Archive for category: Development

Information and stories on development news.

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TechnoServe and GENA: Improving Ethiopia’s Agricultural Exports

How GENA and TechnoServe Improves Ethiopia’s Agricultural Exports Ethiopia, one of Africa’s fastest-growing non-oil economies, provides significant opportunities for inclusive growth. Agriculture employs 85% of the workforce and contributes more than 45% to the country’s GDP, making it a critical sector. However, many smallholder farmers struggle to access markets due to limited infrastructure. In response, organizations such as TechnoServe and GENA are working to help Ethiopian smallholder farmers integrate into more formal and sustainable agricultural markets.

TechServe’s Role in Supporting Smallholder Farmers

For over a decade, TechnoServe has collaborated with farmers and the Ethiopian government to develop competitive agricultural market systems. This work focuses on enhancing farmers’ productivity by providing training in improved agricultural practices and creating sustainable sourcing opportunities with GENA, an Ethiopian investment group. Together, they aim to advance Ethiopia’s economy. 

The SERES Project

A significant example of this collaboration between TechnoServe and GENA is the Scaling Ethiopia’s Regenerative Export Sector (SERES) project, launched in 2021 by TechnoServe in partnership with the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD). This project seeks to connect smallholder farmers with international markets and promote the production of sustainably grown crops such as fruits and herbs. SERES has enabled Ethiopian farmers to meet international quality standards. 

GENA’s Partnership

GENA is an Ethiopian agribusiness focused on exporting agricultural products. As part of the SERES project, the organization received funding to establish a rosemary collection center and drying facility in central Ethiopia. This facility provides a direct link between small-scale farmers and the organization. This ensures consistent supply chains meet international standards. Farmers who supply rosemary to GENA benefit from guaranteed prices and timely payments. 

Kadri Mohamed’s Story

A true success story to come out of this partnership is smallholder farmer Kadri Mohamed. TechnoServe reported that Kadri previously sold his rosemary crop to local traders. He faced long delays in receiving payments and would often receive prices lower than expected. Without guidance on sustainable farming, much of his crop would go to waste. The SERES project, in partnership with GENA, changed that. Kadri now sells his rosemary to GENA, receiving payments up to eight times higher than before and within just a few days. This allowed him to significantly increase his income from $190 to $350 annually, in turn improving his family’s life. With extra income, Kadri has been able to invest in his children’s education and secure his home with a lockable door, providing a safer environment for his family. 

The Broader Impact

The success of the SERES project illustrates the broader potential for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia and across Africa by integrating smallholder farmers into formal market systems and providing them with the necessary training and infrastructure. Through partnerships with companies like GENA, smallholder farmers can potentially access stable and profitable markets while ensuring sustainable agricultural practices that benefit the environment.

– Ellisha Hicken

Ellisha is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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TECHO: Harnessing Drone Technology to Combat Global Poverty

TECHOAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 2 billion people live beyond the reach of essential medicines and quality health care. However, drone technology is helping resolve this “last mile” problem. In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), more than 200 million people face poverty, struggling without access to basic needs such as clean water, housing and electricity. The World Bank estimates that as of 2023, one in four people in these regions lives on less than $6.85 per day, a clear reflection of widespread poverty. While there was a slight 1% decrease in poverty rates between 2022 and 2023, projections indicate that without further intervention, progress may stagnate.

TECHO: Housing and Social Programs

Founded in 1997, TECHO is a nonprofit organization that mobilizes youth volunteers to combat extreme poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean. The organization’s mission includes providing housing, clean water and access to social inclusion programs. In the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, TECHO was among the first groups to initiate reconstruction. Indeed, the organization was able to rebuild 10,000 homes. Currently, with the help of more than 500,000 volunteers, the organization has constructed homes for more than 86,000 families across 19 countries.

Advancements Through Drone Technology

In 2019, TECHO and DroneDeploy collaborated to enhance TECHO’s home rebuilding efforts in Brazil through drone technology. This partnership helped 634 communities by employing drone mapping—a technique involving aerial photography that produces comprehensive 3D visual maps. These maps improve visibility in urban settings, helping identify critical areas needing attention and the optimal approaches for intervention. The use of drones enabled TECHO to accurately assess the number of families living in poverty and in substandard conditions, pinpointing risk areas to prioritize for high-quality housing reconstruction.

