Renewable Lesotho The European Union¿s cooperation strategy with Lesotho, the Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2021-2027, focusses on two priority areas: (1) green and resilient economy and (2) good governance, peaceful and just society. Under the first priority area, EU cooperation aims to facilitate Lesotho¿s move towards a circular economy that becomes increasingly sustainable and self-sufficient with regard to energy generation and consumption and that provides affordable access for all to energy, water and sanitation. Under the second priority area, EU cooperation supports the process of national reforms undertaken by Lesotho and the improvement of service delivery to the citizenry, particularly social protection. Renewable Lesotho will contribute to the first priority area by promoting energy security, access to reliable and affordable clean energy, and green growth. Its specific objectives are to increase renewable energy generation capacity and energy efficiency, promote a more equitable and gender-transformative access to clean energy, and improve Lesotho¿s energy sector leadership and institutional capacity. The action foresees two components. The first component is dedicated to the energy sector market preparation and consists of technical assistance and capacity building activities dedicated to advancing the energy sector knowledge and capacities. These activities will support the public sector to establish an integrated renewable energy resource plan and policy frameworks, as well as developers and companies to develop their projects and obtain finance for renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives. The second component is dedicated to energy projects¿ implementation and support. The action will contribute to the establishment and operation of a National Energy Fund with dedicated technology lots and windows accompanied by a country window for facilitating access to commercial finance and other financing instruments (blending, guarantees, credit lines, etc.). Synergies with instruments such as EFSD+ will also be established. This component will bring together a mix of tools (project development support, matching grants, investment grants, results-based financing, as well as loans and guarantees) to support, among others, the development of the rooftop solar market, mini-grids, the commercialisation of improved cook-stoves, solar water heaters, energy efficient lamps, pay-as-you-go solar home systems (PAYGO SHS), as well as the introduction of renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions for public service, commercial and industrial facilities. Renewable Lesotho is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) as well as the National Strategic Development Plan II (NSDP II). It also advances the objectives of the EU Gender Action Plan III. By promoting renewable energy, energy efficiency and access to energy services, it directly contributes to the Green Deal Team Europe Initiative. This action will pave the way for potential blending operations, promoted by the Team Europe Initiative, to finance large-scale renewable energy infrastructure and position local project pipelines with global and regional facilities and instruments including opportunities for EFSD+ guarantees. Renewable Lesotho will also contribute to the overall UN strategy to `Leave no one behind¿, informing all actions under the MIP.