Last mile electrification support project Despite the enormous potential for&nbsp;deployement of renewable energy sources in the country and a current generation capacity surplus exceeding 500MW, over 20 million of Ugandans (45% of the total population) lack access to clean and affordable energy. The action specific objective is therefore to contribute to increase the number of peopleand businesses using sustainable, clean and affordable energy services in the country, in particular in rural areas with attention for women. . By doing so it is expected to enable conditions for sustainable economic growth and employment in Uganda(general objective). The action will try to address problems such as the lack of investment on the transmission and distribution network and limited access to finances for deployment of decentralized solutions in a cost-effective manner. To attain the objectives, the action will support a combination of grid extension to rural and peri-urban areas nationwide, last mile connection and provision of off-grid solutions in far to reach areas, in particular several islands in Lake Victoria. The action is expected to provide around 50 000 new connections benefiting around 250 000 people. A thousand (1000) micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) together with some 110 social institutions such as health centres and schools are also due to benefit from access to reliable and sustainable electricity. By increasing access to energy in rural areas the action is expected to sustain the creation of business opportunities and jobs, increase productivity in key value chain sectors and improve quality delivery of social services such as health and education. Better access to energy will also contribute to build a more resilient communities in rural areas while reducing the emissions of CO2 by replacing fossil fuels and offering alternatives for clean cooking and reducing the impact on deforestation for unsustainable production of charcoal. In addition, access to energy will contribute to the implementation of the gender agenda by women benefiting from new empowerment opportunities, reduction of respiratory related diseases, better security and improved maternity services at health centres amongst other benefits. As such, the action will support the implementation of the National Development Plan III (2021-2025) that reflects the commitment of the Government of Uganda to the&nbsp;Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).&nbsp;In particular the action will contribute mainly to the achievement of the SDG7- universal access to energy and SDG 13- climate change. However better access to energy will also support achievement of the SDG 5- gender equality, SDG 8 ¿ decent work, SDG 9 ¿ industrialization and SDG 11- sustainable communities. For the action implementation, the EU¿s financial&nbsp;contribution will be allocated to the Africa Blending Platform what allows to streamline EU policies and to have a leverage effect by crowding in financial resources from &nbsp;European development banks, the Government of Uganda and the private sector.&nbsp;A concessional loan&nbsp;is expected to cover the cost associated to grid reinforcement and extension while the EU grant support should cover the cost for last mile infrastructure and required subsidies to support development of mini-grids by private investors favouring affordability by consumers. The blending will also allow to further build the Team Europe approach while reinforcing the EU position as a reliable and trusted partner on the policy dialogue with the Government, important in view of the ongoing reform of the electricity sector (re-bundling). In the framework of the bilateral cooperation with Uganda, the action will contribute to the priority area 2 of the Multiannual Indicative Programme, Promoting Sustainable and Inclusive Growth and Jobs, by supporting development of economic and connecting infrastructure.&nbsp;