Enhancing Urban Planning and Infrastructure in São Paulo

In São Paulo, TECHO aimed to introduce various social inclusion programs targeting poverty eradication and community integration. It expanded its partnership with DroneDeploy to use drones for assessing housing needs, a task complicated by often outdated data. Drones provided a precise count of families requiring improved living conditions and basic services like clean water, sewage and electricity. For instance, initial estimates suggested that a community housed 250 families; however, drone surveys revealed the actual number to be at least 520. This accurate data is crucial for TECHO to allocate sufficient resources to these communities effectively.

Looking Ahead

TECHO’s initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean aim to address the widespread poverty affecting millions in the region. Indeed, by leveraging drone technology, the organization has been able to precisely assess housing needs. Furthermore, drones have been able to identify the most vulnerable areas for targeted intervention. In São Paulo, drones revealed a significant undercount in the number of families living in poor conditions, allowing TECHO to more efficiently allocate resources. These ongoing efforts underscore the importance of innovative approaches to tackling poverty and improving living conditions across the region.

– Charlotte Johnston

Charlotte is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Sungai Design: Ending River Pollution in Indonesia

Sungai Design: An Approach to Ending River Pollution in Indonesia Aquatic waste accumulation severely affects many developing countries, with river pollution in Indonesia serving as a prime example. The Citarum River, the world’s most polluted, significantly lowers the quality of life for the 9 million people in the heart of Indonesia. A collection of human and industrial waste has driven the river’s bacterial levels to be 5,000 times higher than safe limits and lead concentrations are 1,000 times over the permissible level for consumption, according to the Asian Development Bank. The only uncontaminated water in the Citarum is found 150 meters underground, accessible only to local industries equipped to extract and purify it. Sungai Design, a nonprofit founded specifically to clean Indonesia’s rivers, has been so successful that it is considering expansion to other countries struggling with water pollution.

Addressing the Crisis

Unfortunately, due to the Citarum River’s role as a major water source, many people have to rely on contaminated water, even if indirectly. The river pollutes most waterways, affecting rice fields and farmers’ crops, which animals and people then consume. Consequently, diseases such as cholera and dermatitis have spread widely throughout Indonesia. As these health crises escalate, affecting the population and economy, various organizations have responded by implementing measures to reduce river pollution.

Sungai Design

Based in Bali, Indonesia, Sungai Design evolved from Sungai Watch, a nonprofit dedicated to cleaning Indonesia’s rivers. Sungai Watch developed a system of river dams that intercept trash, which is then cleaned up daily to prevent waste accumulation. Employees sort the collected waste into more than 30 material categories based on type and substance. As waste volumes increased, the organization faced challenges in disposing of it safely without risking its return to waterways, especially the Citarum River. Co-founder of Sungai Watch and Iris Prize winner from The Iris Project, Sam Benchighib, proposed a solution to repurpose the trash rather than simply dispose of it, leading to the creation of Sungai Design.

Sungai Design builds on Sungai Watch’s efforts to clean Indonesia’s rivers by transforming collected trash into eco-friendly furniture. After collecting and sorting the waste, Sungai Design employees create chairs from river plastics. These chairs, available in various colors, are placed throughout Indonesia and sold on the organization’s website. The initiative’s success has expanded to include benches and stools, each chair crafted from the equivalent of 2,000 plastic bags and supplemented with other recycled river debris. This commitment to sustainable products has inspired other nonprofits to go beyond mere disposal and consider repurposing pollution-causing materials.

Sungai Design’s Impact

In Indonesia, 300 floating river dams strategically installed across the country have collected an estimated 2.3 million kilograms of plastic, which Sungai Design repurposes into chairs. This significant effort showcases Sungai Design’s leadership in addressing river pollution. The organization serves as a model for nonprofits confronting environmental crises, demonstrating the value of not only removing trash but also repurposing it to benefit the environment.

Looking Ahead

Removing plastics from the rivers reduces contaminants such as lead and bacteria, which pose serious threats to local communities, their agriculture and livestock. By continuing to build on Sungai Design’s proactive approach, Indonesia can potentially enhance the quality of life for those most affected and promote overall national well-being.

