ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS OVERSEAS
The trust continues to support community-based renewable energy projects which aim to help people to help themselves in an environmentally sustainable way. These projects help to alleviate poverty by using renewable energy technologies for the enhancement of income generation, agriculture, educational activities and health facilities. We focus almost exclusively on projects in Africa, in particular in East Africa.
The trust has supported the development of the Appropriate Technology Centre in Mbale, Uganda which disseminates appropriate technologies to rural communities. The Centre aims to provide both outreach and practical demonstrations of working technologies and how they can be used. The ATC has had great success in disseminating Interlocking Stabilised Soil Block (ISSB) making to local communities and institutions and also to international development agencies and governmental bodies. This simple technology uses pressure rather than kiln firing to make soil bricks to be used for construction. This makes the bricks far cheaper and more accessible to poor families and has almost no environmental impact. We hope that similar projects can be replicated through the development of strong networks such as the East African Energy Technology Development Network, which we have supported over a number of years.
In addition to support for appropriate and renewable energy projects on the ground, we have also supported the New Economics Foundation’s work on climate change. This programme focuses primarily on building understanding and consensus amongst development and environment NGOs about the best ways of tackling climate change at both the macro and micro levels. This reflects the trusts overall concern to ensure that climate change is high on the international agenda.
Appropriate Technology
- Appropriate Technology Centre, Uganda (support over a period of three years)
The ATC in Mbale, Uganda disseminates the uptake and implementation of appropriate technology to rural communities. The ATC focuses on those technologies which can make a real difference at a household and community level to the provision of basic needs: fuel, water, sanitation and shelter.
http://makiga.com/ - Renewable Energy Technology Assistance Programme (RETAP), Kenya (organisational support over a period of six years)
RETAP’s project in the Mount Kenya region works with schools to develop woodlots within school grounds to supply fuel wood to the kitchen, and to sell surplus wood locally. Alongside the woodlots, schools also benefit from a fuel efficient stove which greatly reduces wood consumption and eliminates indoor smoke pollution. The woodlots are maintained by students and used by teachers as an educational tool. - Intermediate Technology Development Group, Kenya (organisational support over a period of 14 years)
ITDG has supported the development of the East African Energy Technology Development Network. This network of NGOs, governmental bodies and community initiatives now has a membership of over 80 including non-energy related development organisations such as the Anglican Church of Kenya and World Vision plus government members such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Kenya and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development in Uganda. Members can access training and information on a range of energy technologies and skills and networking opportunities. The network is now an independent organisation effectively implementing best practice in household energy delivery and raising awareness of the links between sustainable energy and poverty alleviation via its member organisations. - Community Action for Rural Development (organisational support over a period of 12 years)
Towards a training programme for vulnerable women in food processing and preservation technology in Pudokkottai District, India. Over a six-month period 60 women will receive training in subjects such as commercial bread making and vegetable processing. At the end of the course they will have access to loans from a local bank enabling them, with support, to set up their own food processing businesses. - Energy Alternatives Africa (organisational support over a period of 11 years)
Following on from a project which installed solar and biogas systems for members of the Kiegoi Tea Cooperative in the Mount Kenya region EAA could see the potential opportunities of developing further implementation of biogas in this region. The feasibility study and business planning process will develop a more comprehensive, commercially-led proposal for the promotion of biogas technologies and a business study of the potential market, the barriers to entry and the financial requirements for potential purchasers and the specific types of digesters which would best fit the market in the Mount Kenya region (where demand for fuel wood is fierce). - Solarnet (organisational support over a period of 9 years)
Solarnet was established in 1998 to develop the non-commercial infrastructure to enable the dissemination of renewable energy technologies in East Africa. Ashden has supported their development with grants towards their core costs for some years.
http://www.solarnet-ea.org/
http://www.itdg.org/?id=region_east_africa_energy
Climate Change
- New Economics Foundation (organisational support over a period of four years)
Support towards NEF’s climate change programme focussing on building understanding and consensus amongst development and environment NGOs about the best ways of tackling climate change at both macro and micro levels and ensuring that the links between climate change and poverty are fully comprehended and fed into policy-making.
http://www.neweconomics.org/gen/
