Background
In March 2023, the UK signed the Green Economy Framework (the Framework) with Singapore, a hybrid climate-trade agreement that is a first-of-its-kind for the UK. More information and full text of the Framework’s overarching Memorandum of Understanding can be found here.
The three key pillars of the Framework include: 1) Green Transport (maritime, aviation, and zero emissions vehicles); 2) Low Carbon Energy Technologies (hydrogen, carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), and grid technologies including interconnection, cross-border electricity trade and solutions to improve system resiliency and flexibility); and 3) Carbon Markets and Sustainable Finance.
Scope of Work
While the Framework is a bilateral agreement between Singapore and the UK, many of these priority pillars will also have a beneficial regional impact. This call for bids seeks pilot project proposals that support the following two technical criteria (Strategic Fit and Regional Impact):
- Deliver within at least one pillar of work identified in the UK-Singapore Green Economy Framework Memorandum of Understanding (Strategic Fit);
AND
- Has the potential to unlock barrier/s (such technological, regulatory, policy or research development) to decarbonisation and sustainability outcomes within the ASEAN region; or has the potential to support green economic or sectoral growth in both Singapore and another ASEAN country (Regional Impact).
Selection Criteria
Along with the above technical criteria (Strategic Fit and Regional Impact), the British High Commission Singapore will also assess bids on:
- Project delivery feasibility
- Risk management
- Value for money
The pilot project funding will available up to GBP £15,000 per project and will need to be complete before 1 April 2024.
Consideration can be given to different areas of green development, such as regulatory and policy development, the development of commercial supply chains and investment, research and scientific innovation, and technological collaboration.
Process
- Project proposals must be received by 23:59 (GMT +8) on Friday 15 December 2023.
- Project proposals must include:
- A cover letter introducing the organisation.
- A completed activity-based budget form (using the template attached).
- A completed project proposal form (using the template attached).
- The project costs in the submission should be in GBP. The currency for the payment will be discussed upon making a formal agreement.
- Proposals must be submitted by emailing the British High Commission in Singapore at [email protected] indicating ‘UK-Singapore GEF Regional Fund Project bid’ and name of your organisation in the subject field.
The formal agreement will be contingent upon the legal entity status of the recipient. If the recipient is a non-for-profit organisation, the governing document will take the form of a grant agreement. In the case of a commercial entity, the appropriate legal instrument will be a contract. This delineation ensures that the contractual arrangement aligns with the legal and regulatory frameworks governing each entity type, maintaining clarity and compliance throughout the engagement. We shall formalise the specifics of the agreement during the selection process. This approach ensures that all relevant details, in accordance with the unique requirements and eligibility criteria of the chosen grant or contract, are thoroughly addressed and mutually agreed upon.