– Nadia Haeryfar

Nadia is based in Ashford, CT, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The NDP and Poverty Reduction in the Congo

The NDP in the CongoThe Republic of the Congo (ROC) begins to see light at the end of a dark tunnel filled with poverty and famine. Situated in the central-western portion of sub-Saharan Africa alongside the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), ROC heavily relies on its exports of petroleum, timber and raw materials to sustain its economy.

Although it remains under tight strain due to ongoing riots and armed conflict in the DRC, the ROC is determined to continue its “march toward development” and enable the country to “join the circle of emerging developed countries,” according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Hence, shortly after the 2021 elections in the Congo, President Denis Sassou Nguesso introduced the National Development Plan (NDP) for 2022-2026.

The NDP in the Congo: An Overview

The NDP aims to alleviate poverty alongside other necessary economic measures to reduce the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic. It is dedicated to improving the standard quality of life in the Congo. According to official records by the ROC in its NDP, economic activity contracted to a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of around -6.2% due to the impacts of the pandemic and the later collapse of world oil prices, from which the country heavily depends economically. The poverty rate has also been estimated to have increased dramatically to 52.5% as of 2020.

The plan, developed by Nguesso and approved by the Congolese government, prioritizes diversifying exports and income sources. This focus aims to mitigate the impact of global economic shocks that have slowed the Congo’s GDP growth in recent years. However, with the NDP and its funding of around $14.7 billion, the plan aims to develop agriculture broadly to fight against the growing issue of poverty in the nation.

Through legislation such as the National Social Action Policy (NSAP) and the NDP, the Congolese government aims to create many decent jobs and provide a “noncontributory social protection base” for those in need. This approach is intended to enhance the economic prospects of impoverished rural and urban populations, reduce poverty and improve the overall quality of life in the Congo.

The ROC Today

Due to these initiatives being undertaken by the Congo Government, the World Bank notes that the GDP of the Republic is expected to grow at a rate of 3.5% in 2024 and hover at a consistent 3.4% on average in 2025-2026, signaling that the plan is having its intended effect on the Congo’s economy. The World Bank also notes that “although debt vulnerabilities remain elevated to this day, the debt-to-GDP ratio (a measurement of how much total federal debt is there as a percentage of the current GDP of the nation) is projected to decline slowly to 81% by 2026”, a massive step from the previous 96% in 2023.

The United States currently has a debt-to-GDP ratio of around 122%, highlighting how much progress has been made to improve the general quality of life in the Congo and calling for good times ahead for the Congolese and the Republic of the Congo.

– Aarush Kanduri

Aarush Kanduri is based in Iselin, NJ and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Energy Poverty in Portugal

energy poverty in portugalPortugal’s household energy costs have gradually increased. Yet in 2017, the percentage of households unable to keep houses adequately warm was almost three times higher than the EU average. Low household income, low energy performance and high energy costs contribute greatly to energy poverty in Portugal. Many people lack the financial resources to access adequate energy services making it difficult to maintain home ownership. The Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (DGE) estimates that between 1.9 million and 3 million people are in energy poverty in Portugal, while 660,000 to 740,000 live in “severe” energy poverty. The Portuguese National Long-Term Energy Poverty Mitigation Strategy was approved in early 2024. This means these four major initiatives have been implemented to eradicate energy poverty in Portugal by 2050.

Increasing Energy Performance and Access

A 74-year-old who lives with his wife in Portugal in a social housing apartment said “I cannot keep it [the fan] on for long because it also uses a lot [of electricity]…” DGE aims to apply renovation, and replacement, with new or efficient equipment and sustainable technologies and materials to increase energy performance. As a result, it could help homes stay warm, not compromising the well-being and health of households. This prioritization of efficiency could provide lower energy costs, allowing households to focus on careers and education.

Those living in energy poverty in Portugal will have access to essential energy services, and new forms of energy production. For example, renewable energy communities allow for energy sharing. This would ease the financial strain on households suffering from energy poverty in Portugal as the entire community assists with the payment of energy bills, according to DGE. Independent households living in energy poverty can no longer have to sacrifice time and resources to meet high energy costs through collective energy communities, therefore improving their quality of life and financial stability.

