The Public sector is urged to participate in projects aimed to boost Rwanda’s climate action plan. The call was made on February 14, where The Rwanda Green Fund, in cooperation with the Federal Republic of Germany, pledged to provide financial and technical support to outstanding projects and initiatives. This is under the initiative dubbed, ‘Intego’, a Rwanda’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Facility that was launched on the same day. The facility is intended to support the implementation of Rwanda's climate action plan, under the Paris agreement, and the country’s sustainable development. According to Teddy Mugabo, CEO of the Rwanda Green Fund, Rwanda’s NDC facility presents an opportunity for the company to transform strategy into action, and looks forward to working with other partners across government institutions to shape a green Rwanda. Félix Yvan Rugwizangoga, the Chief Strategy Officer - Rwanda Green Fund, stressed that the funding from Germany € 46 m, will be accessed by public agencies, and the target is the central government, and local government. The application was opened, and will go through a month to meet a project preparation document. Rugwizangoga also noted that government agencies will be expected to fill it as well. Applicants are required to state the institution they are from, name of the project, key sectors it will be tackling, and the whole budget. “We shall focus on the impact of the project, and offer assistance and support to applicants in case of any questions. We shall allow regular consultation at our offices. It will take a month, and after, we shall review applications, and screen them,” he emphasised. Usually, the screening stage takes about two months, those selected will prepare a project document. This entails a feasibility study, and is known as the hardest part of the process, as it requires time, research, and necessary details, Rugwizangoga noted. Few key participants will be selected, and will access the grant funding. An impact on both the environment, and communities will be key as the two are at the forefront of climate change. Every project must enhance resilience, support achievements, and a strong focus on job creation, gender equality, and climate change, according to Rugwizangoga. Florian Mugabo, the Projects Monitoring and Evaluation Analyst - Rwanda Green Fund calls upon the public to send in their proposals only if they are aligned with NDCs. Rwanda Green fund will mobilise resources to achieve the target of the country, which is to reduce 30 per cent of the emissions by 2030. Partnering with Germany will see the public sector compete for a price of Rwf 18.5 B. “We expect expanding, and working with different partners, to grow our portfolio. Our aim is to support the country to implement its NDCs, adaptation and mitigation projects. We developed a project together with the NDcs, which is the implementation frame where we highlight intervention areas dedicated to adaptation,” Mugabo stated. He heartens everyone to view climate change as a big issue for the country, especially with vision 2050, which requires all Rwandans to get on board. Although it has been challenging to get people to fund adaptation facilities, Mugabo believes this is a good start and hopes to achieve funding for mitigation as well. Applications for funding from Intego for public sector institutions are open from February 14 to March 15, 2023. For more information visit www.greenfund.rw.
