Project Background
Arepo conducted a joint evaluation of the UNEP Seed Capital Assistance Facility (SCAF) Phase I and Phase II. SCAF I and II aimed to increase early-stage investment in developing countries contributing to low carbon sustainable development, economic growth, poverty reduction and climate change mitigation. Numerous barriers inhibit private sector financing of low-carbon projects in developing countries. During the early stage of development, projects carry a significant risk that is reduced only once all permits have been secured and the legal, operational and financial viability has been demonstrated. Although the investment requirements are modest at this stage, third-party financing usually is not available, leaving the financial burden to the project developers who themselves are often poorly capitalized and unable to fully develop projects on their own. SCAF addressed this financing gap by providing financial support on a cost-sharing and co-financing basis to low-carbon projects (wind, small hydro, photovoltaic, geothermal, biomass and biogas energy) via private equity (PE) funds, venture capital (VC) funds and project development companies (DevCos).
Type and scope of services
For SCAF I, a terminal evaluation was undertaken at completion of the project, while for SCAF II a mid-term evaluation was carried out. The evaluation included the provision of a joint Inception Report, the conduction of field trips as well as the compilation of two separate reports for the Terminal Evaluation of the “Seed Capital Assistance Facility, Phase I” and the Mid-Term Evaluation of the “Seed Capital Assistance Facility, Phase II”.