Raising Awareness and Reducing Consumption

By promoting educational campaigns and providing tools for energy efficiency measures, awareness could lead to monitoring of energy consumption and improved energy practices. An example of this was EDP’s “Your Energy: Show Your Power!” initiative that took place in Lisbon for students. It raised awareness of living conditions in homes that suffered energy poverty in the country and energy sustainability through interactive lessons and activities.

Reducing the burden of energy consumption focuses on price support mechanisms and guiding principles. It would lead to a bigger increase in household disposable income as the price of energy will remain affordable, regardless of the consumer’s geographical, economic or social situation, according to DGE. This supports a higher quality of life as households living in energy poverty in Portugal no longer have to sacrifice time and resources to meet high energy costs.

Energy Poverty in Portugal: The Future

The Portuguese National Long-Term Energy Poverty Mitigation Strategy discusses four strong strategies to combat energy poverty in Portugal. By increasing household energy efficiency, this initiative aims to reduce energy poverty in Portugal by replacing old technology with newer, efficient equipment. Universal access to energy services makes energy much more accessible to people who live in rural areas or in socio-economic situations that suffer from energy poverty. Raising awareness of energy poverty in the country is also a significant aspect of fighting energy poverty as it educates people on better energy practices and energy consumption monitoring. And lastly, affordable prices support a higher quality of life and financial stability for households who suffer from energy poverty in Portugal because of expensive costs.

– Chelsey Saya McLeod

Chelsey is based in Southampton, Hampshire, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Organizations that Help Children in Costa Rica

Help Children in Costa RicaCosta Rica is a small country in Central America. It has a trade-based upper-middle-income economy, but poverty is still prevalent in the country, especially for children. Approximately one in three children under the age of 18 lives in poverty, especially those in single-parent households. The percentage of children and youth living in monetary poverty stands at 35%. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the average income for households decreased, only exacerbating the problem. So 30% of households had to reduce their food portions to make up for the loss of wages during the pandemic. In 2021, around 84,490 youths were victims of violence. UNICEF’s studies show that 46% of youths between the ages of 2-14 were disciplined using physical and/or psychological punishment, SOS Children’s Village reports. To combat this child poverty and violence, three organizations are working to help children in Costa Rica.

SOS Children’s Villages

This organization focuses on helping children in Costa Rica, specifically in certain towns within the country. One such city is Limon, known as Costa Rica’s murder capital, according to SOS Children’s Village. The city’s homicide rate is 35.9 per 100,000 people, while the homicide rate in the country is 17.2 per 100,000 people. Conflicts between organized crime groups cause most murders in Limon, and children are lured into these gangs, where they transport and sell drugs.

The organization creates “children’s villages” in Costa Rica, and in Limon specifically, to create a safe community for children to grow up in, especially children who cannot stay with their families. It also tries to keep in close contact with the children’s original families so that if they can return to their own homes, the transition process will go smoothly, according to its website. The children in these villages grow up together and make life-long relationships with each other.

Currently, in Limon village, there are 5 youths, but the organization has supported more than 100 young people. SOS Children’s Villages makes sure to provide the children with education and access to health care. In helping these children in Costa Rica grow up in a healthy environment to become confident adults, the team at the organization encourages each youth to make a plan for the future, according to SOS Children’s Villages. When these youths come of age, it also helps them prepare for employment by hosting workshops and training where they can join projects with local businesses.

Hope Partners International

Hope Partners is a Christian organization working to help children in Costa Rica. It works to improve the education, safety, and nutrition of children. The organization opened three new classrooms and a computer lab in its “Hope Centers” to allow more children to have access to education, according to its website. It also supports children eager to learn through mentorship and educational classes so that they can attend college or vocational school.

The organization also emphasizes the safety of its Hope Centers, while also providing a balanced meal for all students who visit the center. The group aims to relieve the children of some of the “day-to-day burdens from their shoulders and [provide] a consistent place of refuge and nourishment,” according to its website. Through its work, Hope Partners International hopes to create “healthier, more vibrant communities” in Costa Rica, starting by reducing child poverty.

