[{"bbox": [96, 152, 1135, 499], "category": "Text", "text": "areas while reducing CO2 emissions by replacing fossil fuels with alternatives for clean cooking in order to mitigate the unsustainable production of charcoal and its impact on deforestation. In addition, access to energy will contribute to the implementation of the gender equality agenda thanks to women benefiting notably from new empowerment opportunities, reduced exposure to respiratory related diseases, and better security and improved maternity services at health centres. As such, the action will support the implementation of the Uganda National Development Plan (NDP) III (2021-2025)² that reflects the commitment of the Government of Uganda to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). In particular the action will contribute mainly to the achievement of the SDG7 – universal access to energy and SDG 13 – climate change. Better access to energy will also support the achievement of SDG 5 – gender equality, SDG 8 – decent work, SDG 9 – industrialization and SDG 11 – sustainable communities. The action is also aligned with the Renewable Energy Policy for Uganda³ and its key policy principles that call for stronger participation of the communities in renewable energy projects, to guarantee that these will take into account the needs of people living in poverty, and that calls for gender mainstreaming in renewable energy development strategies to ensure their benefits reach all groups."}, {"bbox": [96, 522, 1135, 843], "category": "Text", "text": "For the action's implementation, the EU's financial contribution will be allocated to the Africa Blending Platform which allows to streamline EU policies and to have a leverage effect by crowding in financial resources from European development banks, the Government of Uganda and the private sector. A concessional loan is expected to cover the cost associated to grid reinforcement and extension while the EU grant support should cover the cost for last mile infrastructure and required subsidies to support the development of mini-grids by private investors favouring affordability for consumers. The blending mechanism will also allow to further build the Team Europe approach with the support of a partner European finance institution – to be selected – while reinforcing the EU’s position as a reliable and trusted partner on the policy dialogue with the Government, important in view of the ongoing reform of the electricity sector (re-bundling). In the framework of the bilateral cooperation with the Government of Uganda, the action will contribute to the Priority Area 2 of the Multiannual Indicative Programme⁴ (MIP), Promoting Sustainable and Inclusive Growth and Jobs, by supporting the development of economic and connectivity infrastructure."}, {"bbox": [86, 1572, 728, 1598], "category": "Footnote", "text": "² http://www.npa.go.ug/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NDPIII-Finale_Compressed.pdf"}, {"bbox": [86, 1597, 639, 1623], "category": "Footnote", "text": "³ https://etutoring.gayazahs.sc.ug/uploads/ebooks/1336063700.pdf"}, {"bbox": [86, 1622, 944, 1646], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁴ https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-01/mip-2021-c2021-9149-uganda-annex_en.pdf"}, {"bbox": [1038, 1680, 1142, 1705], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 4 of 21"}]