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To see how sustainable energy is changing lives in Malawi, follow Clara's story and her role in the Tsapa women's group.
Breaking the Barriers - Clara's story
To see how sustainable energy is changing lives in Malawi, follow Clara's story and her role in the Tsapa women's group.
Gaia Energy
Gaia Energy teamed up with Christian Aid to develop the ARK Tariff (Additional Renewable Kilowatt tariff) in 2007. Until late 2017 the target project has been the Mali Folk Centre, but from January 2018 the focus was turned towards renewable energy programmes in Burkina Faso, Honduras, Malawi and Ethiopia.
With the support of Gaia Energy's ARK Tariff we are supporting women to create and own Women’s Led Sustainable Energy Enterprises in some of the poorest and remote off-grid communities.
These groups receive training in sustainable energy products and technologies, business skills and can access finance through savings and loans groups.
The project was launched on 8 March 2018, to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Find out more about the ARK TariffOur approach
Women have been supported to create and own Women’s Led Sustainable Energy Enterprises. They receive training in sustainable energy products and technologies, and business skills.
The women have access to loans to build their micro-enterprises and they experience the added value of selling or purchasing sustainable energy products, for example biogas and solar-powered refrigerators.
As a result, women are able to:
- Increase their income by selling preserved foods at a better price when there is low market supply.
- Solar-powered irrigation systems enable women to cultivate larger areas, increasing production and reducing time spend on gathering water.
- Solar lighting reduce kerosene emissions and provide cheaper access to lighting for household activities.
- Through access to sustainable energy products, communities are able to reduce expenditure on unsustainable energy sources, including wood, kerosene and batteries.
- The women are also trained to lobby on regional and national platforms and networks, so they can push local and national authorities to support sustainable energy enterprises, for example through the reduction of taxes on the importation of sustainable energy products.