Children Incorporated

Children Incorporated focuses on individual children through a sponsorship program to alleviate child poverty, one child at a time. They appreciate the financial support from their sponsors, but the relationship that could be developed between them could also be deep and special. The monthly sponsorship rate is $35, which buys the children school supplies, food, clothing and access to health care. Through this, children can go to school and be educated, according to Children Incorporated.

Volunteer coordinators who are physically in these local communities in Costa Rica are there to guide and help the children. They hand out hygiene items, clothes, shoes, and such essential items to the children, guide them through education, and work to improve health and nutrition, all with the sponsors’ support.

Ways to Help Children in Costa Rica

These three organizations are working to help children in Costa Rica. Poverty and violence often go hand in hand, so some groups focus on keeping youths safe from harm and gang activity, while others work to bring them out of poverty first. As these groups show, there are many different ways one could do that, either through community centers, children’s villages, or a more individualistic approach, but as long as it helps one more youth in Costa Rica, it is a work well worth the effort.

– Hannah Chang

Hannah is based in Philadelphia, PA, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Debanking in Nauru: Protecting Countries Amid Bank Closures

Debanking in Nauru: Protecting Countries Amid Bank Closures Debanking is threatening economic security and safety across Nauru and several other Pacific Island countries. This term describes the closure of banks or bank accounts when they pose economic or reputational risks to banking operations.

Debanking across Pacific Island Countries is becoming common. This has been onset by the small populations and remote locations of many of the islands, as well as concerns over organized crime in the region, making banking relatively unprofitable. Between 2011 and 2022 the Pacific Islands Region lost 60% of its correspondent banking relationships. A correspondent banking relationship allows financial institutions like banks to provide services abroad in foreign currencies, which can be crucial for trade and the provision of humanitarian assistance.

The closure of Western banks in Pacific Island Countries further limits their access to the global financial system, threatening the flows of trade, tourism and aid. The continued flow of disaster aid is significant for a region that is at high risk for natural hazards like cyclones, floods, volcanic eruptions and droughts. 

Debanking in Nauru

A World Bank data from 2023 shows Nauru’s population at 12,780, ranking it among the world’s smallest nations. A key challenge in Nauru is the inconsistent access to freshwater, making the region heavily reliant on rainwater collection which is unreliable and leads to frequent droughts. Furthermore, the country’s only bank, the Australian-based Bendigo Bank, initially planned to cease operations by Dec. 2024. This closure has been postponed to June 2025, but the impending withdrawal continues to pose significant economic risks, threatening the financial security of the country.

The World Bank’s $68 Million Fund

The World Bank recently approved a $68 million project to shield Pacific Island countries from economic instability. This initiative promises to sustain trade, aid and tourism by establishing a cross-border transactions service, should any country lose its final banking connection. Each Pacific Island country involved will receive $9 million. World Bank President Ajay Banga, highlighting the significance of this move during his historic visit to Fiji—the first by a World Bank president in 50 years—underscored the importance of maintaining these nations’ access to the global financial system. The project targets seven countries: Fiji, Kiribati, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. It also supports members of the Pacific Islands Forum, which includes smaller island nations like Nauru and the Cook Islands.

Ensuring Future Economic Stability in the Region

Debanking in Nauru and other Pacific Island Countries has created financial uncertainty and risks the flows of humanitarian aid in a region where natural disasters are common. The World Bank’s approval of a $68 Million project to protect cross-border transactions is a crucial first step. While Nauru will benefit from the funds allocated to the Pacific Islands Forum, securing direct funding for other Pacific Island Countries in future projects is equally vital. Moreover, developing a permanent solution to keep Pacific Island countries connected to the international financial system continues to be a priority.

– Joshua Marriott

Joshua is based in Cardiff, Wales and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Overview of Poverty in Mali

Poverty in MaliMali, a country of 22.9 million, faces some of the highest poverty rates in the world. The country’s extreme poverty rate, defined as making less than $2.15 per day, has only increased since COVID-19, hitting 19.1% in 2022. The most vulnerable populations have continued to lose purchasing power as prices climb higher and economic growth dwindles. Yet the economy itself has continued to grow, raising 3.5% in 2022. This article outlines quick facts about poverty in Mali.

