ACCESS Coalition Projects
Shaping Inclusive Energy Investment & Strengthening the ACCESS Coalition
- July 2024 – June 2027
This project accelerates universal access to sustainable energy across sub-Saharan Africa by influencing how major development finance institutions invest in energy access. It promotes meaningful community participation throughout the energy investment cycle, ensuring projects respond to local priorities and deliver lasting impact.
The initiative strengthens civil society leadership on Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) in six countries through evidence-based advocacy, shared learning, and institutional strengthening, while reinforcing the long-term effectiveness of the ACCESS Coalition.
Strengthening the ACCESS Coalition Project
- 2022 – June 2024
This project enhanced the capacity of the ACCESS Coalition to drive progress toward universal access to sustainable energy. It supported civil society organisations to influence energy investment strategies of the African Development Bank and the World Bank Group, with a strong focus on decentralized renewable energy and clean cooking.
Regional collaboration, knowledge sharing, and targeted advocacy amplified civil society voices and strengthened community participation in energy project design, implementation, and monitoring across six sub-Saharan African countries.
Phase II: Advancing a Clean and Just Energy Transition in Africa
- January 2024 – December 2024
This project strengthened civil society engagement in advocating for clean, inclusive, and equitable energy access. It supported CSOs to participate in national energy and SDG 7 processes, track progress, and engage decision-makers at national, regional, and international levels.
Learning exchanges and cross-country collaboration promoted best practices in energy advocacy while advancing a fair and just energy transition in at least six African countries.
Phase I: Strengthening Civil Society Action for Universal Energy Access
- October 2021 – September 2023
This project supported civil society organisations across sub-Saharan Africa to play a more influential role in shaping energy policies and investment decisions. It addressed critical capacity gaps that limit effective advocacy and energy service delivery.
Coordinated action through ACCESS Regional Nodes in East, West, and Southern Africa strengthened SDG 7 influencing strategies, expanded engagement in high-energy-need countries, and improved alignment between national priorities and regional and global energy policy processes.
Scaling Up Civil Society Advocacy for SDG 7
- 2022 – 2023
This project focused on accelerating progress toward universal access to affordable, reliable, safe, and sustainable energy by strengthening civil society advocacy and promoting inclusive energy solutions.
Collaboration among practitioners, communities, and civil society organisations across eight countries elevated local perspectives in energy decision-making, while engagement with major development banks encouraged investments aligned with community needs and sustainable development goals.
Our Approach
Bridging Stakeholders and Communities:
Connect governments and enterprises with energy-poor communities by strengthening CSO and CBO participation at all levels.
Championing Community Needs:
Amplify evidence and lived experiences to inform financing, planning, and policy reforms toward SDG 7 and a just energy transition.
Facilitating Knowledge Exchange:
Provide a platform for members to share lessons, innovations, and best practices in energy access.
Scaling Impact and Influence:
Grow funding and membership to expand regional reach, strengthen policy influence, and enable replication across countries.
Who We Are
Our Mission
Our mission is to advocate for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 7) to ensure everyone has access to safe, reliable and affordable energy, and for environmentally sustainable and efficient energy systems globally
Who We Are
Our Vision and Values
Our vision is a world where everyone has access to reliable, affordable, safe and sustainable energy to enable inclusive and climate-resilient local development
Our work is anchored in the following organizational values:
- Equity and Inclusion
- Climate and Environmental Justice
- Collaboration and Partnership
- Accountability and Transparency
- Local Leadership and Ownership
- Learning and Innovation
