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About E-MINDSET

E-MINDSET
Project E-MINDSET image

[top] [end]Abstract

The project seeks to address the structural problems in linking energy planning and poverty reduction. The Southern Africa region is endowed with diverse energy resources both renewable and conventional but access to modern energy services still remains a pipe dream for poor rural communities. Energy planning is currently centrally managed with a heavy skew towards large-scale commercially oriented projects. Lack of local knowledge and skills in the area of energy planning has severely constrained the development of local energy initiatives with a poverty reduction focus. This project has been framed to address the disconnection between central, national energy policy, planning and implementation and local level development planning. The approach builds on strengthening the cross sectoral linkages between energy and the more common and locally represented services such as health, agriculture and environment. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are now generally used as the guiding framework for national development planning. The project will develop tools that can be used at the local planning level to link energy planning and poverty reduction.

[top] [end]Objectives

The project seeks to develop, test and adapt planning toolkits for linking energy planning and MDGs at the local planning unit in Southern Africa. Its specific objectives are to: a) develop toolkits and strengthen partners’ capacity in knowledge transfer and linking planning and development b) improve communities’ capacity to link energy planning and development c) influence energy policy and regulatory framework to reflect and prioritise energy requirements for attaining MDG targets d) disseminate tools for linking energy and the MDGs.

[top] [end]Description of the work

The project will work with district planning systems to address the energy planning gap at a sufficiently low level to respond to the needs of the poor. The district level is the first integrating unit in development planning and therefore offers an opportunity to link energy and other sectors more directly. This will be achieved by developing planning toolkits to link energy and development plans for achieving national MDG targets. A toolkit is a teaching, planning or decision making aide in a training package. These toolkits will be tested and applied against prioritised MDGs particularly to encourage integration of energy budgets into other sector budgets, for example health and education. The project will also develop greater awareness on current negative policy loopholes especially on disproportionate allocation of state subsidies to grid extension and petroleum products against alternative technology options for rural communities.

[top] [end]Expected results after 2010:

  • Existing policies, strategies and impacts on the poor researched and results incorporated into the development of energy planning and MDG tools.
  • 4 centres of excellence (Mulanje Mountain Conservancy Trust - MMCT, Energy and Environment Concerns for Zambia - EECZ, Southern Centre for Energy and Environment - SCEE and Practical Action) in community energy planning and development established.
  • At least 8 trainers with the capacity to deliver energy training available at national level, in region.
  • Energy extension services established across at least 10 line ministries and 5 NGOs in the 8 pilot districts.
  • At least 100 extension workers trained as trainers in village level energy planning.
  • Community needs and aspirations in energy and sustainable development integrated in annual plans of all participating districts.
  • District budget planning committees include active participation of at least one member from three participating wards in a district
  • At least 240 community representatives trained on the interrelationships between energy and poverty in development planning.
  • Energy extension services established at village level.
  • At least two of the beneficiary countries take measures to address gender and energy in development planning.
  • Consortium participation at EU organised events and other energy related events.
  • Toolkits packaged on CD-Rom and disseminated to all districts
  • Project website developed




The sole responsibility for the content of this webpage lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Communities. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
The sole responsibility for the content of this webpage lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Communities. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.
Categories: E-MINDSET


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Page created: 04 August 2007; Last edited: 06 November 2008; Version: 3
Knowledge Bank text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.

Pagename: E-MINDSET:About @HEDON: CHGA