Energy is the driver of economic growth and development. The Long-term European Union – African Union Partnership on Renewable Energy (LEAP-RE) programme is geared to increase the use of Renewable Energy by applying balanced set of research, demonstration, technology transfer, human and institutional capacity projects both in Africa and Europe. It comprises a consortium of 39 partners from Europe and 44 from Africa. A budget of approximately € 32 Million, including € 15 Million from the European Commission (EC) under Horizon 2020 has been allocated.
SANEDI was appointed as an implementing and financing agent to oversee projects implemented by South African Research projects. Leap-Re International has approved seven projects for implementation over a 5-year period. The Department of Science and Innovation has made available R22 million to support the implementation of these research projects, with a further R5m anticipated funding to be availed by Leap-Re International.
The programme is structured in three Pillars, the first which is the focus of this call, aims to the implementation of transnational proposals for research, innovation, and capacity building, Pillar2, is a cluster of individual Research and Innovation (R&I) and capacity building projects implemented by members of the consortium, whilst Pillar3 focuses on programme management and the design of a long-term AU – EU strategic partnership on renewable energy.
Countries and funding organizations participating in the call: African countries: Algeria (MESRS, DGRSDT), Egypt (ASRT), Morocco (MENFPESRS, IRESEN), South Africa (DSI, SANEDI), Togo (University of Lomé); European countries: Belgium (FRS-FNRS), Finland (AKA), France (ANR, NEXA), Germany (FZJ-PtJ), Portugal (FCT), Romania (UEFISCDI), Spain (CDTI), UK (Loughborough University).
LEAP-RE is launched in the framework of the CCSE (Climate Change and Sustainable Energy) prioritized in the AU-EU HLPD Roadmap which focuses on supporting actions related to renewable energy, energy efficiency and cross-cutting issues such as human capital development and open access. This programme is coordinated by LGI CONSULTING (LGI, France), DSI (South-Africa) and SANEDI (South African National Development Institute).
