| Overview : UNDP Expression of interest UNDP Sierra Leone invites interested local start-ups to apply on the following: - Participation in the development of the local briquette ecosystem to stimulate the adoption of cost effective and sustainable clean cooking energy.
- Deadline: Friday, July 8, 2022
Summary of proposal: Cooking energy in Sierra Leone is heavily reliant on wood consumption, particularly at the household level. With increase in urbanization, demand for wood and wood products particularly charcoal which is the fuel of choice in many urban areas, is also on the increase. This has contributed to deforestation in many parts of the country. Accordingly, the search for the supply of a substitute for fuelwood for domestic use has emerged as a policy priority for the Government of Sierra Leone. Consequently, in recent years gas stoves have been introduced in the local market to help reduce this dependency and has gained some level of traction especially with middle income families. However largely due to poverty, uptake has been low for lower-income families as the initial investment is relatively high along with its refill cost. It is estimated that a 6kg cylinder costs up to Le 150,000 and a 12kg cylinder costs up to 300,000 per cylinder for which refill depends on the level of usage. Whilst on the other hand, a bag of coal or wood is cheaper, lasts much longer and there are smaller portions that can be purchased based on the availability of funds at that point in time for the families. As a result of some of these dynamics influencing this reliance coupled with an in-depth understanding of the local context, traditional cooking beliefs and the environmental implication of deforestation, UNDP through its Natural Resource Management (NRM) portfolio intends to complement government and private sector efforts in adopting and promoting innovative approaches to cooking differently using cheap, tried, and tested clean cooking energy source dubbed briquette affordable for low and middle income families. In collaboration with stakeholders both influencers and affected alike, design and build a production, supply and distribution network that can be an ideal, eco-friendly substitute to coal, available in the market in various sizes. Through our grassroot solutions mapping exercises, the Country Office recognizes some breakthroughs that have been made by local emerging entrepreneurs/innovators in clean biomass energy. This call is for an expression of interest targeting emerging local entrepreneurs/ start-ups across the country who are currently involved in briquette production to register their interest. Through a screening process successful applicants will be given the opportunity to form part of the clean cook campaign team. Call for Expression of Interest: The main objective of this call is to identify suitable startup with some practical experience in briquette production that can be trained to produce high-quality charcoal briquettes and support them to transform from small scale to medium/large scale production to meet market demand. The training will therefore not only focus on the technical part of briquette production, but also maintenance, marketing, and management. Eligibility criteria - Must have been engaged in small scale production of briquettes or have samples that can be exhibited for examination
- Must be a local startup engaged in briquettes production with proven experience of at least 6 months
- Interested startups should have operational presence in one of the targeted areas Western Area, South, East, North and North-West regions
- Must be willing to complete all training requirements
How to apply Those wishing to apply to the call, must submit: - A letter indicating that they are qualified to be considered
- A company / business profile
- Pictures of production site and product samples
IMPORTANT: Please send your expression of interest electronically in one file (pdf format) signed and scanned to the following email: procure.sl@undp.org or Physical address at UNDP Reception Area, Fourah Bay Close, Off Main Motor Road, Wilberforce, Freetown, Sierra Leone. Register your submission, indicating among other things, your name and telephone number at Receptionist Desk. Please ensure that you deposit the envelop into the Tender Box located at the Reception Area. If additional clarifications required, questions can be sent to the same email address indicated above. Answers to questions will be provided within two working days of publication of this call. Submission Deadline The deadline for applications is 10:00am on Friday July 8, 2022. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. The deadline for applications is 10:00Am on Friday, July 8, 2022. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. All applications must be submitted to email: procure.sl@undp.org. Hard copies may be submitted to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at UNDP Reception Area, Fourah Bay Close, Off Main Motor Road, Wilberforce, Freetown, Sierra Leone. ADDITIONAL DETAILS THROUGH THE EMAIL ABOVE. | 
