In general, this programme supports communities to improve conservation and the sustainable use of forest resources in order to obtain better forest services and goods in a sustainable and environmentally acceptable manner. HCDYO also promotes participatory and holistic approaches to improve household livelihoods through improved utilization and integration of forestry and agricultural resoucres and capacity building of community stakeholders in order to make community-friendly and community-led decisions in rural natural resource management initiatives for their benefit. Glidiciria wood transportation, rural employments and crop cultivation are the some of village livelihood support programmes in the project area.
It was planned to link with a few other green energy funding, co-financing and green and credit institutes through the World Energy Council Public private Partnership Programme.
Thirappane Dendro Power Project and its replication action plan ( Sri Lanka First Showcase Project) was presented by P.R. Wijewardena to the World Energy Council Public Private Partnership workshop for representatives of energy promoters in Seoul Korea in May 2008. International investors, financial institutes and funding agencies from various countries were present. Honorable Minister Duminda Dissanayaka, the Excellency Honorable Asitha Perera, Sri Lanka?s ambassador to Korea, and Mr. David Kim, Vice-Chair of the Asia Pacific and South Asia participated as chief guests.
The Public Private Partnership coordinator is now involved in executing the Sri Lanka dendro biomass project, raising equity and debt capital from both the private and lending agencies respectively. He attended the last Asia Clean Energy Forum in Manila and met with South Asian energy promoters and colleagues to see how best they can bring this project to the attention of donor and lending agencies including ADB, USAID, IFC and etc.
Gliricidia plantations has been extended throughout the North Central Province in collaboration with DS Offices and CBOs/NGOs and farmer organizations. Purchasing of Gliricidia sticks and leaves from Gliricidia growers are being continued until the power plan is mobilized. The first load of ten tons worth of Gliricidia sticks was sent to Colombo on 2nd June 2008.
Project sustainability
Project is basically designed to operate on its own fund after project funding is over.
The private sector participation was strengthened for the project sustainability.
The project is well sustained by its market products and fuel wood plantations.
Forward sale contracts were signed with the private sector biomass heat application industries.
A strong community fuel wood supply chain has been established for future security.
A community company was established in order to partner with a biomass power generation company.
Policy Influence
Series of awareness programmes and presentations on project initiatives were conducted for several ministers and secretaries of the ministries and they agreed to develop this project at the policy level. Provincial authorities were also well aware on the project goal.
Sustainable Energy Authority, Ceylon Electricity Board, Sumurdhi Authority, NCP Provincial Council and Divisional Secretaries, including local bodies, have joined together to strengthen the project outcomes.
Innovative land use policies were adopted.
Multicultural farming strategies have been introduced.
Government authorities aware about using community initiated dendro power generation towards rural economic growth and environmental sustainability.
A district level programme has been developed in collaboration with District Secretary.
Notable Community Participation
The community participatory process approach is considered a key mechanism in this project. HCDYO believes that the community must be involved in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of project. By involving the community members, they will learn more about the project and become more confident about its aims, building their sense of ownership in the project. This project strategy also ensures that the vulnerable groups are fully represented in the decision-making. The project includes the cultivation of 2500 acres of Gliricidia plants in 41 Grama Niladhari divisions in uncultivated land belong to 2500 families.
Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
The grantee organization has hosted a series of awareness programmes and workshops at the District, Divisional and village level. The sustainable use of wood and other biomass fuels provides a strong support for the implementation of internation policies regarding climate change. Renewable resources are also important in reducing air pollution and mitigating adverse climate effects. Several measures such as reducing system losses, using low energy equipment and changing attitudes have been introduced and used at present.
Gender Focus
The project creates opportunities for women to play an important role in the planning and implementation of project activities. Most of the group members are women involved in the fuel wood planting process. HCDYO also plans to provide credit facilities for small enterprises that target rural women.
Inovative Financial Mechanisms
The project is being managed by an innovative sound financial mechanism in order to insure better transparency policies with all the stakeholders. The financial committee is represented by all the project participants including the Divisional Secretary. Most of the key players in the organization is working on a volunteer basis to strengthen the social commitment of the community. All payments are done by the financial committee.
Capacity - Building Component
The project plans to build the capacity of the community by strengthening the leadership and collective action potential of the most vulnerable groups. These groups have the opportunity to discuss their problems collectively and to influence the decisions that will affect their livelihood.
Linkages gef projects
The project scale up scenario for Sri Lanka is being prepared in order to link with large GEF project assistance towards a greener and cleaner Sri Lanka.
Replication of project activities
This project model has been extended to another six Divisional Secretariat areas to establish a range of 1.5 MW to 2.5MW capacity dendro biomass power project.
We are in process of growing Gliricidia in 20,000 acres of arid land belonging to 24,000 families in several Divisional Secretariat divisions including war-affected areas (Peace building through Partnership) in Sri Lanka by establishing up to 16.5 MW dendro projects at a cost of US $25 million.
In this process, we managed to extend the wood fuel plantation at the District and Provincial Level and established a strong wood fuel supply chain in order to cater to the present wood fuel demand in the market. This will create a sustainable increase in income and improved living standards of poor households in the project areas.
It was proposed to produce organic fertilizer and animal fodder by using Gliricidia leaves throughout North Central Province in collaboration with partner organizations.
Electrification of 1,000 households by dendro off-grid mini power generation plants in remote areas.
Introduction of 100,000 dendro wood gas stoves among urban and rural villages.
Planning gef grant
We have already completed feasibility studies for dendro power generation projects in six Divisional Secretariat areas. The projects will be in the range of 1.5 to 3.0 MW capacities, up to 16.5 MW, by planting on 2000 acres belonging to 24,000 low income group families. We are in process of forwarding the PIN for a medium?sized GEF grant in collaboration with the private sector.
Project Results
1. Rural community was empowered.
2. 2000 acres of uncultivated lands and bare lands were effectively utilized.
3. Alternative income sources of 1500 rural poor families were improved.
4. Fuel wood requirement for bio electricity generation achieved.
5. Strong public-private partnership was established.