Poverty in Mali: Political Context and Basic Needs

Mali has had five military coups since gaining its independence from France in 1960, the most recent being in 2021. The coup in 1991 was relatively successful, but the country has faced instability since the coup in 2012. There was another government breakdown in 2020 and a Head of State was named in 2021, but that was quickly overthrown by the original coup leaders. This has led to further government instability and a lack of access to public services, contributing to poverty in Mali.

In 2020, 2021, and 2022 only 45% of Malians had access to basic sanitation, 48% had access to electricity, and 40% had access to clean drinking water, respectively, according to the Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI). Access to these basic needs is unequal between regions, with access being the worst in the northern region and sparse rural areas.

Unemployment and Children’s Rights

Agriculture makes up 80% of Mali’s employment, yet 65% of the country’s land is a total desert or semi-desert area. This forces most agriculture to stay along the Niger River, making the sector much more vulnerable to natural disasters. The country also faces land degradation, a lack of fertilizer, and post-harvest losses from poor storage and processing capacity, according to the World Food Programme (WFP). All of this contributes to smallholder farmers having higher-than-average poverty rates.

“More than 2 million children between 5 and 17 do not go to school,” according to UNICEF,  despite national efforts to improve education over the last decade. More than half of Mali’s young people are still not literate. Children in Mali often have to drop out of school to work, enter child marriages or because of school closures. Besides dropout rates, Malian schools also struggle to find enough qualified teachers and textbooks for students. Only 73.8% of girls and 85.5% of boys are enrolled in primary school and only 15% of girls and 21% of boys continue to secondary school, UNICEF reports.

Every year of education can increase an individual’s income by up to 10%. Education provides people with the skills and knowledge they need to secure employment and become financially independent. It is considered to be one of the most effective ways to combat poverty in Mali, yet so many Malians still cannot access it.

Conflict and Displacement

Many of the poorest in Mali struggle with internal displacement. At the end of 2023, internal displacement affected around 344,000 people in Mali due to conflict and violence or natural disasters such as flooding. Many people lose their income due to displacement, plunging them into poverty. Almost two-thirds of internally displaced households lacked a stable income source in 2023, compared to less than 20% of non-displaced households, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center (IDMC).

A combination of the above issues, armed conflict and restricted humanitarian access are pushing nearly 1 million Malian children under 5 into acute malnutrition. Close to 5 million children are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance in Mali and at least 200,000 are at risk of dying of hunger if they do not receive aid. In Northern Mali, the Sahara desert is quickly expanding and encroaching on farmlands, directly leading to food shortages in the country.

Addressing Poverty in Mali

Many international organizations are working to address the complex web of issues contributing to poverty in Mali. UNICEF, for example, has programs aiming to strengthen and spread access to education in Mali. UNICEF supports Mali’s Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Vocational Training and the Ministry of Higher Learning and Scientific Research to support education at all levels, according to its website. It also works with in-country partners to offer education opportunities to out-of-school children. The organization works to build up the capacity of school management committees, train more teachers and increase access to school materials for teachers and students.

USAID currently has eight active programs in Mali fighting to eradicate malnutrition. Mali is one of USAID’s 12 “Feed the Future” target countries for focused investment under the U.S. Government’s Global Food Security Strategy. The U.S. has made strategic investments in 113 communities addressing malnutrition, low dietary diversity, improving agricultural trade and investment, and bullying capacity among farmers, the private sector, civil society and public institutions. These programs are a part of the five-year USAID/Mali Health Strategy, which “seeks to achieve sustained improvements in health and facilitate Mali’s journey toward self-reliance.”

– Anna Thibodeau

Anna is based in Omaha, NE, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Addressing Energy Poverty in India

energy poverty in indiaDue to rapid population growth and economic development, India has a need to scale up its energy capacity to alleviate energy poverty and meet its energy demands. Energy poverty refers to household access to affordable, reliable and safe energy services. Although India could be the third largest economy by 2030, per capita income is below the global average, with regional infrastructure disparities affecting access to modern energy sources. The energy situation disproportionately impacts lower-income households, who spend a large portion of their income on energy or use less desirable energy forms, according to the 2023 Energy Research and Social Science article.

