News

Clean energy for women of the Pamirs

12.07.2016

Last month Little Earth began implementing a new pilot project that aims to contribute to the sustainable use of natural resources and improve the quality of life of two villages, Savnob and Roshorv, in the Bartnag Valley of the Pamir region in Tajikistan. The project, "Clean energy and women on the roof of the world", works to support women from vulnerable families and is supported by the United States Forest Service. Its main activities include raising awareness, capacity building trainings and the distribution of sustainable energy devices.

An exhibition on energy efficiency and alternative energy sources marked the start of the project on 13 June 2016 in Savnob. The event was organized in coordination with the local authorities and with technical assistance from the organization "Oyandasoz", a local partner of Little Foot located in the Bartnag Valley. The exhibition welcomed everyone who wanted to learn more about resource-saving technologies, renewable energy and environmental protection. Over 70 residents from Savnob and guests from neighbouring villages attended the exhibition where several types of sustainable energy technologies, including solar energy equipment and energy-efficient stoves, were presented.

Local residents who had previously received solar devices from past Little Earth projects were invited to share their experiences with participants at the exhibition. Among them, Shahlo Tohirbekova demonstrated the benefits of having a solar cooker by baking “sunny cake” for a curious group of onlookers. In addition, a set of publications on energy efficiency and green technologies were distributed to visitors.

Following the exhibition, Little Earth held a two-day training on 14-15 June in Roshorv, in which the issue of women's participation in resource management was the focus. The training brought 20 local women together from Savnob and Roshorv to explore women’s roles in finding solutions to addressing local energy and environmental challenges as well as participating in the related decision-making processes.

The training sparked discussions among participants on the topics of women’s involvement in local development. Participants expanded and shared their ideas on how to improve the communities’ welfares while protecting local environments.

Rational use of scarce natural resources, relationships between resource-saving technologies and the wellbeing of local communities, alternative ways for development were among topics discussed by participants during the training. They learned about benefits of various resource-efficient technologies and devices.

For most participants, the training was their first experience of this kind. But soon all these women could continue to build their capacity by participating in upcoming workshops on renewable energy. Participants of the training will receive a set of energy-efficient devices, including a solar cooker, an energy-efficient stove and a solar lantern. These devices will help to save money, reduce CO2 emissions and ease the daily lives of their families.

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Photo and news by Timur Idrisov, Little Earth