Transitioning pellet stove production: China to Rwanda

DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY

BioMassters and Mimi Moto are seeking funding to de-risk and accelerate the rollout of a new version of a tier-4 advanced biomass stove that was developed by Mimi Moto. The new version will use the same core technology as the existing model but will be domestically assembled and then installed into kitchens, as opposed to the existing fully imported and portable stove model. Mimi Moto will need to send less materials from China while more local materials and labour will be used. This transition of stove production from China to Rwanda will have three key benefits: 1) It will drop the price of the cookstove, reducing or eliminating the barrier to adopting this solution, 2) It will create green jobs in Rwanda and contribute to knowledge transfer and economic development, and 3) It will allow for customisation of stove body design, leading to greater customer satisfaction. As the first WHO tier-4 clean burning gasification stove to run on biofuel, the portable Mimi Moto model was an important innovation in clean cooking. We are thus taking this a step further with an inbuilt, installed version, produced in Rwanda. The novel aspects of the installation, including customisation, have received positive feedback from a pilot initiative, including with several Village Chiefs. By building trust and connections with these gatekeepers of the community, BioMassters are uniquely placed to open people up to replacing traditional methods with the innovative pellet fuel and stove system. Pellet fuel is roughly 30% cheaper than charcoal and the pellet fuel and stove combination uses 90% less biomass compared to charcoal cooking. In addition to that, its clean burn significantly reduces harm to the user. Since cooking in Rwanda is carried out by mostly women and girls, BioMassters have a positive impact on both the environment, and women's health. Funding would enable the introduction of the cheaper model, allowing these benefits to accrue to low-income groups, particularly women and girls.

OX Global Limited - Enabling new energy infrastructure in underserved regions of Rwanda through the integration of zero-emission vehicle groundwork

DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Despite the goal to achieve 100% energy access in Rwanda by 2024, the current access-rate is at 76% in urban communities and only 44% in rural regions (USAID,2022). The wiring of the energy distribution network in Rwanda is 16,000km long, of which 35% is covered by MV (medium voltage) lines and 65% by LV (low voltage) lines. Electricity connections for non-residential and industrial users (public, commercial centres, factories, hotels and offices) are prioritised because the marginal costs are relatively low in comparison to households in scattered, remote areas. Moreover, residential users consume a low amount of electricity, which reduces the incentive to target this group. Currently, 80% of the Rwandan population lives in remote, rural areas. Therefore, it is difficult and expensive to connect them to the national grid. Furthermore, off-grid renewable containerised systems require an economy for the electricity to justify the investment. To overcome this clear unmet need of providing basic electricity services in rural communities, the consortium is developing a business-case that is profitable and scalable to the Rwandan population. OX-Global Limited (OX) is an award-winning UK start-up automotive company founded by not-for-profit company, Global Vehicle Trust (GVT). In partnership with OX Rwanda Limited (OX-Rwanda) the consortium's mission is to deliver affordable transport in emerging markets, driving a self-reinforcing cycle of economic growth and social impact. OX and OX-Rwanda fuse together experts in engineering, energy, and advanced manufacturing to build an infrastructure for Productive Use of Energy from Ox-Rwanda's depots and truck-bases, and will study how to make energy available to the general public in rural communities. In this Industrial Research project, development of the OX-truck, a unique zero-emissions-vehicle (ZEV) will not only disrupt the existing transport and logistics infrastructure for Rwandans requiring affordable transport for trading agricultural goods, but will also catalyse the start of energy distribution networks installed in rural areas previously deemed uneconomical. This project is anticipated to deliver transformative effects for the consortium by opening new markets, generating revenues and team growth through partnerships with Farmer-Entrepreneurs, Small Trader SMEs, and Corporates by providing innovative solutions that will benefit emerging markets.

Renewable Energy Agro-Processing Hubs for Energy Access and Economic Development in Rural Rwanda

DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Our project, REAP (Renewable Energy Agro-Processing) hub, is a transformative initiative aimed at empowering rural communities by providing sustainable access to renewable energy and enhancing their food production capacities. Through the integration of innovative technologies and community-driven approaches, we seek to create lasting social, economic, and environmental impact in underserved regions. At the heart of our project is the vision to address the energy poverty prevalent in remote rural areas, where communities face challenges due to lack of reliable and affordable energy. Bby harnessing the power of renewable energy, we can unlock tremendous potential, enabling these communities to improve their quality of life and drive sustainable development. We begin with robust community engagement and needs assessment to truly understand the energy requirements and aspirations users. By working closely with the target communities, we ensure that our solutions are tailored to their specific needs and integrate seamlessly into their daily lives. Through strategic partnerships (Smart Villages Research Group and NjordFrey), we will deploy renewable energy technologies to support high yield fish/vegetable production with value addition (cooling/food drying). Intelligently monitored and coordinated through a digital monitoring system, the REAP hub will automatically balance the energy and production demands to increase efficiency and reduce energy and production costs. The REAP project extends beyond energy access. We recognise the vital role of productive systems in rural communities, such as agriculture and small-scale enterprises. By incorporating energy into these systems, we unlock new opportunities for income generation, value-chain development, and market access. This integrated approach fosters economic growth, creates employment, and reduces poverty, ensuring long-term sustainability. Furthermore, our project aligns closely with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). By promoting renewable solutions and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, we contribute to combating climate change. The impact of the REAP project last far longer than our project implementation. The knowledge, skills, and partnerships developed throughout the project will serve as a catalyst for replication and scaling up to 2,000 hubs across Sub-Saharan Africa, fostering widespread adoption of renewable energy solutions and transformative development models. Through collaboration, innovation, and a deep commitment to sustainable development, REAP aims to empower rural communities, unlock their potential, and create a brighter future for all. Together, we can build resilient communities, promote Gender and Social inclusivity, and achieve a greener and more prosperous world.

Sustainable Cooling and Cold Chain Solutions

Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs

This activity supports a number of different areas of work which aim to accelerate the climate benefits of the Kigali Amendment (KA) to the Montreal Protocol (MP) and encourage uptake of energy efficient and climate friendly solutions. This includes (1) The creation of an African Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold Chains (ACES) in Rwanda. ACES will accelerate deployment of sustainable (environmental, economic and social) cold-chain solutions throughout Africa. (2) The development and deployment of an HFC outlook model to address information gaps on energy use and energy related CO2 emissions from the refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pumps (RACHP) market. It will assist in reducing cost of the transition for Article 5 countries to the Montreal Protocol and increase the climate benefit of action under the MP. (3) Increasing countries technical capacity and providing insights on global best practice of EE improvements of cooling products in parallel with HFC phase down, through model regulations and sustainable public procurement in ASEAN and Africa.

Global Programme on Sustainability

Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs

The programme supports sustainable economic growth that is both long-lasting and resilient to climate-related stressors. It does this through the integration of natural capital into decision making by governments, the private sector and financial institutions. The inability to value natural capital can undermine long-term growth and critically, the livelihoods of the poorest people dependent on ecosystems for their livelihoods. This programme directly addresses this challenge by (i) investing in data and research on natural capital; (ii) assisting countries to integrate this analysis into government policy making; and (iii) integrating this data and analysis into financial sector decision making.

Darwin Initiative

Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs

The Darwin Initiative is the UK’s flagship international challenge fund for biodiversity conversation and poverty reduction, established at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. The Darwin Initiative is a grant scheme working on projects that aim to slow, halt, or reverse the rates of biodiversity loss and degradation, with associated reductions in multidimensional poverty. To date, the Darwin Initiative has awarded more than £195m to over 1,280 projects in 159 countries to enhance the capability and capacity of national and local stakeholders to deliver biodiversity conservation and multidimensional poverty reduction outcomes in low and middle-income countries. More information at https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/the-darwin-initiative and https://www.darwininitiative.org.uk/

Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund Round 7

Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs

Illegal wildlife trade (IWT) is a widespread and lucrative criminal activity causing major global environmental and social harm. The IWT has been estimated to be worth up to £17 billion a year. Nearly 6,000 different species of fauna and flora are impacted, with almost every country in the world playing a role in the illicit trade.

• Developing sustainable livelihoods to benefit people directly affected by IWT,

• Strengthening law enforcement,

• Ensuring effective legal frameworks,

• Reducing demand for IWT products.

By 2023 over £51 million has been committed to 157 projects since the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund was established in 2013. This round of funding includes the following projects: IWT086 to IWT107. Further information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/illegal-wildlife-trade-challenge-fund-iwtcf (Language: English)

DfE NI - GCRF QR funding

DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

Grant to Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland to enable Northern Irish higher education institutes to carry out pre-agreed ODA-eligible activities in line with their institutional strategies. For Queen’s University Belfast in FY2019/20 this included: workshops in Cambodia, Vietnam, South Africa, and Uganda about health and education; 11 pilot projects spanning 16 eligible countries (Angola, Burundi, China, Colombia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Kosovo, Malaysia, Nigeria, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam and Zimbabwe); and additional support to GCRF and NF-funded activities. For Ulster University in FY2019/20 funding supported six pump-priming projects on: LMIC maternal, neonatal and child health; PTSD in Rwanda; Decision-Making in Policy Making in Africa and Central Asia; and hearing impairment and dementia in China.

