Project Detail

Sustainable Renewable Energy Demonstration Village

The project islocated in Risitu valley of Chimanimani district .This project involves the introduction of energy innovations that reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases through the promotion and dissemination of improved stoves and imporved access to alternative electrical energy resources by having a central solar battery charging station. There is a component of improving energy efficiency and use for the jam canning project which is a window for raising funds for the group to improve their livelihoods. This will entail carrying out energy audits then come up with strategies of energy savings.

project objectives
-to mitigate GHG emissions by the introduction of at leas 100 efficient biomass buning stoves that emit less smoke , this will also lessen the burden of fetching fuelwood on women and children
-to harness sawmill waste from sawmills in Chimaninmani through the develoment and dissemination of alternative sawdust briquette stoves
-to improve access to a clean and

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre

Country:

Zimbabwe

Area Of Work:

Climate Change Mitigation

Operational Phase:

Phase 2

Grant Amount:

US$ 50,000.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 24,192.22

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 54,542.82

Project Number:

ZIM/01/06

Start Date:

8/2001

End Date:

10/2003

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Gender Focus

80% of project members is drawn from the Jam Cooperative which is a women project, though the project seeks to drawn new members (both men and women from other parts of the district. Both men and women have been involved in the problem identification and planning of activities but there has been emphasis on ensuring that women play an active role in the decision making process.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

An awareness raising plan has been drawn up t disseminate information on efficient use of energy and firewood consumption and how these help in protecting both the local and global environment.

Policy Impact

No policy impact

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

Project participants have been drawn from valley known as Kopa in Rusitu Ward (Chimanimani district). This is a marginalised area with limited access to better technologies. This project will be an eye-opener to the indigenous people and one of its kind in the area.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

The area of sustainable livelihoods has been taken into consideration since the group is involved in jam canning for household consumption and for sale. The project promotes the growing of more fruit trees and also introduce a diverse range of fruit products to ensure that the group receives better returns. The introduction of fuel saving stoves will result in less firewood used and as a result women will spend less time in collecting firewood and have time for other chores.

Notable Community Participation

The community together with local leadership structures were involved in the project preparatory process and will continue to play a pivotal role int he management of the project during and after completion. The community will also be central in the selection of the stove technology since different stovesl will be introduced, the grantees will try them then recommend the type(s) to be disseminated in the area.

Capacity - Building Component

The community will be trained on areas relating to the project and financial management through the use of participatory methodologies. This will enable them to manage their project and account for their funds well. After identification of the best option for the stove, some stove promoters identified by the community will be trained on construction, quality control and marketing of the stoves. They will be also trained on better kitchen management and firewood management techniques and these promoters who have been trained will then disseminate the information to other group members. There will also be training on energy efficiency, fruit processing using solar driers to improve quality of products and marketing. All this trainings will enhance the capacity of the community to manage their project and operations.

Linkages gef projects

The production and use of eco blocks has an impact on 3 GEF thematic areas namely climate change, land degradation and biodiversity.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

The project now in the process of sourcing funds from CIDA to complete the project

Project sustainability

There was employment creation for the youths through the fruit and vegetable drying project , biomass stoves which were being constructed by trained stove builders. A nominal fee charged for solar battery charging services at the local clinic was meant to assist in the maintenance of the solar charging system

Project Results

The project was completed. The overall objective of the project was to introduce a demonstration village for sustainable renewable energy comprising energy innovations that reduce the emission of green house gases namely;
1. to introduce solar drying of fruits and vegetables in order to reduce poverty
2. to promote alternative environmentally friendly energy sources through the introduction of a solar central charging station.
3. to promote efficient use of energy resources in households and in fruit processing

Key activities done towards the achievement of project objectives were
1. solar fruit and vegetable drying
a) SIRDC delivered two solar dryers, one for Ngorima A and Ngorima B
b) youths were trained in two wards on how to use the dryers
c) the groups managed to dry and sell fruits and vegetables to some hotel and supermarkets in chipinge, Chimanimani and Mutare.

2 mud stoves
a) 8 households benefited from the project
b) 4 women were trained in mud stoves

3. solar central charging station at Muchadziya
a) The solar charging station was installed at the clinic.

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