate strategy and clean energy sectors are outlined below:

Click here to watch the recording and view the slides from our market engagement event held on 5 September 2024.

Answers to consolidated clarification questions submitted to southafrica@ukpact.co.uk are accessible below. The deadline for submitting clarification questions was  4 October 2024.

• Click here for responses to the consolidated clarification questions - published on 11 October 2024.

Please refer to the correct project to find the details and application link of the project you are interested in applying for.

This section clarifies how to apply for Project 1: Updating the National Employment Vulnerability Assessment (NEVA) and developing a dynamic online platform, supporting the DFFE. 

Projects will be selected through a one-stage open and competitive Call for Proposals. Applicants should read the Terms of Reference and Applicant Handbook to understand what is required to submit a strong proposal for this call. 

To start your application process, fill in the templates below and then submit the form linked. After submitting the form, you will receive an email containing a link to upload your application pack. The following documents form your application pack and must be downloaded, completed in English, and submitted via the link sent to your email, after submitting the form below.

• Project proposal template 
• Budget and workplan template
• Project Theory of Change form
• Project risk and issue register template

All the guidance you will need to make an application can be found here:

• Terms of Reference: project 1
• Applicant handbook
• UK PACT's GEDSI Guidance
• Risk management guide for applicants

Please refer to the correct project to find the details and application link of the project you are interested in applying for.

This section clarifies how to apply for Project 2: Developing scenarios for climate-informed economic pathways through stakeholder dialogues, supporting the PCC. 

Applicants are not required to include the UCT ESRG or UCT in their consortia and should not contact UCT to solicit their inputs or involvement. Applicants are also not required to budget for any the work envisaged to be undertaken by UCT. The potential involvement of UCT will be coordinated directly by UK PACT and the PCC.

Projects will be selected through a one-stage open and competitive Call for Proposals. Applicants should read the Terms of Reference and Applicant Handbook to understand what is required to submit a strong proposal for this call. 

To start your application process, fill in the templates below and then submit the form linked. After submitting the form, you will receive an email containing a link to upload your application pack. The following documents form your application pack and must be downloaded, completed in English, and submitted via the link sent to your email, after submitting the form below.

• Project proposal template 
• Budget and workplan template
• Project Theory of Change form
• Project risk and issue register template

All the guidance you will need to make an application can be found here:

• Terms of Reference: project 2 (revised on 27 September 2024)
• Applicant handbook
• UK PACT's GEDSI Guidance
• Risk management guide for applicants 

Please refer to the correct project to find the details and application link of the project you are interested in applying for.

This section clarifies how to apply for Project 3: Conducting a comprehensive feasibility study for an integrated waste to energy complex in eThekwini. 

Projects will be selected through a one-stage open and competitive Call for Proposals. Applicants should read the Terms of Reference and Applicant Handbook to understand what is required to submit a strong proposal for this call. 

To start your application process, fill in the templates below and then submit the form linked. After submitting the form, you will receive an email containing a link to upload your application pack. The following documents form your application pack and must be downloaded, completed in English, and submitted via the link sent to your email, after submitting the form below.

• Project proposal template 
• Budget and workplan template
• Project Theory of Change form
• Project risk and issue register template

All the guidance you will need to make an application can be found here:

• Terms of Reference: project 3
• Applicant handbook
• UK PACT's GEDSI Guidance
• Risk management guide for applicants