Presentation webinar of the programme EPIC Deploy
Updates • Rising temperatures
UN & Italy open cooling tenders for 5 countries
By Sergio Matalucci
Published September 1, 2026
Cooling demand is rising rapidly, putting increasing pressure on energy systems and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. By supporting practical projects in developing markets, the programme can help accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient and climate-resilient cooling technologies, with applications in different sectors, including the health sector.
The Italian government, in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Cool Coalition, has opened the first EPIC Deploy Call for Proposals (Enabling Pledge Implementation for Cooling). The grants aim to promote scalable, climate-resilient and sustainable cooling solutions, with a focus on the tertiary sector, industry and the cold chain.
“The initiative supports technically and financially viable pilot projects that deliver measurable energy-efficiency and environmental benefits, strengthen climate resilience, and demonstrate a clear pathway towards implementation, replication and market uptake,” said the UN and the Italian government.
Grants must range between $200,000 and $1 million. There is no maximum project budget or size, provided that the project receives at least 20% in co-financing.
Applications for projects in Brazil, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco and Tunisia will close on 31 October 2026. Projects must be proposed by international consortia comprising public, private and/or research entities.
“International consortia must be composed of at least one public, one private, and/or one research entity. At least one partner must be based in one of the target countries (Kenya, Morocco, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Brazil),” reads the related website.