2019
In 2019 GLOW partnered with SELCO Foundation to implement our third round of sustainable solar projects in Karnataka, India. We will work exclusively with SELCO Foundation's Livelihood sector, which focuses on understanding the link between energy access or sustainable energy and livelihood improvement, then builds holistic models that increase and secure income levels of under-served families.
GLOW invested in solarizing sewing machines, fans for blacksmiths, roti rollers, and photocopy machines for all entrepreneurs who are interested in generating increased incomes by using their same skill set- only using green technology to make it happen, instead. This program not only promotes preservation of culture and existing jobs by working with current livelihoods, rather than trying to create entirely new ones- but it also promotes sustainability by calling upon solar energy to power every day needs. The great thing about the livelihood program is that by solarizing these varying technologies, people are actually able to earn much more than before as the energy source is reliable during black outs (sometimes up to four times a week), and cost effective. Every recipient pays back the cost of the technology in full, allowing those initial funds to be recycled endlessly to impact as many lives as possible. Plus, by partnering with local micro-finance groups and banks for this project- once people have paid back their loans in full, they've established credit for themselves, AND now have an asset to claim, as well. This enables recipients to be eligible for future loans to continually grow their businesses in the future. |