In recent years, many countries and regions around the world have prioritized energy access as a key driver of socio-economic development. However, green growth in developing countries faces numerous challenges, particularly in integrating renewable energy and energy efficiency into national planning and creating an enabling environment for sustainable implementation of renewable energy projects.
EnGreen is deeply committed to addressing these challenges, especially the lack of information and training on green economy and renewable energy principles faced by all levels of society in developing countries, from local populations and small businesses to traditional leaders and high-level national politicians and officials.
Many public and private investors of all sizes require strong assistance in transitioning their energy access projects from ideas to sustainable and long-lasting implementation. EnGreen provides support throughout the energy project development stages, believing that mentoring is the first step in a capacity-building approach where people learn by doing.
Capacity building is one of the pillars of support, and increasingly, all types of investors recognize its importance because it provides a high investment advantage for each euro invested. EnGreen’s holistic vision ranges from developing masterplans (which allows and helps to create a stable and predictable investment environment and provides a framework for renewable energy stakeholders for the deployment and the design of suitable projects, which can than turn into affordability, environmental impacts management and investment into PUEs) to empower rural communities to managing the technical needs of renewable energy projects.
Technical needs may vary significantly by technology, and communities are often best suited to manage solar technologies that require only simple maintenance. However, local populations often lack even this basic knowledge. Therefore, EnGreen places great emphasis on training local technicians to improve the sustainability of projects.
EnGreen recently led a training course for over 80 technicians in Burundi who will be responsible for maintaining energy installations installed by the Italian Ngo AVSI Foundation with the support of the European Union in key community assets such as schools and hospitals. It was remarkable that more than half of the selected technicians were women, despite limited opportunities for women and vulnerable groups. Renewable energy and green growth projects can create new opportunities and conditions for women, contributing to real change.
EnGreen considers this activity incredibly important and challenging but also a privilege. By working with local people and understanding their real needs, EnGreen tries to create new opportunities for sustainable and efficient energy use while promoting gender equality and enhancing vital services for rural communities.