Governmental programs aim to alleviate energy poverty in India while promoting more reliable and efficient forms of energy. The Indian government will continue to subsidize all energy forms to meet growing demand while promoting technological development and private investment.

Energy Poverty In India

Energy poverty is still widespread in India because of the challenges of affordability, capacity and reliability. According to the Household Energy Poverty Index, 65% of households experienced energy poverty in 2020, but this is improving.

Energy poverty in India declined between 2004 and 2012 in most states but increased in poorer states which account for more than 30% of India’s population. It is declining slower in rural areas  — the greatest improvements being in major cities.

Energy poverty rates are higher than income poverty rates. In rural areas, 57% of households experience energy poverty while 22% experience income poverty, compared to 28% and 20% respectively for urban areas.

Energy poverty affects disadvantaged groups. It is linked to lower socio-economic status and level of education. Furthermore, lower castes and marginalized communities such as the Dalits and tribal Adivasi are particularly energy-poor or have only seen marginal rates of energy poverty decline, according to the 2019 Energy and Buildings article.

Despite nearly all Indians having access to electricity, 41% still rely on traditional biofuels like cow dung and wood for cooking because of financial insecurity. Women and girls are more likely to collect and prepare bio-fuels, detracting from time spent on education, childcare and income-generating activities, according to the 2019 Energy and Buildings article. These fuels create pollutants associated with chronic respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis and bronchitis.

India’s Energy Challenges

India has been increasing fossil fuel subsidies because of its carbon-intensive economy. Last year, 58% of energy consumption and 77% of generated energy came from coal. Crude oil accounted for 31% of energy consumption last year, but India imports approximately 87% of it, leading to vulnerability to price fluctuations and geopolitical risks that prevent lower-income households from accessing energy affordably and reliably.

Fossil fuel subsidies reinforce income inequalities by mostly benefiting higher-income individuals. They also contribute to health and environmental costs that disproportionately impact the poor.

During the global energy crisis, the Indian government instituted fuel price caps, tax cuts and budgetary transfers to help combat energy poverty. However, such measures led to overconsumption because fuel prices did not reflect their market value or social costs. This resulted in an estimated $346 billion in lost tax revenue in 2022 and less space for renewable energy and infrastructure development critical for low-income households.

Government Energy Policy in 2024

To address these issues, India is taking a hybrid approach by boosting all forms of energy. India is expected to invest more than $35 billion annually in advanced energy solutions by 2030.

Renewable energy is another focus, with a target to increase non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030.  The 2024 budget allocated approximately $71.7 million to the Green Hydrogen Fund to promote green hydrogen production and stimulate private-sector investment.

The budget also allows the first public-private nuclear energy partnerships, inviting $26 billion in investments for small modular reactors and research and development. The government will also engage in joint ventures for thermal power plants.

To ensure more equitable access, approximately $1.2 billion was allocated to subsidize solar panel installation for 10 million households and provide 300 units of free electricity monthly for some lower-income households. Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) projects like private solar panels, micro-grids and other community-focused projects help reduce energy poverty in Indian marginalized communities.

In addition to diversifying its energy sources, India has also diversified the countries it imports oil from to reduce price fluctuations due to supply changes and geopolitical tensions.

Energy Poverty in India: Conclusion

India’s multi-dimensional approach aims to balance its energy needs with sustainable and equitable access. Investments in advanced energy solutions and private sector ventures, as well as investments in clean energy and infrastructure, are necessary to meet India’s growing energy demand while working toward sustainable development goals.

Energy poverty in India is difficult to alleviate because of reliance on fossil fuels, deep socio-economic inequalities and infrastructural and financing challenges. However, India has made spectacular progress in recent decades in other developmental areas like poverty alleviation and expanding access to electricity. While the path to ending energy poverty is complex and long-term, recent government plans demonstrate continuity in efforts to alleviate the issue.

– Luke Ravetto

Luke is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Gardening in Conflict: Sowing seeds of hope in war zones

Gardening in ConflictGardening in conflict offers a vital antidote; the planting of seeds is analogous to the transformation of lives uprooted by destruction. Gardens offer both symbolic relief and tangible rewards for citizens as they grapple with the reality of environmental devastation and displacement. The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Reports found that gardening promotes reminiscence and a sense of self, endowing communities and individuals with purpose.

