Global Platform for Action (GPA)

What Global Platform for Action (GPA) does

The Global Platform for Action (GPA) on Sustainable Energy in Displacement Settings is a UN-hosted, multi-stakeholder coordination initiative launched in January 2018 at Berlin's 'Energy for Displaced People' conference and formally transitioned to UNOPS/UNITAR hosting in April 2021. The GPA convenes a network of over 100 humanitarian, development, government, and private-sector partners — including UNHCR, IOM, WFP, FAO, UNDP, Mercy Corps, GIZ, and the IKEA Foundation — to accelerate Sustainable Development Goal 7 (affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy) in forced displacement and fragile contexts covering 117 million forcibly displaced persons across 104 countries. Its core deliverables are organized into five programmes (Decarbonising Humanitarian Energy, THEA, READS, EDM Training, SOLCO), four task forces (UN Decarbonisation, Humanitarian Energy Knowledge Hub, E-waste Management, Humanitarian Energy Exchange Network), a beta Humanitarian Energy Data Platform, and training offerings such as the Inclusive Energy Access 101 course. The platform is governed by a Steering Group of 14 advisory partners, funded primarily by the IKEA Foundation and DG ECHO with in-kind support from NORCAP and UK FCDO/TEA, and staffed by a lean 6-person secretariat led by Mark Gibson (Operational Lead) and Philip Sandwell (Research Lead).

Name

Global Platform for Action (GPA)

Legal name

Global Platform for Action on Sustainable Energy in Displacement Settings

Website

https://humanitarianenergy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Global Platform for Action (GPA) is a UN-hosted coordination platform that convenes over 100 humanitarian, development, government and private-sector partners to accelerate sustainable energy access for forcibly displaced persons across 104 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Humanitarian Energy Coordination Services

NAICS

International Affairs (928120), National Security and International Affairs (928), Public Administration (92)

SIC

International Affairs (9721), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

PPA Origination, Structuring & Offtake Contracting (Physical/Financial, Sleeves) (EUAMAMAD), Retail & Community PPAs (Community Solar/Shared Renewables) (EUAGADAC), Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) for Global Health (HLAJAOAD)

Keywords

• Humanitarian energy coordination
• Sustainable energy access
• Displacement settings
• Clean cooking solutions
• Energy access programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Geneva

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: The GPA Secretariat is hosted at UNOPS and receives financial support from the IKEA Foundation and the European Union's Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), with in-kind support from NORCAP and the UK FCDO through the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform. As a UN-hosted initiative, the GPA does not generate commercial revenue.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Global Platform for Action (GPA) is a global coordination and convening initiative that advances sustainable energy access in forced displacement and fragile contexts. It connects over 100 humanitarian and development partners through working groups, task forces, programmes, and field missions to deliver coordinated energy programming. The GPA Secretariat is hosted at UNOPS and funded by the IKEA Foundation and the European Union's DG ECHO.

Product overview

The Global Platform for Action (GPA) is a coordination and convening platform rather than a unified software product. It operates as a multi-stakeholder initiative hosted at UNOPS to accelerate SDG 7 in displacement settings. The portfolio includes five thematic programmes (Decarbonising Humanitarian Energy, THEA, READS, EDM Training, SOLCO), four Task Forces (UN Decarbonisation, Knowledge Hub, E-waste Management, Exchange Network), and various training offerings including the Inclusive Energy Access 101 course. Additionally, GPA maintains a Humanitarian Energy Data Platform for tracking energy access data across displacement contexts. These components work together to provide coordination, advocacy, research, and capacity-building services to the humanitarian energy sector.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Humanitarian Energy Knowledge Hub: Task force focused on knowledge management and sharing in humanitarian energy sector
• Humanitarian Energy Exchange Network
• UN Decarbonisation Task Team
• E-waste Management in Displacement Settings
• THEA Programme
• READS Programme
• SOLCO
• EDM Training
• Decarbonising Humanitarian Energy

