The Worthington Companies Foundation has launched a call for applications for its West Africa Clean Cooking Fund, a major initiative aimed at transforming how millions of people across the region cook their daily meals. With a generous US$1 million investment, the fund seeks to reduce the harmful impacts of traditional cooking methods by supporting projects that promote the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
In West Africa, over 267 million people still rely on firewood and other biomass fuels for cooking. These outdated methods not only pose serious health risks, especially to women and children, but also lead to deforestation and high greenhouse gas emissions. The Clean Cooking Fund offers a chance to reverse these effects by supporting community-based solutions that bring clean, safe, and sustainable energy alternatives to kitchens across the region.
What the Fund Supports
The fund focuses on projects that encourage the use of LPG through:
- Behavior-change campaigns such as cooking classes, live food demonstrations, and community engagement events.
- Consumer education programs that promote the health, economic, and environmental benefits of clean cooking technologies.
- Consumer financing options, including microloans or pay-as-you-go systems, to make LPG more affordable for low-income households.
- Women empowerment initiatives, especially those training women as clean cooking ambassadors and giving them leadership roles in local energy adoption.
Eligible Countries
The fund will support projects implemented in the following West African countries:
Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
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Who Can Apply
To qualify for funding, applicants must:
- Be registered NGOs or local organizations.
- Show strong financial standing and a proven record in community development or clean energy projects.
- Be willing to collaborate with public institutions (although direct funding to governments is not allowed).
- Agree to submit quarterly progress reports and undergo regular financial and impact audits.
- Use LPG equipment that meets national and international safety standards.
Application Deadline
Interested organizations must submit their proposals by December 31, 2025.
For more details or to apply, visit the Worthington Companies Foundation website.
