Project: Renewable Energy, Empowered Women
Grantee: (SELF) Solar Electric Light Fund, Washington DC
Grant Year: 2002
Award duration/amount: 2 years, $40,000 total

The Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) champions solar photovoltaic power as a tool for economic development in emerging countries by bringing electricity to rural communities where connection to a utility grid is nowhere on the horizon.  SELF understands--from experience and research--that the burden of lack of electricity in the developing world falls disproportionately on women; meals must be cooked, water procured, and homes heated and lit.  The effort of securing fuelwood can take a woman up to 5 hours every day.  This is time lost to other activities, including potential generation of additional family income.  The problem is passed on to daughters, where, in most developing nations, girls spend 3.5 times as many hours as boys on wood and water collection.

The two-year $40,000 grant from 3GF is helping SELF launch women’s projects in Northern India and Tanzania, and is supporting the organization to further integrate a gender lens into its work.

For more information on this project visit www.self.org or contact Bob Freling, Executive Director at: