ASCENT COMESA Platform
The ASCENT Project provides targeted technical assistance to participating countries, partners, and private sector entities to strengthen environmental and social (E&S) risk management. Support is aligned with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and best international practices, ensuring that energy access investments are environmentally sustainable, socially inclusive, and climate resilient.
CORE AREAS OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
- Project Preparation
- Support public and private sector entities to develop bankable and investment-ready projects by providing guidelines, screening tools, templates, and procedures for preparing key E&S instruments, including Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMF), Strategic Environmental and Social Assessments (SESA), Environmental and Social Managements (ESMPs), etc., in line with the World Bank ESF. Access ASCENT-developed resources and tools.
- Provide technical guidance and quality assurance to ensure safeguards instruments meet the requirements of the World Bank ESF and best international practices
- Support the preparation of Terms of Reference (ToRs) for consultants to ensure that E&S requirements are fully integrated into technical assistance and project design
2. Training and Capacity Building
- Facilitate the delivery of training programs for project implementation teams, government agencies, private sector entities, and key stakeholders on E&S safeguards
- Provide specialized training on managing risks related to gender-based violence (GBV), including sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEA/SH)
- Strengthen institutional capacity to effectively implement and monitor safeguards requirements
3. Policy & Regulatory Advisory
- Provide advisory support to governments to strengthen policy, legal, and regulatory frameworks for managing environmental and social risks in energy access projects
- Promote the integration of E&S safeguards into national systems and sector policies
- Support regional harmonization of standards and approaches, helping to reduce risks, improve compliance, and facilitate investment
4. Regional Harmonization & Knowledge Sharing
- Facilitate regional technical workshops and exchanges to promote peer learning and best practice sharing
- Disseminate knowledge products including standardized tools, templates, and best practices
HOW TO ACCESS SUPPORT
ASCENT participating countries, public institutions, and private sector actors can access E&S technical assistance through the following mechanisms:
- COMESA Secretariat / Project Implementation Unit (PIU)
- Requests for support can be submitted through national energy ministries, rural electrification agencies, or designated COMESA focal points
- The COMESA PIU serves as the central coordination unit, managing requests for technical assistance, project preparation, and safeguards support
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2. Project Preparation Facility
- Governments or private DRE companies can apply to the Project Preparation Facility (PPF) for technical assistance to undertake pre-feasibility studies including the preparation of safeguards instruments, business plans, etc. This is demand driven.
- Through the PPF, countries can request support specifically to integrate E&S safeguards in project design.
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3. Advisory Support Facility
- Public sector entities within the ASCENT countries can request advisory support from COMESA to develop or reform policy, regulatory, or legal frameworks, ensuring they include environmental and social risk management.
4. Knowledge Exchange / Workshops
- Countries can participate in ASCENT/COMESA regional workshops, training sessions, and knowledge-sharing events
5. Grievance Redress Mechanism
- Stakeholders may submit complaints, queries, or feedback through the ASCENT Grievance Redress Mechanism, Grieviance Submission Form