Solar Solutions for Refugees and Host Communities

Solar Solutions and Financing Options for Refugees and Host Communities in Uganda

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Last edit made by Helen Mengs on 2024-05-07. This is a wiki, do not hesitate to update information by clicking on "Edit with form".

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Key Data

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Organisation

ZOA International Uganda; ZOA International GmbH

Duration

May 2022 - August 2023

Project Description

The project combines supply- and demand-oriented measures. To stimulate demand, access to potential customers of solar-powered products in the refugee shelters is organised through the 330 established saving groups. Those take on the role of a trustee for the individual savers and potential customers. Meanwhile, ZOA informs the potential customers about the advantages of owning their own solar systems and payment options such as “pay as you go” or other credit-based financing available on the market. Further, farmers can benefit by receiving partial funding within the framework of grants. A second focus of the project is the development of a market for solar PV systems. To do this, the project employs shopkeepers and retailers to act as intermediaries between solar PV companies and the saving groups. Through trainings, they gain an understanding of the technology involved and thus are able to stimulate community interest in solar-powered products and solar PV systems. Finally, the project trains young adults with prior technical experience, so that they can provide repair services for the advertised solar systems.

Besides the involvement of the saving groups and the project focus on refugees and their hosting communities, the most innovative element are individual village agents. They act as an intermediary group between the solar companies and the target group, through the direct cooperation with the saving groups instead of with individuals. This aims at reducing the failure rate of the “pay as you go” systems. In addition, village agents receive specialised training related to solar products including minor operation, maintenance and brand awareness. These measures ensure the sustainability of the project as the village agents are valuable to solar companies in creating a market among saving group members and bridging the supply gap.

GBE Component

Small Projects Fund

Categories

• Financing
• Community-based Approaches
• Skills Development

Factsheet

Location

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Country SPF

Uganda

Geographic coordinates of project site

3° 6' 4.21" N, 31° 19' 36.16" E

Latitude            Longitude

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• Solar Solutions and Financing Options for Refugees and Host Communities in Uganda

• Financing

• Community-based Approaches
• Skills Development