Applications are now open for the 2025 WASCAL’s Innovative Ideas Competition for Sustainable Energy (WISE). With the financial support of the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), WASCAL seeks to identify and support groundbreaking short-term projects and development & research ideas that demonstrate the potential of renewable energy and green hydrogen to address the region’s energy challenges while promoting sustainable development.

Overall objective: This call aims to foster and support the implementation of innovative projects and development & research ideas regarding renewable energy (RE) and green hydrogen (GH2) in West Africa.

Specific Objectives

• Contribute to the electricity access by the development of innovative ideas in the RE and GH2 Sector
• Contribute to the development in rural and peri-urban areas through the integration of renewable energy and green hydrogen systems
• Develop innovative solutions for addressing renewable energy and green hydrogen issues
• Develop innovative solutions/approaches for renewable energy and green hydrogen integration in our communities
• Impact positively the livelihood of the communities
• Eligibility criteria

This call is addressed to

• young West Africans. Any individual or group of young people (Students, academics, practitioners, scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs, associations…) from a West African country (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo). Having a bank account is necessary.
• associations/organisations, being legally registered in a West African Country and having a local bank account in the name of the association/organisation
•  Proposal requirements

The project ideas/initiatives should be focused on the development of renewable energy and green hydrogen with possible links to the following non-exhaustive thematics:

• Renewable energy solutions
• Green Hydrogen technologies
• Green mobility
• Energy access and services through renewables
• Biomass/waste recovery and energy
• Energy-Water-Food Nexus Solutions
• Productive uses of renewable energy in rural areas
• Thematic Trainings/ Conferences/Workshops/ Raising awareness 
• Energy efficiency solutions
• Women’s and girls’ empowerment in the renewable energies sector
• Renewable energy in Socio-economic development and increasing the added value in rural areas
• Innovative business plan models for energy technologies and services

The focus in the proposals can be on developing a product or process, a service, a business model, or a scientific study etc.

• Grant requirements

The maximum amount of grant allocated for each project is 20 000€ and the duration should not exceed 15 months

The categories of expenses considered as eligible and non-eligible are indicated below. Note that the eligible expenses must be based on real costs, based on supporting documents. Expenses that do not appear realistic may be rejected.

It is, therefore, in the applicant’s interest to provide a realistic and cost-effective budget in Euros based on the currency exchange rates at the time of proposal submission.

• Eligible Expenses

Eligible expenses concern the Direct costs, namely the Project Implementation Costs:

• Operational expenses like supplies, utilities, and rents.
  • Travel and transportation costs
  • Procurement of goods and services necessary for project implementation.
  • Training and capacity-building activities directly linked to the project.

They must also be reasonable, justified, and compliant with sound financial management principles. They must be directly verifiable and traceable to the activities being implemented.

• Illegible Expenses

Illegible expenses concern:

• Administrative costs
  • Bonuses, Provisions, and Reserves
  • Duties, Taxes, and Charges
  • Return of Capital, Debts, and Debt Service Charges
  • In-Kind Contributions
  • Currency exchange losses
  • Purchases of land or buildings
  • Institutional overheads

• Supporting Documents:

The submission package is composed of:

• The filed and signed application form
• Endorsement letter from the institution/organization of the applicant
• CV of the applicants
• Certificate of registration for the associations and organizations.
• Engagement with Project Participants and WASCAL: Proposals must demonstrate interest in WASCAL activities.
• Proposal Submission