HEFCW - GCRF QR funding

DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

Additional GCRF funding to the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales to support Welsh higher education institutes (HEIs) to carry out ODA-eligible activities in line with their institutional strategies. ODA research grants do not represent the full economic cost of research and therefore additional funding is provided to Welsh HEIs in line with their research council grant income. In FY19/20 funding was allocated to Aberystwyth University, Bangor University, Cardiff University and Swansea University. In FY19/20, the funding was used to fund: the full economic cost of existing ODA eligible activities (e.g. already funded by GCRF); small ODA-eligible projects; fellowships to ODA-eligible researchers; and to increase collaboration and impact. 53 ODA-eligible countries have been reported as benefiting from the funded work, with Brazil and India the most frequently mentioned. By region, the largest number of projects were based in the LDC’s (Least Developed Countries) in Asia, South America, and East Africa, with only a few projects in the middle-income countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Georgia.

ODA BEIS analysts - cross-cutting for both ODA funds

DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

ODA BEIS analysts. For the monitoring and evaluation and learning for NF and GCRF

SFC - GCRF QR funding

DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

Formula GCRF funding to the Scottish Funding Council to support Scottish higher education institutes (HEIs) to carry out ODA-eligible activities in line with their three-year institutional strategies. ODA research grants do not represent the full economic cost of research and therefore additional funding is provided to Scottish HEIs in proportion to their Research Excellence Grant (REG). In FY19/20 funding was allocated to 18 Scottish higher education institutes to support existing ODA grant funding and small projects. GCRF has now supported more than 800 projects at Scottish institutions, involving over 80 developing country partners.

Global Challenges Research Fund Evaluation

DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

The overall purpose of the GCRF evaluation is to assess the extent to which GCRF has achieved its objectives and contributed to its intended impacts.

Transformation Project - ODA Reporting Tool (ODART)

DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

The Reporting ODA Digital Service (RODA) is the data submission, processing, reporting repository system for data on BEIS R&I ODA Eligible Programmes delivered by Delivery Partners

UUKi Delivery Support

DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

These are delivery cost for shared learning workshops/training and best practice (for current and future applicants) on ODA assurance, eligibility, reporting and partnership working through either the NF and GCRF

ODA website - cross-cutting for both ODA funds

DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

This is the website for NF and GCRF consortia that promotes funding calls and impact case studies as well as publishing report such as the annual report and monitoring and evaluation documentation.

Ad-hoc GCRF activity on BEIS Finance system

DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

Increased contributions towards a range of research projects jointly funded with DFID, and funding for the Devolved Administrations for disbursement to universities within the devolved regions to fund the full economic cost of GCRF ODA research.

Core - International Collaboration Awards

DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

International Collaboration Awards enable outstanding researchers in the UK to partner with the best research groups in developing countries on projects that address issues faced by developing countries.

Royal Academy of Engineering Core - Africa Catalyst

DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

GCRF Africa Catalyst aims to strengthen professional engineering bodies in sub-Saharan Africa so that they can effectively promote the profession, share best practice and increase local engineering capacity, to help drive development. This is supported by high-quality research focusing on expanding the evidence base for the importance of robust engineering institutions and the role they play in delivering sustainable growth, and mapping engineering capacity and diversity in sub-Saharan Africa.

Royal Academy of Engineering Core - Higher Education Partnerships in Sub-Saharan Africa

DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

The Higher Education Partnerships in sub-Saharan Africa Programme (HEP SSA) – supported by the Anglo American Group Foundation and the UK Government through the Global Challenges Research Fund – was established by the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2016, following the successful pilot scheme, Enriching Engineering Education Programme. COVID-19

Royal Academy of Engineering Core - Frontiers of Engineering for Development

DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY

Frontiers of Engineering for Development is a series of interdisciplinary symposia that facilitates national and international collaboration to tackle global development challenges. The event brings together a select group of around 60 emerging UK and global engineering and international development leaders from industry and academia to discuss pioneering technical work and cutting-edge research for international development from a diversity of engineering fields. Seed funding is available to progress some of the best ideas coming out of the event. COVID-19