Call for Proposals - PR Services 2026

About the Call for Proposals

GOGLA is the global off-grid solar association. Our members, partners, investors and governments rely on GOGLA as the sector’s trusted convenor and source of market intelligence, providing the evidence and insights needed to influence policy, unlock finance and enable sustained energy access. With the right support, our industry is poised to scale rapidly, aiming to improve the lives of 1 billion people by 2030.

One of our strategic pillars of action is to convene the industry and its allies to drive energy access. The biennial Global Off-Grid Solar Forum and Expo, which we’ll host in Kigali from the 27th to the 29th of October 2026, is its best example.

Our Industry
Off-grid solar technologies are emerging as one of the most dynamic and scalable solutions to expand clean energy access globally. By providing renewable, standalone and increasingly affordable electricity without the need for grid infrastructure, these systems are uniquely positioned to reach remote and underserved communities. With more than 600 million people worldwide still lacking access to electricity—most of them in Sub-Saharan Africa—off-grid solar is widely recognized as the fastest and most cost-effective way to deliver basic energy services to almost half of those currently unserved. The sector will therefore play a critical role in achieving universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy under Sustainable Development Goal 7 and initiatives such as Mission 300, which aim to dramatically expand electrification across the African continent.

The off-grid solar ecosystem encompasses a diverse and rapidly evolving range of technologies. Solar lanterns, home systems and generators provide reliable lighting and household electricity, while solar-powered radios, televisions and phone charging enable access to information and digital connectivity. Newer applications are expanding the scope of impact even further, including solar refrigeration and cooling for food preservation and health services, as well as productive technologies such as solar irrigation pumps, mills and incubators that support smallholder farmers and rural enterprises. These solutions are increasingly used not only by households but also by farms, micro- and small businesses, schools and health centres, enabling better livelihoods, improved incomes and new green jobs in rural economies.

A particularly promising development is the growth of Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE), which focuses on using decentralized solar power to generate income and economic activity. By powering agricultural processing, irrigation, refrigeration and small-scale manufacturing, off-grid solar can strengthen local value chains and create more resilient rural economies. In this way, the sector is not only addressing energy poverty but also contributing to broader development outcomes, including food security, climate resilience and economic inclusion.

Despite this strong momentum, unlocking the sector’s full potential will require continued investment and supportive policy environments. Macroeconomic volatility, currency risk and affordability constraints in many emerging markets can challenge business models, while awareness of the technology’s capabilities among some policymakers and climate stakeholders remains limited. However, these challenges also highlight the opportunity for catalytic approaches such as blended finance, where public funding helps mobilize private investment and accelerate scale. With the right support, off-grid solar is well positioned to become a central pillar of the global energy transition and one of the most impactful tools for expanding energy access in the coming decade.

Who are our audiences?

• Philanthropies and development partners, who need to work with GOGLA to enhance financial and programmatic support for the sector and our work. These actors are critical for ensuring we achieve basic electricity access for all, and unlock the potential of off-grid solar for meeting other development and climate goals.

• National and regional policymakers, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, who need to create and maintain a favorable regulatory environment in countries and regions with low energy access. We want these stakeholders to understand the benefits of off-grid solar to help them meet their national electrification goals, and as an enabler of their other development priorities (e.g. agriculture, job creation and health).

• Impact and climate investors (current and potential) who we want to invest in and support the industry. We want these stakeholders to understand the opportunity the sector offers to patient investors who have a mandate to achieve impact and climate goals, while generating returns.

• Commercial investors (current and potential) need to provide commercial financing for our industry. We want these actors to be interested in the new opportunities for investment in the sector as it is being de-risked (e.g. via upcoming policies and programmes etc), as they see successful innovations and exits by other investors, and as they see the significant potential for the industry and technology to scale.

• Organisations and policymakers working in the agricultural sector, who need to become aware of the potential of PURE for their space and of GOGLA’s role within it.

Our mission
Support our members to operate buoyant, sustainable, scalable, and impactful off-grid solar energy businesses.

Our vision
Over 1 billion lives improved with affordable, high-quality, small-scale solar energy products by 2030.

What do we need to achieve this year?

• Raise the profile of the off-grid solar industry and distributed renewable energy solutions as the fastest, most affordable pathway to deliver electricity access to hundreds of millions of people who need power now (#Power1BillionLivesNow). Why: to increase concessional financing for the sector by creating positive success and impact stories in ongoing international media and by amplifying key events and reports.

• Highlight the fundamental role of off-grid sola in #PuttingSolarToWork powering farms, businesses, and food systems, turning energy access into jobs, incomes, and resilience. Make the case for policymakers in low-income countries that it can generate savings and additional income streams, help modernise agriculture, enhance food and water security and support climate adaptation, health, safety, education, and more.

• Boost coverage for the 9th edition of the Global Off-Grid Solar Forum and Expo 2026 (GOGSFE26), that will include the launch of the Off-Grid Solar Market Trends Report. The event will take place from the 27th to the 29th of October 2026 in Kigali, co-hosted by GOGLA and the World Bank’s ESMAP. It is the leading meeting of the off-grid solar sector, providing a unique platform for knowledge exchange, networking and showcasing innovative products and services.

Location: Remote
Reporting to: Senior Communications Manager
Duration: April - November 2026
Applying: before 10th of April 2026

Scope of work:
To ensure our reports/initiatives launched during the rest of 2026, including GOGSFE26, are better covered by relevant media outlets, GOGLA is looking for a PR agency or independent consultant to:

• Advise on media strategy, manage media relations, support the creation of press releases, press kits, opinion pieces, infographics, photo and video material, etc.
  

• Manage media engagement before, during and after
  GOGSFE 26, including:

  • placing content pieces in relevant media outlets;

  • securing the participation of relevant media representatives at the event;

  • facilitating engagements of representatives of the organizers and selected sponsors with attending journalists;

  • compiling relevant media materials, including a press kit;

  • monitoring media outlets and compiling reports for internal evaluation and reporting.

Please note event organization, design and printing are not required as part of this assignment.

• Distribute press releases and identify additional media opportunities, securing coverage, monitoring results, analyzing outcomes and providing tips for improving.

Budget and timeframe
The indicative available budget is ca. 25,000 EUR including all taxes, fees and expenses.

The selected agency is expected to deliver its services within the period of April 2026 to November 2026, with a potential extension to be reviewed at the end of the collaboration period, and new terms drafted for 2027, if possible on a retainer.

The successful Consultant (firm) will bring with them:

We are looking for an agency or independent consultant with expertise influencing a global audience of decision-makers including government officials, development finance institutions, and large philanthropies. Ideally, the agency will have strong African presence, contacts and expertise, as well as global media expertise covering EU and US markets.

Experience within the energy, renewables, climate, international development and sustainability spaces is a huge plus.

GOGLA Values:
All staff at GOGLA are expected to work in line with our organization’s core values: being a change-maker, inclusive, responsive, passionate, and trusted. This means working proactively and collaboratively to drive positive impact in the off-grid solar sector, fostering an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and acting with integrity, transparency, and accountability in all that we do. Please see our website for more details about our values.