Hogan Lovells has opened the call for applications for the 'Community Solar Innovation Awards 2017' for eco-inclusive solar enterprises from developing countries until 16 August 2017. Launched today, the Hogan Lovells Community Solar Innovation Awards 2017 seek to recognize and reward outstanding eco-inclusive businesses and not-for-profit organizations in developing countries that use solar energy or technologies to benefit lives in poor communities. Judges will be looking for businesses which are locally-led and significantly improve the lives of women and girls, particularly those which focus on gender equality or female empowerment.

Winning enterprises will receive a tailor-made business support package including: up to USD30,000-worth of legal advice from Hogan Lovells; peer networking; one-on-one support and mentorship to develop business and financial plans; and support from SEED to replicate their business model in other regions around the world. Hogan Lovells will also provide USD10,000 to one overall winner to cover the organization’s most pressing needs. The awards are sponsored by Hogan Lovells and implemented by adelphi, with outreach support managed by SEED and Barefoot College.

According to Scot Anderson, Partner at law firm Hogan Lovells: “There is a real need to bring together the best experiences we have around the world in using solar energy to create businesses which are sustainable and provide jobs and services that people need. These Awards, run in association with SEED and Barefoot College, are designed to show that there is incredible innovation in capturing and using energy from the sun to make a real difference to the lives of people in some of the world’s poorest areas.”

An independent international judging panel will select the winners, who will be honoured at a ceremony in March 2018 in South Africa. The judges welcome business and not-for-profit entrants from developing nations around the world. Submissions should come from eligible non-OECD or non-European Union member states. Full eligibility criteria can be found at www.hoganlovellssolaraward.com. Applications can be submitted online or a PDF application form can be downloaded from the website and sent to applyhoganlovellssolarawards [dot] com (apply[at]hoganlovellssolaraward[dot]com).

The deadline for applications is 16 August 2017, 23:59 CET (Central European Time).

For more information, please contact applyhoganlovellssolaraward [dot] com (apply[at]hoganlovellssolaraward[dot]com).