CARE’S PARTNERSHIP ON WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN RENEWABLES (wPOWER) “Promoting Women's Critical Role in Clean Energy Solutions to Climate Change”

BRIEF ON CARE INTERNATIONAL Founded in 1945, is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. Deliver lasting solutions to ending poverty with a particular focus on empowering girls and women – if equipped with the proper resources, they have the power to lift whole families and entire communities out of poverty. Last year, CARE worked in 84 countries and reached 122 million people around the world. Vision Vision: We seek a world of hope, tolerance and social justice, where poverty has been overcome and people live in dignity and security. Mission: Mission: To serve individuals and families in the poorest communities in the world

CARE’S PARTNERSHIP ON WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN RENEWABLES (wPOWER) CARE is one of the implementing partners; 3-year project (2012 – 2015); Covers Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya. Household energy service delivery continues to be one of the most significant development challenges in Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya. CARE’s Targets 186,190 lamps and 28,688 stoves; 3,222 woman entrepreneurs CARE’s Targets 186,190 lamps and 28,688 stoves; 3,222 woman entrepreneurs

CARE’S PARTNERSHIP ON WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN RENEWABLES (wPOWER).....household energy service delivery continues to be one of the most significant development challenges in Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya

CARE’S PARTNERSHIP ON WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN RENEWABLES (wPOWER) Women are primary users of small scale clean technologies; Women & women's groups represent largely untapped distribution networks that can help fill the “last mile” gap in the supply chain; This presents a strong position for women as sellers and distributors of small-scale clean technologies.

CARE’S PARTNERSHIP ON WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN RENEWABLES (wPOWER) Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) - Community- managed groups of about 15 to 30 members, predominantly women, who meet regularly to save and borrow from their pooled savings. CARE works with existing VSLAs to establish a sustainable clean energy business. Over 1,000,000 members of VSLAs across Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania, Untapped market for clean energy products, Can help to fill the last-mile gap in the clean-energy supply and distribution chains

CARE’S PARTNERSHIP ON WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN RENEWABLES (wPOWER) wPOWER/CARE Suppliers Franchisees Hub managers Local Distributors Village Agents Sales Agents Members of VSLAs Non members End -consumers OurBusinessModel Our Business Model

CARE’S PARTNERSHIP ON WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN RENEWABLES (wPOWER) Key Achievements Village agents realized a total revenue of more than US$ 405,000 and US$ 70,000 in profits (additional income).  104,000 people have access to modern energy services,  80% women

CARE’S PARTNERSHIP ON WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN RENEWABLES (wPOWER) huge market” “last mile ….CARE has demonstrated explicitly that VSLAs are a “huge market” for clean energy products that can help fill the “last mile” gap in the distribution chain…..

CARE’S PARTNERSHIP ON WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN RENEWABLES (wPOWER) last mile distributors ……..and women entrepreneurs in the VSLAs are the potential “last mile distributors” of clean energy products.

CARE’S PARTNERSHIP ON WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN RENEWABLES (wPOWER) Inconsistent supply of clean energy products by private company suppliers; VAs have limited sales and entrepreneurship skills; Some of the products are too expensive compared to income levels of the target beneficiaries; Price competitions - low prices for similar products; Some of the private company suppliers are not reliable. Challenges