Request for Proposals: Clean Cooking Solutions and Mitigation Action Programme (Ethiopia)

Deadline: 25-Sep-2026

Education Cannot Wait (ECW) is seeking qualified organisations, project developers, and technical service providers for a Clean Cooking Solutions and Mitigation Action in Schools for Carbon Finance pilot programme in Ethiopia. The initiative will deploy clean cooking technologies and other climate mitigation measures in schools, generate high-quality carbon credits, and explore how carbon finance can provide additional resources for education systems. The pilot will run for up to 24 months, with activities initially targeting at least 60 schools across two regions. The maximum project size is US$2.5 million, and eligible applicants must be legally registered in Ethiopia, have at least five years of operational experience, work in at least two regions, and demonstrate relevant expertise in education, energy, carbon crediting, and school-based interventions. What Is the Clean Cooking Solutions and Mitigation Action in Schools Programme? The Clean Cooking Solutions and Mitigation Action in Schools for Carbon Finance programme is an Education Cannot Wait pilot initiative in Ethiopia. The programme will explore whether climate mitigation activities implemented through schools can generate measurable and tradeable carbon credits that can subsequently help unlock additional financing for education. The initiative particularly focuses on clean cooking because access to clean cooking remains extremely limited in Ethiopia, while school feeding programmes are expanding. Why Is the Programme Important? According to the programme description, approximately 90% of Ethiopia’s population lacks access to clean cooking. At the same time, school feeding programmes are expanding and creating a significant opportunity to introduce cleaner cooking technologies into education infrastructure. School-based clean cooking interventions can potentially deliver several benefits simultaneously. A major objective of the pilot is to determine how school-based climate interventions can generate high-quality carbon credits. The programme aims to develop projects that can potentially meet internationally recognised carbon-crediting standards, including Gold Standard. In the longer term, the initiative also aims to explore whether generated mitigation outcomes could qualify as Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement. Selected partners will be responsible for implementing the pilot and completing the technical, operational, monitoring, and stakeholder activities required to establish a credible carbon-finance model. Where Will the Pilot Be Implemented? The pilot will be implemented in Ethiopia. The deployment phase is expected to cover: At least 60 schools. At least two regions. Applicants therefore need sufficient operational capacity and geographic presence to work across multiple regions. Three Phases of the Pilot The programme is structured around three major phases over 24 months.

Phase 1: Feasibility Assessment and Pilot Design

The first phase will establish whether the proposed clean cooking and mitigation interventions are technically, financially, and operationally feasible. Clean cooking interventions can be particularly important for women and children because they may experience significant exposure to household or institutional cooking activities. Applicants should therefore incorporate gender-responsive and socially inclusive approaches throughout project design and implementation. Child Safeguarding Because the intervention will take place in schools, child safeguarding is a core requirement. Applicants must demonstrate that appropriate safeguarding standards, policies, procedures, and risk-management measures are in place. Explain how lessons from the initial 60-school pilot could support future expansion across Ethiopia. Tips for a Strong Proposal Demonstrate Carbon-Finance Expertise Carbon credit generation is central to this opportunity. Applicants should provide strong evidence of previous carbon project development, crediting, or MRV experience. Make the Education Connection Clear The project should not be presented simply as a clean cooking or carbon project. Explain how climate mitigation activities can strengthen education systems and school environments. Prioritise Measurable Results

Define measurable indicators covering:

Schools reached. Technologies deployed. Energy savings. Emissions reductions. Carbon credits generated. Students and staff benefiting. Health or environmental co-benefits. Build a Strong MRV Framework The credibility of the carbon-finance model depends heavily on reliable monitoring and verification. Plan for Scale Explain how the pilot can generate evidence and systems that can be replicated in additional schools and regions. Common Mistakes to Avoid Failing to Demonstrate Carbon Experience A general environmental background may not be sufficient if the applicant cannot demonstrate relevant carbon-crediting expertise. Ignoring School-Specific Requirements Technologies must be appropriate for school environments and operational realities. Weak Baseline Data Carbon-crediting requires credible baseline information. Applicants should explain how baseline data will be collected and managed. Treating MRV as an Afterthought Monitoring, reporting, and verification should be integrated into the project design from the beginning. Ignoring Gender and Safeguarding Gender equity, social inclusion, and child safeguarding are explicit programme requirements and should be integrated throughout the proposal. Focusing Only on Carbon Credits The programme also values broader benefits such as improved air quality, reduced health burdens, and better learning environments. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) What is the Clean Cooking Solutions and Mitigation Action in Schools programme? It is an Education Cannot Wait pilot programme in Ethiopia designed to deploy clean cooking and other climate mitigation solutions in schools w