Gardening in Conflict

Communities across the globe exhibit gardening in conflict as they cultivate alternative land and futures in the aftermath of war. War correspondent Lalage Snow writes of the desensitization associated with conflict, noting the wantonness of destruction in her book War Gardens: A Journey Through Conflict in Search of Calm.

Yet such desensitization is being challenged by community projects in areas once defined by war. From Burkina Faso to Afghanistan, gardeners display a belief in tomorrow by planting seeds that will outlast human conflict. Three projects particularly exemplify this sentiment and demonstrate that gardens can provide not only a means of survival but also sanctuary against a backdrop of unrest.

The RECOSA Project in Burkina Faso

Around 1.9 million people are now seeking refuge in disparate parts of Burkina Faso as armed groups have claimed entire regions of the country. The closure of 6,000 schools and rising food insecurity come alongside a sense of disconnection from personal land and heritage.

Initiated by the Red Cross and Handicap International, the RECOSA garden project is addressing such issues by creating shared spaces for growing crops and flowers. In Sebba, social cohesion is growing through communal gardens. Cross-border populations are particularly vulnerable to social dislocation, inhabiting a place characterized by the transitory movement of people. Seventy-five Sebba households learned to create shared gardens which has been transformative for those experiencing food insecurity and isolated from their communities.

Chihilsitoon Garden in Kabul

The Chihilsitoon Garden, like much of Afghanistan, suffered the civil war of the 1990s. It lay in ruins, a remnant of looting and destruction, for 25 years. However, in 2015, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture restored the 12.5-hectare Chihilsitoon garden to its former glory. By planting 5,000 new trees and populating the park with native flowers from nearby hills, a space became a sanctuary for the citizens of Kabul.

This drastic landscaping has created multifaceted opportunities for those still recovering from the turmoil of war and occupation. Waterways and paths, long lost under the rubble of conflict, have been recovered to form trails that connect various spatial experiences. Picnic and an amphitheater are linked through paths lined with flowers now tended by a team of Afghan farmers.

The rehabilitated garden provides citizens a sanctuary to socialize and form new associations with a place once tainted by war. The preservation of green spaces is restoring Afghan culture and social history; the planting of native flowers supplants former devastation.

Since its restoration, the gardens have annually attracted more than 400,000 visitors. The transformation of a former warzone into a green sanctuary has provided newfound hope for Afghanis.

Gardening in the War Zone of Kharkiv

Alla Olkhovska lives 20 miles south of the Russian-Ukraine border in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Confronted with daily air raid sirens, a reminder of the battlefield surrounding her, she seeks solace in the flowers and trees in her garden. Lacking the means to escape the country after Russia’s invasion, she has sought refuge in clematis and wild flowers. Her remarkable work has garnered international attention, allowing her to make a documentary, Gardening in a War Zone.

The documentary shows her horticultural skills and the therapy she finds in tending to her plants. At one point she admires the seedlings in her hand and the ability to hold multiple lives and future lives in one hand. This sentiment offers relief against a backdrop of conflict which threatens to destroy a generation’s future.

Alla’s work has also spawned a book, Clematis, which covers how best to cultivate the flower. In a message to the reader Alla says that writing the book during the war was particularly taxing and, faced with ‘constant missile attacks’ and a volatile psychological state, writing conditions were far from ideal. Yet a passion for gardening drowned out the wail of sirens in the distance. It has provided her with a sense of purpose, helping it grow into hope for her nation.

Whilst the reality of war can not be ignored, she refuses to accept defeat when confronted with the life found in plants every day. Her story is a testament to the power of gardens in reminding us that new life will prevail despite imminent threats to it.

Gardening in Conflict: Final Thoughts

The cultivation of seeds produces more than just plants; each seedling spawns newfound hope and autonomy. Gardening in conflict offers social cohesion. Yet it also speaks of human fortitude, and a remarkable ability to see potential in spaces once threatened by war.

– Lucy Tappin

Lucy is based in the UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr