Conference on Energy Efficiency Financing in the Developing World
Please mark your calendars for "Scaling up Financing in the Developing World: The Energy Efficiency Investment Forum." The Forum, which will be held May 8-9, 2006, at the Millennium UN Plaza Hotel in New York City, New York, is designed to attract investors, financiers, private firms, customers, development agencies and end users to showcase profitable, energy efficiency business opportunities in the developing world. The Forum will complement the 14th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD 14). The Forum is sponsored by the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP). Co-sponsors include the World Bank, the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the U.S. Government.

Who Should Attend?

• Private Developers
• Utility Representatives
• Energy Service Companies, Energy Efficiency Equipment, Service Vendors
• Financial Institutions
• International Banks
• Venture Capital Firms
• Senior Policy Makers
• End Users
• International Financial Institutions

Why Should You Attend?

• Meet bankers, entrepreneurs, and others profiting from energy efficiency.
• Improve your understanding of risks/rewards of investing in energy efficiency.
• Enhance your awareness of financial institution requirements for investment.
• Increase your understanding of the conditions for building a profitable energy efficiency portfolio.
• Share successful business models and financial structuring of deals in developing countries that could be replicated.
• Present specific project and business opportunities.
• Network with others in the energy efficiency field.
• Identify co-investment/risk mitigation instruments from local/international banks.

For more information go to www.eeinvestmentforum.org

My Community, Our Earth Partnership
The My Community, Our Earth Partnership invites proposals from students to conduct community-oriented research projects on sustainable development topics. Selected projects will use geographic methods and tools, such as GIS and will utilize USDA data to approach a locally relevant issue on any aspect of sustainability. The proposals will enable a special learning experience that includes the opportunity to gain valuable workforce experience, practice your skills, use your knowledge, and engage with local communities on real-world issues. It seeks to link research, education, and community outreach in a set of structured activities designed in part as an internship or work-related practicum, in part as a fellowship for rigorous study and part life experience, dealing with hands-on issues in real communities. Awardees will receive modest stipends, be provided with expert mentoring resources, and will participate in international learning exchange of other student projects in the region through the MyCOE network.

Eligible Applicants
Eligible participants are students enrolled in related programs of interest (geography, agriculture, environmental studies, agriculture, etc.) at an accredited institution of higher education, (community colleges, liberal arts colleges, universities, etc). Priority will be given to undergraduate student over graduate student proposals. Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents. All prospective participants must be willing and able to comply with program expectations determined at the start of the project. Women and minority applicants are encouraged to apply.

Eligible Local Project Locations
Students will propose to work locally and on-site with USDA affiliated offices and/or related groups, and the MyCOE Program will initiate and facilitate working relationships on behalf of the selected participants. These offices/groups include the Natural Resource Conservation Service Center or State Offices, Forest Service centers, local conservation districts and/or local Resource Conservation and Development Councils, and State and County Cooperative Extension Services. No travel, relocation, or housing funding are available. Targeted sites include:

• The National Cartography and Geospatial Center in Fort Worth, Texas (www.ncgc.nrcs.usda.gov/)
• The National Geospatial Development Center in Morgantown, West Virginia (www.ngdc.wvu.edu/)
• Any of the NRCS State Offices in the US Gulf or Greater Mississippi River Basin: (www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/organization/regions.html#regions)
• Any of the US Forest Service Regional Offices in the US Gulf or Wider Mississippi River Basin: (www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/organization/regions.html#regions)
• Any local conservation district or RCDC in the US Gulf or Wider Mississippi River Basin: (http://www.nacdnet.org/directory/ or http://www.rcdnet.org/councils.htm)
• Any State or County Cooperative Extension Service in the US Gulf or Wider Mississippi River Basin: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/qlinks/partners/state_partners.html or http://geospatialextension.org/

Project Criteria
Eligible and successful proposals will:

• Address a locally relevant topic on sustainable development, such as environmental sustainability, natural resource, watershed management, urban built environments, green infrastructure, or other themes related to sustainability. Project sites located in areas recently affected by hurricanes are encouraged to focus on natural disasters and sustainable recovery.
• Use geographic concepts, techniques, methodologies, and/or technologies such as GIS, GPS, or remote sensing, to research, consider, analyze or improve understanding about the local community issue
• Make use of relevant USDA data, such as NRCS Soil Survey data (to be provided)
• Include elements of community-outreach in at least one of the project stages. Examples include but are not limited to: identification of sustainability problems via interviews, participation in definitions of research questions via focus groups, community-conducted data collection or mapping, involving elementary or secondary school students in the project, making presentations to key stakeholders or local leaders about the results of the project, or other forms of outreach
• Be feasible for completion during the calendar year of 2006
• Demonstrate originality and value

Submission of Proposals
Written Proposals should include the following in five (5) pages or less:

• A description of the problem related to sustainable development to be addressed
• Outline of methods, including how the project meets the six (6) criteria specified above
• Summary of a draft work plan (including what activities within a specified timeframe)
• A current CV or biographical narrative of the applicant
• While letters of recommendation are not required, they are welcomed, or contact information for references may be listed. Proposals should be submitted electronically as an email attachment to Dr. Patricia Solis, AAG at psolis@aag.org.

Deadline: Proposals will be accepted and considered on a rolling basis throughout 2006. Please indicate the timeframe for the project, including proposed start and end dates. Participation Requirements and Benefits
Selected participants will receive a modest stipend, expert mentoring as needed, support and resources from the MyCOE program, and will be eligible to receive additional support for travel to present completed projects at relevant venue, if available. Once selected, participants will:

• Complete their proposed project taking into consideration recommendations from the selection committee and/or MyCOE administration;
• Participate in weekly communications initiated within the e-community of all MyCOE Learningship participants in the region;
• Coordinate tasks on a regular basis with the local liaison and respond in a timely manner to inquiries from the MyCOE Program Coordinator;
• Submit progress and final reports to the MyCOE Program (to be specified); and
• Complete a final program evaluation (to be provided).

Deadline Extended for the World Bank's Development Marketplace Grant Competition in the Philippines
The deadline for the World Bank's Country Development Marketplace in the Philippines, also known as “Panibagong Paraan” has been extended to December 20, 2005. The theme of the May 2006 event is “Development with Equity” and includes a focus on energy. With support from many partners including the Department of State and USAID, Panibagong Paraan includes a grants competition of up $18,500 USD to implement innovative projects over a one-year period. Non-governmental organizations, community groups, public and private research institutions, and local governments partnering with civil society groups are encouraged to apply. [more]

U.S. Activities on Sustainable Consumption and Production
September 2, 2005: Public-private partnerships are at the core of a wide range of U.S. efforts to promote cleaner and more environmentally sound use of resources in ways that grow economies and create jobs. At the Second International Experts Meeting on Sustainable Consumption and Production, U.S. government experts are highlighting a number of innovative programs and activities. Click here for full compilation.

My Community, Our Earth Partnership
The My Community, Our Earth Partnership announces its 2005 Awards recognizing outstanding youth projects from around the world that address sustainable development using geographic tools and concepts. This year, 55 projects involving approximately 200 primary, middle school, secondary, and college age youth were submitted from North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. The highest scoring project from primary and middle schools explored public transportation in Kingston, Jamaica. The secondary school winner, also from Jamaica, created a hazard map based upon a risk analysis of areas prone to severe flooding. A student in Houston Texas submitted the winning project in the college and university age category examining air quality and environmental justice. Projects addressed sustainable development topics such as Mountain Ecosystems, Land Use, Alternative Energy, Health, Water, Transportation, Poverty, and Ecotourism, among others, and examined local issues in locations around the world, including Poland, Turkey, Finland, Canada, Nigeria, China, Kenya, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Argentina, Jamaica, Lithuania, and the United States. A panel of experts reviewed the submissions and awarded prizes, including a GPS, GIS software, and digital cameras to outstanding individual and team submissions and books and geographic educational materials to all participants. The 2005 MyCOE Youth Recognition Program was offered in honor of the kickoff of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, 2005-2014 and received significant support from the US Department of Agriculture, ESRI, and the Association of American Geographers. MyCOE is a Type II Public-Private Partnership created in the run-up to the World Summit for Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, 2002. (For more information, please visit www.geography.org/sustainable; see My Community, Our Earth Partnership June 2005 newsletter.)

