The purpose of AREED programme was to develop new sustainable energy enterprises that use clean, efficient, and renewable energy technologies (RET) to meet the energy needs of under-served populations in rural and periurban areas, while reducing the environmental and health impacts related to current energy use patterns. The three specific objectives as described in the project document are to: assist UN agencies to develop and internalize a new methodology for promoting private sector driven, clean energy technology adoption, build the capacity of national/regional NGOs to identify and support small and medium-size energy enterprises through their critical start-up phase, and assist regional/national financial institutions to better understand and ultimately invest in this sector.