Deadline Date: May 30, 2026
The United Nations Development Programme is requesting applications to submit proposals for renewable energy adoption and expansion projects under the CREATE programme in Eswatini.
The programme focuses on advancing inclusive economic development across agriculture, manufacturing, ICT, and services by promoting renewable energy adoption and energy efficiency, supporting expansion of renewable energy access such as solar PV and biogas, encouraging productive use of energy for irrigation, processing, cold storage, ICT services, and production equipment, strengthening value chains through clean energy integration, facilitating access to finance, enhancing sustainability and competitiveness of enterprises, and promoting reinvestment of energy savings for business growth and scale.
The Catalyser for Renewable Energy Access and Transition in Eswatini (CREATE) programme is a government-led initiative implemented by UNDP Eswatini and Catalyse Swaziland. The call for proposals was announced at the EU Delegation to Eswatini. The programme aims to create a conducive environment for MSMEs to adopt renewable energy and improve energy efficiency while strengthening their long-term productivity and competitiveness.
Eligible MSMEs must be registered in Eswatini and operate in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, ICT, and services. They must comply with national statutory requirements including tax, labour, social, and environmental obligations. Businesses should demonstrate active energy use in their operations, maintain proper financial records, and operate from standalone or commercial premises. Youth- and women-led enterprises are strongly encouraged to apply.
Projects must demonstrate impact in at least one key area, including expanding access to renewable energy, improving productive energy use across business activities, or strengthening sector value chains using clean energy solutions. In addition, proposals should clearly outline strategies for reinvesting energy savings to enable further growth and scaling of operations.
The programme has set clear targets, including receiving 1,000 applications from bankable businesses in targeted sectors, developing 320 business plans, supporting 250 MSMEs to access blended finance from local financial institutions, and unlocking 5 million euros in debt and equity investments for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
While CREATE does not provide direct funding, it offers structured technical support to help MSMEs become investment-ready. Participating enterprises will benefit from assessment of renewable energy investment potential, development of bankable project proposals, structured engagement with financial institutions, and targeted technical coaching and advisory support. These efforts are designed to facilitate access to finance and support the transition toward sustainable energy solutions.
For more information, visit UNDP.
