BRUSSELS — The European Union will offer almost 100 environmental projects from developing countries around the world in an auction to try to attract donors to back them, the European Commission said Tuesday.
The “Auction Floor,” to be held in Brussels on March 13, will allow developing projects to meet potential donors such as local authorities, representatives of E.U. member states and private sector foundations.
“We are trying to find funding partners for some of the project proposals that were carefully selected under the European Commission’s evaluation process but that have not, despite their high scores, obtained an EC grant simply due to budget limitations,” E.U. External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said.
In December 2007, the commission launched a call for projects in the area of the environment, sustainable development and natural resources, including energy.
It received more than 1,000 proposals worth 1.5 billion euros ($1.94 billion).
In the end, around 50 projects were financed for 60 million euros, while almost 100 others were selected for the auction.
Donors will be able to choose whether to finance the fight against desertification in Afghanistan and Egypt, combat climate change in Peru or Bolivia, or fund renewable energy projects in Ethiopia.
