Energy Transition Facility Grant

About this grant

The Climate and Energy Response Facility (CERF) was a flexible, multi-year facility operated by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2022 to 2025. Its primary focus was on climate change mitigation — reducing or preventing greenhouse gas emissions — and supporting partner countries in accelerating their climate and energy transitions. CERF facilitated policy dialogues on climate mitigation ambitions and actions between Dutch diplomatic missions and partner countries, helping to co-create practical, locally tailored solutions. The facility financed activities in the areas of knowledge sharing, policy advice, and capacity strengthening, while also working to connect supporting instruments and establish partnerships including financial partnerships. It mobilised experts from various professional disciplines, financiers, and local stakeholders to speed up energy transition pathways. Key thematic areas included offshore wind, hydrogen, solar energy, and circular economy. CERF operated as a government-to-government facility, with Dutch diplomatic missions in selected partner countries designing tailored, multi-annual collaboration approaches for specific sectors. In other countries, shorter-term quick collaboration was supported. All activities had to align with the missions' multi-annual country strategies. CERF is now closed for new applications, and its work continues under the Climate, Water and Food facility (CWF).

Eligibility

CERF was a government-to-government facility exclusively for Dutch diplomatic missions. It supported climate diplomacy dialogue between the Netherlands and a set of selected partner countries across Africa, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, and Europe. Dutch companies participating in projects were required to follow OECD Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) guidelines, conduct a risk analysis of social and environmental risks, and complete an RBC self-assessment as part of the application process. The facility was not open to general applicants; engagement was channelled through Dutch diplomatic missions in eligible partner countries.

How it's scored

Applications were assessed in part on compliance with international Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) guidelines. Applicants were required to demonstrate awareness of and adherence to OECD guidelines, carry out a proper risk analysis of social and environmental risks, and state measures to prevent and reduce those risks. The RBC self-assessment completed by Dutch companies was a formal requirement for project approval. The overall approach and proposed interventions also had to align with the Dutch diplomatic missions' multi-annual country strategies.

Key requirements

• ✓Applicant must be a national government or government partner in eligible MENA or African countries
• ✓Proposal must focus on energy transition to sustainable energy supply
• ✓Government-to-government collaboration framework applies; Netherlands Enterprise Agency evaluates and determines support modality

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for Energy Transition Facility?

Eligibility covers organisations in DZ, EG, JO, LB, MA, MZ and 2 more countries; local-authority. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Renewable energy funding covers solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal and bioenergy, from early research to grid-scale deployment. Public money tends to back demonstration, grid connection and access to energy in emerging markets, while procurement notices buy installation, operation and maintenance. Calls often ask for proof of resource assessment, permitting progress and local partners.