Seed Award Winners Announced
The winners of the Seed awards: Environmentally Friendly-Rice, Berries into Businesses, Indian Ocean Wonderland, Water for All, and Cows to Kilowatts, were chosen for their potential to advance sustainable development in their communities and contribute to the internationally agreed goals contained in the Millennium Declaration. All winning projects have the potential to be replicated in similar areas around the globe. These winning projects were selected from a pool of over 260 entries from 66 countries, representing 1,200 organizations. The Seed award winners are living proof that, through partnerships among communities, non-governmental organizations, businesses and public authorities, innovative solutions for delivering sustainable development and sustainable livelihoods can be born and fostered.

The Seed Initiative was originally announced at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development. It is a voluntary public-private partnership that encourages local partnerships by assisting new development solutions to community challenges. The partnership has three objectives:

-- To recognize innovative, promising approaches through a biennial award program. Seed honorees will receive support services based on their partnership's goals.
-- To showcase the selected partnerships on the Internet at www.seedinit.org.
-- To provide a lessons-learned and best practice resource for other partnerships. This information will also be available on the Internet. In addition to highlighting the selected partnerships, this lessons-learned resource will include a wide variety of support information and lessons learned from other development partnerships.

Seed partners include international organizations (IUCN-World Conservation Union, United Nations Environment Program, United Nations Development Program), civil society organizations (Global Public Policy Institute, Centre for the Advancement of Sustainable Development Partnerships), other partnerships (Global Compact),governments (Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States), and the private sector (Swiss Re).

To view the announcement regarding the Seed award winners please visit http://www.seedinit.org/mainpages/ceremony/intro/index.php?

Government of Morocco Hosts 2^nd International Partnerships Forum
March 23, 2005 - Over 400 participants from 61 countries and 14 international organizations attended the March 21-23 2^nd International Forum on Partnerships for Sustainable Development: Advancing Implementation on Water and Energy in Marrakech, Morocco.  Hosted by the Moroccan Ministry of Territory Planning, Water and Environment (MATEE), in cooperation with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN/DESA), the Forum advanced sustainable development implementation by strengthening and fostering water and energy related partnerships.   More info: Forum website; IISD coverage.

Assistant Secretary Turner Highlights Importance of Partnerships
March 21, 2005 - Assistant Secretary of State John F. Turner addressed the “2nd International Forum on Partnerships for Sustainable Development: Advancing Implementation on Water and Energy” in Marrakech, Morocco (Mar. 21-23, 2005). Assistant Secretary Turner highlighted how partnerships “provide a critical link between internationally agreed development goals and the on-the-ground ideas, efforts, and resources of governments, civil society, and the private sector.  On a human scale, this means we're putting clean water in the mouths of thirsty boys and girls; it means we're helping women breathe cleaner, healthier air as they prepare meals for their families; it means we're helping young girls stay in school by building adequate sanitation facilities.”  Turner added that water and energy partnerships provide an important mechanism to bring all stakeholders together in a participatory process which helps make institutions accountable to their constituents, promotes democracy and domestic good governance [full text]. For more information about the Forum and links to other presentations, please visit www.morrocoforum.org

2nd International Forum on Partnerships for Sustainable Development Announced
December 10, 2004 - The Moroccan Ministry of Territory Planning, Water and Environment (MATEE), in cooperation with The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN/DESA), announced it will host the 2nd International Forum on Partnerships for Sustainable Development: Advancing Implementation on Water and Energy. The forum will take place at the Palais des Congres in Marrakech, Morocco from March 21-23, 2005.

The purpose of the Forum is to advance sustainable development implementation by strengthening and fostering water and energy related partnerships. The 2nd Forum will build upon outcomes from other international partnership discussions, including the 1st International Forum on Partnerships for Sustainable Development (March 2004 in Rome, Italy) and the 12th Session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-12, April 2004 in UNHQ, New York). Forum outcomes will be presented during CSD-13 in New York, April 11-22, 2005.

