MCA Kosovo has extended the deadline for grant applications of “Energy for Equality”, aiming to increase employment, retention, and career development of women in the energy sector.

Active Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the energy sector, as well as civil society organizations (CSOs) advocating for the inclusion of women and minorities in the energy sector, are encouraged to apply for grants.

Through this activity, grants will be distributed in the amounts of $30,000 and $60,000 to micro, small, medium enterprises in the energy sector and very soon the grants for large enterprises will be available in the amount of $120,000.  Civil society organizations that advocate for and promote gender equality and social inclusion will be eligible for grants of up to $40,000.

Grants of the “Energy for Equality” will provide financial support to enterprises in the energy sector and CSOs to establish gender-inclusive working environments. There are three types of measures that MCA Kosovo will support through grants: Policies, Projects and Initiatives.

Eligible entities can apply for development of policies to advance gender equality in the energy workforce, such as: gender policy/equal opportunity recruitment / equal pay, anti-harassment policy, flextime and home-office policy, policies addressing care responsibilities (including paternity leave, child-care, elderly care) and similar.

Under projects, eligible entities can apply for the development of lactation rooms, day-care facility or monetary support for childcare, software and platforms for remote learning, IT equipment to enable home office (laptops and similar) or others.

Initiatives will support internships (paid internship for at least 6 months) and mentorship programs, training & skills qualifications, advocacy activities (promoting role models), gender sensitivity and inclusivity campaigns, leadership programs and more.

These measures are only indicative while eligible entities are invited to propose different ideas for providing more inclusive workforce in the energy and adjacent sectors.

The deadline for application and submission of the Concept Note proposal is extended for December 16, through email: [email protected].

“Energy for Equality” supports the development of the Energy Strategy of the Republic of Kosovo. By working with energy and adjacent sector companies as well as CSOs it aims to improve women’s representation in the workforce. As part of the Just and Equitable Transition Acceleration Project, known as JETA Project, the end goal is to ensure that by 2031, at least 25% of those employed in this sector will be women.

For more information on “Energy for Equality,” please visit www.energyforequality.com.