The Energy Efficiency Project for the Republic of Kazakhstan will improve energy efficiency in public and social facilities and the enabling environment for sustainable energy financing. The project consists of two components, investment and technical assistance. The first part will finance eligible subprojects to support a reduction in energy use of public buildings such as schools, kindergartens, clinics/hospitals, and street lighting. These subprojects will generate demonstrable energy cost savings and social co-benefits. Target facilities will be competitively selected based on calls for proposals and on basic eligibility criteria, including: (i) confirmation of public ownership; (ii) structural soundness of the facility; and (iii) absence of plans for closure, downsizing or privatization. The subprojects will be implemented in annual batches, so that construction can take place between heating seasons. Based on experiences gained in the first year, and results of EE market assessment studies, the selection and eligibility criteria for the subsequent years will be subject to modification. The second part concerns technical assistance (TA) to help ensure effective project implementation. The TA includes: (i) PIU project implementation support and capacity building (e.g., technical advisors, construction supervision, monitoring and reporting, project audit, staff training); (ii) technical studies; (iii) awareness, outreach and information campaigns; (iv) legal, institutional and regulatory reviews and workshops; (v) design of a sustainable energy financing mechanism; and (vi) other technical studies and TA as identified.