Grant agreement No. EIE/06/248/SI2.448127

Intelligent Energy – Europe (IEE) COOPENER

Acronym RENDEV

Title Reinforcing provision of sustainable ENergy services in Bangladesh and Indonesia for Poverty alleviation and sustainable DEVelopment

D10: District workshop: Country : Bangladesh

WP4 : Enabling cross-sector linkages in the use of renewable for micro-enterprise development

Title : Promotion of renewable energy technologies to rural stakeholders - Phulpur, Mymensingh- Bangladesh

Date of submission

January 26, 2009

Organization and responsible of the deliverable:

Grameen Shakti

Date of start of the project:

01 / 01 / 2007

Duration:

36 months

Organization and responsible of the project:

PlaNet Finance / Pascale Geslain

www.rendev.org

D10: District workshop - Phulpur, Mymensingh- Bangladesh Type : minutes Authors : Grameen Shakti

With the collaboration of : PlaNet Finance

X PU Public

PP Restricted to all participants of the project (including EU Services)

RE Restricted to a special group of participants of the project (including EU services)

CO Confidential, only for members of the consortium (including services of EU)

Disclaimer: The project "Reinforcing provision of sustainable ENergy services in Bangladesh and Indonesia for Poverty alleviation and sustainable DEVelopment (RENDEV)” is supported by the European Commission through the EIE programme (Grant agreement no. EIE/06/248). The sole responsibility for the content of this report lies with the authors. It does not represent the opinion of the European Communities. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

www.rendev.org

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The RENDEV project The RENDEV project aims to explore ways to link microfinance and access to renewable

energy, bringing a positive contribution in rural development and poverty alleviation in

Bangladesh and Indonesia by increasing access to solar energy, the development of micro

enterprise, and the provision of microfinance mechanisms tailored for low income people’s

needs.

The project started in January 2007 and will last until December 2009. RENDEV is financed

by the European Commission under its Intelligent Energy line.

The main objectives of the RENDEV project are:

To promote development of income generating activities with renewable energy

supply;

To identify measures justifying involvement of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in

the solar energy sector;

To build synergies between the microfinance sector, the renewable energy sector and

the micro enterprises in Bangladesh and Indonesia;

To better inform stakeholders providing pro-poor sustainable renewable energy

services;

To bring a positive impact on the quality of life in rural districts.

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Table of contents The RENDEV project............................................................................................................. 1 Table of contents................................................................................................................... 2 List of Abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 3 I. The Workshop ............................................................................................................... 4 II. The Story of Ambia: A Successful Green Entrepreneur ................................................. 6

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List of Abbreviations

NGO: Non Governmental Organization

GS: Grameen Shakti

PV: Photovoltaic

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I. The Workshop Grameen Shakti recently organized a workshop in Phulpur, Mymensingh to develop awareness of local stakeholders about renewable energy technologies and its impact on rural development and environment. About 30 participants ranging from local government representatives, NGOs, local banks to poultry owner association, small business owners attended the workshop. Ms. Pascale Geslain, Head of Microfinance & Environment programs PlaNet Finance also attended the program.

Mr. Barua introduced Grameen Shakti through a video presentation in the Introductory Session. He said that Grameen Shakti (GS) was set up in 1996 to promote renewable energy technologies to the rural people and currently it is one of the largest and fastest renewable energy companies in the world. He described various programs of GS and their benefits for the rural people. GS has installed more than 200,000 Solar Home Systems, over 6,000 biogas plants and 20,000 improved cooking stoves. These technologies are improving the lives of the rural people, helping them to generate business, creating better opportunities for women, and especially protecting the environment through replacing kerosene, firewood, promoting organic fertilizers etc.

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Key to GS success is an innovative integrated business model which has blended micro-credit with efficient, cost effective locally available after sales service and linked the technology with income generation. GS has received many national and international awards including Right Livelihood Award 2007 and Ashden Outstanding Achievement Award 2008. Mr. Dipal Barau, the architect and implementer of all Grameen Shakti programs received the first Zayed Future Energy Prize from the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi in 2009.

Next, the participant heard the life stories of Women Solar Technicians/ Entrepreneurs who had change their lives after receiving training from Grameen Shakti on Solar PV technology at rural based Grameen Technology Centers (See the story on Ambia for more details ) . After a short tea break, participants visited an Exhibition on Renewable Energy Technologies to see the benefits of different renewable energy technologies and talk to a number of beneficiaries. .