Products and services

• Decarbonising Humanitarian Energy Programme A programme focused on reducing fossil fuel dependence in humanitarian operations through renewable energy solutions and energy service contracts.
• THEA (Transforming Humanitarian Energy Access) Programme A programme working to ensure transformative change in the humanitarian sector with inclusive approaches where displaced persons participate as co-actors in improving energy access.
• READS (Roadmaps for Energy Access in Displacement Settings) Programme A data platform and programme providing roadmaps and data analysis for energy access in displacement settings across Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya.
• EDM Training A training programme for energy data management and measurement in humanitarian settings.
• SOLCO (Solar Electric Cooking Partnership for Displacement Contexts) A partnership initiative focused on accelerating solar electric cooking solutions in displacement settings.
• UN Decarbonisation Task Team A task force working on decarbonising UN humanitarian operations through standard energy service contracts and renewable energy transitions.
• Humanitarian Energy Knowledge Hub A knowledge hub providing resources, data, and evidence on sustainable energy in humanitarian settings.
• E-waste Management in Displacement Settings A task force addressing e-waste challenges arising from renewable energy and solar equipment deployments in displacement contexts.
• Humanitarian Energy Exchange Network A network facilitating knowledge exchange and coordination among field practitioners working on energy in displacement settings.
• Humanitarian Energy Data Platform A beta data sharing platform providing global information on energy aspects in humanitarian settings including displaced population energy access, humanitarian projects, country energy policies, settlement ecosystem profiles, and stakeholder mapping.
• Inclusive Energy Access 101 Training A four-week self-paced course introducing core concepts of energy and inclusion for humanitarian practitioners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 37 million FDPs lack access to electricity; 50 million FDPs lack access to clean cooking
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• RenewviamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Renewvia partnered with GPA to present at the Roundtable on Electrification for Economic Development, showcasing large-scale solar solutions for Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya.
• Humanitarian Energy PLCmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Co-founded by Mercy Corps, Humanitarian Energy PLC presented at the GPA roundtable on electrification, showcasing commercial mini-grid solutions in Ethiopian refugee settlements.
• Humenergi Uganda Ltd.majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Established by Mercy Corps, Humenergi Uganda Ltd. participated in GPA roundtable, presenting their blended finance facility for off-grid energy companies in refugee hosting districts.
• Social FinancemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Social Finance co-hosted a roundtable with GPA on the margins of the Humanitarian Finance Summit, focusing on investment ecosystems for energy access in fragile settings.
• Carbon TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Carbon Trust co-hosted the GPA roundtable on building energy ecosystems, bringing expertise on clean energy transitions and carbon finance.
• Access to Energy Institute (A2EI)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026A2EI co-developed and co-facilitated the GPA ecosystem workshop with senior sector leaders.
• Energy Peace PartnersmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Energy Peace Partners participated in GPA workshop on investment ecosystem for energy access in displacement settings.
• Energy Savings TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Energy Savings Trust co-facilitated GPA workshop bringing technical expertise on energy efficiency in humanitarian contexts.
• NORCAPmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026NORCAP participated in GPA field mission to Kakuma-Kalobeyei, Kenya, with support from EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid.
• Last Mile ClimatemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Last Mile Climate joined the GPA field mission to Kakuma-Kalobeyei, contributing to understanding the energy landscape.
• Mwangaza LightminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Mwangaza Light participated in GPA field mission to Kakuma-Kalobeyei, championing clean cooking transition in the region.
• United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2021UNOPS hosts the GPA Secretariat. The GPA transitioned to being hosted by UNOPS, providing institutional support and operational infrastructure for the global coordination platform on sustainable energy in displacement settings.
• NORCAPmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019NORCAP provides in-kind support to the GPA, including staffing and technical expertise through the Norwegian Refugee Council's pool of experts.
• UNHCRcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019UNHCR is a key advisory partner in the GPA Steering Group, providing strategic guidance on sustainable energy programming for refugees and displaced persons.
• International Organization for Migration (IOM)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019IOM serves on the GPA Steering Group and contributes to data collection and energy programming for displaced populations.
• World Food Programme (WFP)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019WFP participates in the GPA Steering Group, contributing expertise on energy needs in food security and humanitarian operations contexts.
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019FAO contributes to the GPA Steering Group on agricultural energy needs and food systems in displacement settings.
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019UNDP participates in the GPA Steering Group, linking energy access to sustainable development goals in displacement contexts.
• UNEP-CCCmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019UNEP Climate and Clean Air Coalition contributes to GPA initiatives on climate action and sustainable energy in humanitarian settings.
• Mercy CorpsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Mercy Corps is an active GPA partner, co-founding Humanitarian Energy PLC and implementing energy access programs including Enter Energy Ethiopia and SOLCO.
• Practical ActionmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Practical Action contributes technical expertise to GPA working groups on energy in displacement settings.
• SNVmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019SNV participates in GPA activities focused on sustainable energy programming in development and humanitarian contexts.
• GIZmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019GIZ contributes to GPA through the Energizing Development program and supports workshops on de-risking energy service contracts.
• Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019MECS programme contributes expertise on clean cooking solutions and data collection methodologies to GPA.
• Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019SEforALL participates in GPA Steering Group, aligning efforts to achieve SDG 7 in displacement contexts.
• Clean Cooking AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Clean Cooking Alliance contributes to GPA initiatives focused on clean cooking solutions for displaced populations.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Energypedia: Open knowledge platform for the energy access community; referenced directly by GPA as a resource hub and operates an overlapping webinar series on sustainable energy in humanitarian settings, making it a thematic peer in knowledge dissemination.

Broad incumbents

• Practical Action Consulting: International NGO with deep expertise in energy access for poor and displaced communities; a GPA Steering Group partner contributing technical expertise on humanitarian energy programming.
• UNEP Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC): UNEP-hosted global coalition on climate and clean air; a GPA Steering Group member that works on decarbonising humanitarian operations and overlaps with GPA's UN Decarbonisation Task Team.
• GIZ Energizing Development (EnDev): German government-funded energy access programme active in 25+ countries; a GPA Steering Group partner with a much larger budget and field presence, making it a broad incumbent that overlaps in decentralised renewable energy and clean cooking.
• Mercy Corps Energy & Environment: Large INGO that co-founded Humanitarian Energy PLC and Humenergi Uganda with commercial energy operations in displacement settings; a GPA Steering Group partner that executes programmes GPA convenes around.

Direct peers

• Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) Programme: FCDO-funded research-into-use programme on modern clean cooking; a GPA Steering Group member that jointly produces evidence and data methodologies on cooking transitions in displacement settings.
• Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL): Vienna- and Dublin-based global platform driving SDG 7 action; SEforALL sits on GPA's Steering Group and both organisations share a mandate to mobilise finance, policy and partnerships to close energy access gaps.
• UNHCR Innovation Service: UNHCR's internal innovation function works on energy access, protection and livelihoods for refugees; as a Steering Group member of GPA, it is the most natural institutional peer given the overlapping mandate on forcibly displaced populations.
• Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA): Global coalition hosted at the UN Foundation that accelerates the adoption of clean cooking solutions; directly overlaps with GPA's clean cooking workstream and shares the multi-stakeholder convening model for energy access in underserved contexts.
• IOM Energy Programme: The International Organization for Migration runs energy programming for displaced and mobile populations and is a GPA Steering Group member; both organisations coordinate the same donor ecosystem and serve overlapping populations.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/hashtag/HumanitarianEnergy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@EnergyGPA
• Facebookfacebook.com/UNITARHQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/energygpa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Global Platform for Action (GPA)