Implementing sustainable

cooling solutions

About Us

Accelerating sustainable cooling, from pledge to project

EPIC Deploy (Enabling Pledge Implementation for Cooling) is an initiative launched by the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE), in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It aims to promote scalable, bankable and climate-resilient sustainable cooling solutions, with a particular 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. By translating the commitments of the Global Cooling Pledge into concrete, deployment-ready projects, EPIC Deploy seeks to generate measurable environmental, social and economic impact in the eligible countries.

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Call for proposals

Targets

Countries
Kenya, Morocco, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Brazil

Sectors
Tertiary: Hospitals, universities, public buildings – efficiency, comfort, resilience
Industrial & cold chain: Ports, food‑chain logistics – reduce losses, improve efficiency, cut emissions

Budget

Grant Availability
From USD 200,000 to USD 1,000,000

Project Budget
There is no maximum budget amount or project size, provided that the project has a minimum of 20% co-financing and meets the above grant range. A project requesting the maximum USD 1,000,000 EPIC Deploy grant would need to provide at least USD 200,000 in co-financing, but may include a higher amount of co-financing and therefore have a total project budget above USD 1.2 million.

Open to

International consortia comprising public, private and/or research entities

View the official launch

On the 21 of July 2026, we hosted a deep‑dive webinar covering the scope, eligibility, and application process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply?

International consortia 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).

What is the minimum and maximum project budget?

There is no maximum budget amount or project size, provided that the project has a minimum of 20% co-financing and meets the above grant range. A project requesting the maximum USD 1,000,000 EPIC Deploy grant would need to provide at least USD 200,000 in co-financing, but may include a higher amount of co-financing and therefore have a total project budget above USD 1.2 million.

What sectors are covered?

We focus on two areas:
Tertiary sector – hospitals, universities, public buildings – for efficiency, comfort, and resilience

Industrial sector and cold chain – port infrastructure and food‑chain logistics – to reduce losses, improve efficiency, and cut emissions.

When does the application process open?

The call for proposals will be officially launched on the 21st of July 2026, with the application portal opening in mid‑July. The submission deadline is 31 October 2026.

Do I need to submit a full proposal immediately?

No. First, register your interest via the form on this page. Once the portal opens, you will receive instructions and a link to submit your full proposal.

Is there a template for the proposal?

Yes, application template and Terms of Reference will be shared with you after registration,

How to apply

Register your interest

Fill in the form.

Review the Terms of reference

You will receive an email with access to the Terms of Reference and all the documents required to prepare your application.

Prepare your proposal

Build a consortium and start preparing your project proposal.

Apply

Submit by 31 October 2026.
The review, selection and due diligence process is expected to take approximately six months before project implementation can begin.