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Then, an Open Discussion on promoting renewable energy technologies took place. Moderated by Mr. Barua., Upazilla Nirbahi Officer, Upazill Livestock Officer, Grameen Shakti and Grameen Bank staffs and some local consumers were the main participant on this session. Finally, there was the Award Giving Ceremony for Ambia one of the Solar Technician / Entrepreneurs trained by Gameen Shakti. She was the proud recipient of one of the first International Micro-entrepreneur awards from PlaNet Finance. (See the story of Ambia for more details)

Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries facing the threats of climate change. More than 80% of rural people in Bangladesh depend on primitive energy sources harmful to their health and environment with low income generating opportunities. The workshop was a platform to introduce alternative energy sources e.g. renewable energy technologies to the rural stakeholders. . Considering all these facts it was an effective and successful workshop.

II. The Story of Ambia: A Successful Green Entrepreneur

“Grameen Shakti has given me the opportunity to earn an income by working from my home; I can now work and live with dignity and can offer my children a better future. I used to earn only Tk 1000 per month, now; I can earn more than Tk 6000 a month”

This was the feelings expressed by Ambia, after receiving one of the first International Microfinance Awards under Environment category by PlaNet Finance. As an award winner,

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Ambia received Euro 500 from Ms. Pascale Geslain, Head of Microfinance and Environment, PlaNet Finance, together with Mr. Dipal C. Barua, Founding Managing Director of Grameen Shakti (GS) during a ceremony organized in Phulpoor, Mymensing, Bangladesh in January 2009.

Ambia is a Solar Technician and Entrepreneur trained by GS through its rural based Grameen Technology Centers. More than 1000 women have been trained under this program and these women are working as solar technicians to assemble, install and market solar accessories.

Overwhelmed by the recognition from PlaNet Finance, Ambia expressed her deepest gratitude to GS for giving her the opportunity to become a Renewable Energy Technology entrepreneur. She considers this award as very special gift and motivation for her work.

The quality of life of her whole family has improved. Her son is one of the best students in an English medium school. Her husband, who once abandoned her, has returned, and they have been blessed with a second child. Ambia powers her home with electricity from a Solar Home System providing her and her family with enough electricity to assemble solar accessories, to study and to live in a pollution free environment.

Ambia is the daughter of a School Master from the Rupshi Village in Phulpoor, Mymensingh. When she was first abandoned by her husband she was forced to earn income by teaching children. She had no land or house, but lived in a room of her sister house, built on her dead father’s land .

It was then she heard of Grameen Technology Center in Fulphoor. She joined the fifteen day training program and learned how to assemble solar accessories as well as install, repair and maintain Solar Home Systems.

She came first in her batch of solar technicians. As recognition of her skills, GS installed 130 watt solar panel at her home. GS also gave her tools, a bag for her tools plus a cabinet to store her equipment. That is how; she became one of the first women solar entrepreneurs to set up her own home based business to assemble solar accessories. Her business is called “Ambia Technology Center”.

Ambia sits in her tiny room which is her working place and home, assembling solar accessories. The award certificate hangs proudly from her wall.

Ambia has come a long way. Now she can dream big, set higher goals as GS continues to expand its renewable energy programs in the rural areas. Grameen Shakti has set an ambitious target of reaching 50% of Bangladeshis with renewable energy technologies by 2015. This means more business and income for Ambia.

Demand for solar and other renewable is increasing day by day. GS is presently installing around 8000 solar per month; this will double and quadruple within few years. Many rural people contact her to know more about renewable energy technologies, she refers them to GS. That is why GS is considering giving her the responsibility for marketing, installing, and maintaining Solar Home Systems in her area. She is also promoting biogas plants and improved cooking stoves.

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Ambia has a big impact on her community; she is helping to expand renewable energy technologies in her community. By assembling and repairing solar accessories, she is helping to provide efficient and cost effective services to rural users of solar PV technology.

She has set an example for other rural women on how to become independent and live with dignity. Few years ago, Ambia was an unknown marginalized woman like many of Bangladesh’s rural sisters, now she has become the pride of “ Phulpoorbashis “ and a force of positive change in her community .