ChildFund International and Schneider Electric have partnered to develop renewable energy projects that improve children’s well-being and strengthen community resilience across Africa and Asia.
Under a four-year partnership, the two organizations will co-design and implement clean energy solutions for schools, health centers, smallholder farmers, and micro-enterprises in underserved communities.
The partnership builds on Schneider Electric’s Access to Energy program, launched in 2009, which has worked with communities and organizations in more than 50 countries to deliver affordable, sustainable energy systems.
The partnership was signed by Karen Hanrahan, ChildFund’s Chief Impact and Innovation Officer, and Jamal Safiulla, Schneider Electric’s Vice President for Access to Energy. It will prioritize projects spanning community development and resilience, sustainable agriculture and livelihood development. It also targets education, skills development, as well as entrepreneurship, health services including prevention and care, and emergency and humanitarian response.
Priority countries include Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Zambia, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Guinea, and The Gambia in Africa, as well as Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and India in Asia.
“We rarely talk about energy as a children’s issue, but it should be one of the first things we discuss,” says Karen Hanrahan, Chief Impact and Innovation Officer, ChildFund International. “A clinic without reliable power cannot safely refrigerate vaccines.”
Karen through the program schools with electricity can run evening classes or provide access to digital learning tools. It will also help farmers operate irrigation pumps or processing equipment that improve productivity and incomes.
“Access to reliable electricity is a catalyst for better education, healthcare, livelihoods, and improved socio-economic conditions. Through our partnership with ChildFund, we are combining clean energy solutions with deep community engagement to create lasting impact for children and families.” said Jamal Safiulla, Global Vice President, Access to Energy, Schneider Electric.
Through this partnership, Schneider Electric’s Access to Energy team will provide technical guidance and advisory support and renewable energy products for co-designed projects. The company will also support training and capacity-building in electrical skills and system operation and maintenance.
ChildFund, in turn, will lead community needs assessments and youth and community consultations to inform project design, and facilitate relationships with local communities and government institutions.