Background

Almost three-quarters of Mozambique’s 19 million inhabitants live on less than 2 USD per day. In these circumstances, some 95% of all households in the country have no choice but to rely on firewood and charcoal as their main energy source.

Purpose

To use the establishment of community-driven centres to give poor and low income communities in the central part of Mozambique improved access to renewable and energy efficient services, and to reduce the use of traditional biomass by 15% by 2015.

Main Activities

• Establish three local energy and devel-opment centres, each consisting of:

                  - an Awareness and Information Center
                  - an Energy Shop
                  - a local Community Energy Fund

• Each of the three Energy Shops provides or introduces at least 5 new energy products to the community
• The three Energy Funds should provide access to funding that benefits 50 micro and small enterprises covering 100 different projects.
• Establish three Local Energy and Development Committees which are involved in disseminating good practices, in coordination with the three energy centres
• Produce three local energy and development plans, including baseline studies on energy resources and needs
• Inform and train micro and small scale enterprises, families and local authorities

Expected Impact

• Sustainable energy technologies are made available and accessible to families and institutions in the target area
• Micro and small scale energy enterprises have access to funding
• Local communities have a platform to discuss and raise local energy and development issues
• People are empowered in their negotiations with their local, provincial or national governments