Green energy can be a component of microlending

[Guest]

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[Virginia]

Like many kiva lenders, I am concerned about the environment. Recently, I saw an incredible program on PBS, E2 (The Economies of Being Environmentally Conscious), Energy for a Developing World which was about the work of the Grameen Shakti organization. Founded in 1996 by Muhammad Yunus and others, Grameen Shakti recognized that to address poverty you have to address access to energy and they are working on bringing renewable energy (solar power, biogas, etc.) to the rural poor to use in their homes and small businesses. We aren't talking about microloans for huge systems here - a typical solar energy system is 20 watts, enough for one CFL and 3 LED light bulbs to help children study, increase productivity in a business, etc. A biogas plant might supply 4 homes and a tea stand business. It is an example of how renewable energy can be a component of microlending.

I highly recommend checking out this program and the Grameen Shakti organization. Watch the webcast for "Energy for a Developing World" at http://www.design-e2.com/

You can also learn about the Grameen Shakti organization at www.gshakti.org

I am really excited that the microfinance institution BRAC has partnered with Kiva. This really shows what a great job Kiva is doing and how important Kiva is in the microfinance world. Perhaps in the future Kiva will have a role in suggesting to microfinance institutions that renewable energy can be an important component of microlending and Kiva lenders will be able to use "green" as a selection criteria for their loans.  

[i Live 4 Kiva]

I know your post is specifically geared toward renewable energy, but there are also some alternative energy sources that are being implemented by the Circle of Light organization in Kenya.  They have a co-op program that encourages the use of propane stoves instead of wood fires and they have energy centers where people charge batteries that are used for lighting in their homes.  This was started by John Coors of the Coors family in Colorado.  I just sent them a message to see if any of the energy centers that recharge the batteries, are powered by wind or solar.  In any event, their efforts provide a significant improvement over the old ways of doing things.  Gathering wood (deforestation/smoke in the homes) for cooking and kerosene lamps for reading.   

http://www.light4africa.org/
Circle of light


http://www.light4africa.org/impacts/economy/economy.html
Follow this link for an article about how the energy centers are encouraging entrepreneurial efforts and the local economy

http://www.light4africa.org/our-work/countries/kenya.html
List of cities/villages in Kenya where CoL has built energy centers

We should communicate to the MFI's in Kenya that we want to work with entrepreneurs in these villages and we are interested in creating "Green Collar Jobs".  Maybe we can finance the first wind or solar powered energy center and get John Coors to invest a few ducats into Kiva.

Update:  Follow the About Us tab on their website to Our Partners and you'll find they have posted this in reference to Microfinance:

MICRO-FINANCE
It's not just the lack of ability or skill that holds rural communities in poverty. Very often, opportunity is all that people need to uplift themselves. Through a partner organization, it is our vision that entrepreneurs will start new businesses with small, start-up loans.

Kenya Partner:
Status: LOOKING FOR PARTNER(S)

Mozambique Partner:
Status: LOOKING FOR PARTNER(S)