The West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) has announced the first edition of the WASCAL Innovative Ideas Competition for Sustainable Energy (WISE) 2025, offering funding of up to €20,000 per project. The competition runs from November 1 to December 31, 2025, and aims to accelerate innovation in renewable energy and green hydrogen technologies across West Africa.
About WASCAL
WASCAL is a leading climate research and capacity-building institution focused on helping West African countries address climate change challenges and improve the resilience of human and environmental systems. Through its Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen Coordination, WASCAL promotes clean energy development, policy advancement, and capacity building.
Some of its groundbreaking initiatives include:
- H2Atlas Africa Project – Mapping Africa’s green hydrogen potential.
- ECOWAS Green Hydrogen Policy and Strategy.
- Waste-to-Energy Project in Ghana – A hybrid model for sustainable energy production.
- BIO2H in Burkina Faso – Exploring bioenergy for green hydrogen production.
- REPGam in The Gambia – Promoting solar-powered community solutions.
Purpose of the WISE Competition
The WISE 2025 competition seeks to empower innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs to develop practical and scalable solutions that improve energy access and sustainability in West Africa. Supported by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR), the initiative aims to identify and fund short-term, high-impact projects focused on renewable energy and green hydrogen.
Objectives
- Support innovative projects in renewable energy and green hydrogen.
- Enhance electricity access in rural and peri-urban areas.
- Promote women’s participation in the renewable energy sector.
- Foster green technology entrepreneurship and sustainable development.
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Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be:
- Young West Africans (students, entrepreneurs, scientists, technologists, or associations) with a valid bank account.
- Registered associations or organizations in a West African country.
Eligible countries include Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and others.
Focus Areas
Projects should address one or more of the following themes:
- Renewable energy solutions and access
- Green hydrogen technologies
- Waste-to-energy and biomass recovery
- Energy-water-food nexus
- Energy efficiency and sustainability
- Women’s empowerment in renewable energy
- Green mobility and innovation
Funding and Duration
Each winning project will receive up to €20,000 for a maximum implementation period of 15 months.
Eligible costs include operational expenses, training, transportation, and project-related procurement.
Application Process
- Prepare your proposal following WASCAL’s guidelines.
- Include all required documents:
- Completed and signed the application form
- Endorsement letter from an institution or organization
- CV(s) of applicant(s)
- Registration certificate (for organizations)
- Submit your proposal in PDF format via email to application.wise@wascal.org by December 31, 2025 (11:59 PM GMT).
Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. The email subject line must read: “WISE Proposal Application.”
Evaluation and Selection
Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee of independent experts based on:
- Relevance and innovation of the idea
- Feasibility and technical quality
- Social and environmental impact
- Sustainability and scalability
- Applicant’s qualifications and capacity
Successful applicants will receive an award notification followed by a contract and implementation guidance.
Monitoring and Deliverables
WASCAL will monitor funded projects through periodic reports, site visits, and evaluations. Awardees must submit:
- Technical and financial reports after each milestone
- A final project report and documentation of results
- Acknowledgment of WASCAL and BMFTR in all publications
The WASCAL Innovative Ideas Competition for Sustainable Energy (WISE) 2025 is a powerful opportunity for young innovators to shape a greener, more resilient energy future in West Africa.
Submit your proposal now and be part of the next wave of sustainable energy changemakers!
For more information and inquiries, visit the WISE official platform.