The Forum aims to highlight key elements of sustainable development partnerships related to water and energy. Elements include, using innovative partnership approaches to overcome constraints in implementing water and energy related goals; establishing new and strengthening existing partnerships, particularly in developing countries; sharing lessons learned and best practices in the partnering process (e.g. building, managing, and resource partnerships, etc.).

The forum will also provide networking opportunities and showcase partnerships that work, including through an exposition. For more information go to Forum Announcement.

Global Village Energy Partnership Announces Selection of New Host and Program Manager
On August 11^th, Paul Hassing, Chair of the Global Village Energy Partnership Board, announced the selection of the Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG) as the new host for the GVEP Technical Secretariat. In addition, Dr. Abeeku Brew Hammond was named as the GVEP Program Manager, and will begin his new responsibilities on September 1, 2004. As the GVEP Program Manager, Dr. Hammond will be responsible for providing strategic planning and guidance support for the GVEP Technical Secretariat, as well as developing and ensuring the successful implementation of the GVEP work program. Dr. Hammond is the former director of the Ghana-based Kumasi Institute of Technology & Environment and an Associate Professor at Ghana's Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

Dr. Griff Thompson, GVEP Board member and lead of the transition search committee, called the announcement an "historic time for GVEP", having selected a strong host organization and superb Program Manager. He also thanked Judy Siegel, who has served as the interim Program Manager, for her "excellent" work and support to the Board through the transitional period, and added that Ms. Siegel will continue to assist GVEP as lead of the Financing Facilitation Service Line.

Dr. Thompson thanked the World Bank, and in particular Ms. Dominique Lallement for hosting GVEP through the start up phase. Thompson noted that the Bank had been instrumental in the launch of GVEP and a major contributor to the Partnership's substantial progress to date.

Jamal Saghir, Director Energy and Water at the World Bank, and GVEP Board member said the Bank had been pleased to host the GVEP Secretariat until a the Board identified a more permanent home. He also repeated the Bank's continued support to the Partnership.

GVEP aims to reduce poverty and enhance economic and social development for millions around the world by bringing together developing and industrialized country governments, public and private organizations, multilateral institutions, consumers and others in an effort to ensure access to modern energy services by the poor.

• National action plan development and implementation in 18 countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia.
• Programs linked to the delivery of energy services to more than 20 million people.
• Training programs for entrepreneurs, microfinance organizations and financial institution officers.
• Shifting of host country government, private sector, NGO, and donor funding from electrification alone to broader energy-poverty and modern energy service delivery issues.

For more information about the partnership, see http://www.sdp.gov/sdp/initiative/cei/28305.htm. 

Safe Water System
In its July 21 edition, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) highlighted the Safe Water System (SWS) partnership's successful efforts in 15 countries to reduce waterborne diseases in children under five and in other vulnerable populations. JAMA observed that, “[The Safe Water System] illustrates how the developed world's financial and technical resources can work in tandem with local authorities in resource poor nations where millions become ill and die each year from waterborne diseases.” For more details on this article link to JAMA article. For more information on Safe Water System, visit their fact sheet.

The Safe Water System partnership -- which includes U.S. Government agencies, health ministries in 17 developing countries, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society organizations -- has distributed or sold at low cost more than eight million bottles of disinfectant solution. Each bottle can typically treat enough water to meet one person's drinking and cooking needs for six months. Coupled with safer water storage and improved hygiene practices, the Safe Water System has been shown to dramatically reduce the risk of diarrhea, typically by about one-half.”

2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development
At the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg, South Africa, the U.K. and the U.S. launched the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) and the Clean Energy Initiative, respectively. On April 28, 2004, the United Kingdom's Secretary of State Margaret Beckett and the United States of America's Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky announced their joining of each other's partnership. At the signing ceremony, Under Secretary Dobriansky commented that, “By joining forces, our respective initiatives will be better able to demonstrate in real ways how renewable energy and energy efficiency can make the vision of sustainable development become a reality. Through our alliances we will illuminate homes, classrooms, and factories, provide water for health and agriculture ends, and ignite economic growth in both rural villages and urban municipalities.”

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