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5 Child-Led Inventions Addressing Global Poverty

Child-Led InventionsYoung people often don’t know that something can’t be done, so they try it. Disturbed by the poor living conditions of others, driven by awareness of environmental contamination or simply believing that all humans have the right to basic needs, youth can make a difference in the lives of the impoverished around the world. Here’s a look at five child-led inventions that address global poverty and are both innovative and inspiring.

William Kamkwamba, Masitala, Malawi

In 2001, thousands perished and many lost their livelihood in one of the worst droughts the rural village of Masitala, Malawi, had ever experienced. Crops wouldn’t grow in the dry soil and without their farming income, 14 years old Kamkwamba’s family couldn’t afford his school tuition. Nevertheless, Kamkwamba was determined to keep learning.

Discovering a book about alternative energy at Masitala’s small library, he became fascinated with windmills. Kamkwamba resolved to use the technology to bring desperately needed running water and electricity to his family. Improvising with scrap parts such as sandals, bicycle components, an old fan blade and gum trees, he successfully constructed a windmill which was able to power his home’s basic needs.

Kamkwamba gained financial support as his success story spread and he built additional windmills to bring power and water to his village, accelerating the fight against poverty. Kamkwamba’s story was adapted into a 2019 feature film titled “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.”

Jahkil Jackson, Chicago, US

Jackson felt compelled to ease the disparagement faced by the unhoused after helping deliver nourishment to displaced people in his hometown, Chicago. His passion led him to launch Project I Am (an organization that distributes hygiene kits to people without homes) in 2016, when he was just 8 years old. The kits or “blessing bags”, are filled with toiletries, nonperishable food, socks and other necessities, providing comfort and basic needs to those without.

Project I Am has distributed thousands of kits to those in poverty and to disaster victims in the U.S. and abroad. Now a member of the WE International Youth Council, Jackson encourages children to help enrich the world, emphasizing the impact of child-led inventions addressing global poverty. Heartland Alliance, a prominent anti-poverty organization and the Obama Foundation have recognized Jackson’s efforts.

Maryam Saleem, Pakistan

At age 13, Saleem was deeply concerned that much of her fellow Pakistani population was living in poverty without access to clean energy. Inhabitants would often cook their meals with firewood, which can pollute the air, cause respiratory damage and additional health problems. Suffering from respiratory issues herself, Saleem was determined to find a solution.

She created a portable biodigester that converts household organic waste into cooking biofuel. Saleem’s invention won her the 2023 Citi Foundation’s Skills for Success Challenge in the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) World Series of Innovation. With her award money, she is able to provide free biodigesters for the impoverished in Pakistan through “GoClean,” the organization she co-created.

Hannah Herbst, Florida, US

In 2015, at age 14, Herbst vowed to help her Ethiopian pen pal, who lived without basic necessities like running water and electricity. Herbst worked to invent a small turbine that generates electricity from ocean currents. Constructed of affordable, recyclable materials, her design is compact and floats above the water, while existing systems can be bulky and sit on the ocean floor.

Herbst’s invention, ideal for use in developing areas due to its low cost and accessibility, won her the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist” in the 2015 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Herbst shared some of her prize money with her pen pal, enabling her family to buy a generator. Herbst plans to add water purification capability to her system and open-source the design so that electricity and purified water are readily available to shoreline communities worldwide.

Her invention demonstrates the power of child-led inventions addressing global poverty.

Xóchitl Guadalupe Cruz López, Chiapas, Mexico

Much of the population in Chiapas, Mexico, lives in poverty without access to conventional plumbing. Inhabitants often use firewood or oil to heat their water, fuels that can release contaminants and pose respiratory hazards. In 2018, at 8 years old, inspired by scientific workshops and by her concern for the environment and her fellow citizens, López decided to build an environmentally friendly, affordable water-heating system.

She used discarded items such as painted plastic bottles, a hose, wood scraps and pieces of glass from cooler doors. She and her father installed the finished device, capable of heating 10 liters of water, on the roof of her house. Her invention was a success and led to López becoming the first girl to receive an honor typically awarded to adults: “Recognition of the Institute of Nuclear Science for Women.”

López plans to make her invention available to all of Chiapas to help improve the lives of those living in poverty.

Conclusion

These five child-led inventions addressing global poverty demonstrate what fearless, determined youth can accomplish. Filled with the desire to help those less fortunate and enabled by education, scientific programs or simply the belief in a cause, children of the world see endless possibilities for helping the planet’s impoverished populations. With little help, young people can turn those possibilities into reality.

– Debbie Barto

Debbie is based in Monroe, WA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Waste-to-Fuel Microfactories in Lagos

Waste-to-Fuel Microfactories in LagosLagos faces two interconnected challenges that disproportionately affect low-income communities: mounting waste accumulation and unreliable access to affordable energy. The city generates 13,000 metric tons of waste every day, including plastics, organics and other refuse, and waste management systems struggle to keep up with rapid urban growth. This inconsistency contributes to environmental degradation and heightened health risks in densely populated neighborhoods. Waste-to-fuel microfactories in Lagos offer a community-level approach to this dual challenge by proposing systems that convert solid waste into usable fuels and energy products. By turning discarded materials into resources, these systems expand clean energy access while creating income opportunities and reducing landfill pressure.

Lagos’s shift toward circular waste strategies seeks to move beyond disposal toward resource recovery, allowing communities to benefit economically from materials previously considered waste. Waste-to-fuel microfactories in Lagos could function as decentralized hubs where plastic waste, agricultural scraps and organics become fuels like briquettes, biogas or process heat for local use.

Local Waste Processing Reduces Environmental Burden

Lagos is advancing circular waste economy and energy recovery partnerships that aim to harness the inherent value of solid waste rather than burden landfills. For example, the state is actively working to replace its linear waste model with one focusing on energy recovery and material reuse, reflecting a broader strategy to transform waste into resources.

The Lagos State Government has signed a partnership with Harvest Waste Consortium, a Dutch company that will build a waste-to-energy plant at the Epe landfill using advanced technology to convert municipal, commercial and industrial waste into clean energy. This facility could generate usable electrical power and provide a model for how waste-to-fuel microfactories might function at smaller, community scales.

Additionally, collaboration between Lagos State and Lafarge Africa aims to convert non-recyclable combustible waste into alternative fuel for industrial use, an initiative that demonstrates how waste can become fuel for energy and production rather than end up in dumpsites.

Public Health, Jobs and Economic Opportunities

Beyond large waste-to-energy facilities, Lagos is positioning waste as a source of economic value. A recent forum on waste management emphasized that waste should be seen as “wealth we recover,” highlighting the potential for new jobs in waste collection, sorting, processing and energy conversion. This shift toward circular strategies supports livelihoods and provides training and employment for local residents, demonstrating how waste-to-fuel microfactories could create income streams at community level.

Traditional solid fuels like charcoal and kerosene contribute to indoor air pollution and respiratory illness, particularly among low-income households. Waste-derived energy products, including briquettes or biogas, burn more cleanly and could reduce harmful emissions when adopted at household or community levels. Research on waste-to-energy technologies in Nigeria notes the potential public health gains when municipal solid waste is converted to usable energy rather than left to decompose in open dumps.

Circular Economy Models Strengthen Urban Resilience

Lagos officials have acknowledged that waste is an untapped economic opportunity, and strategic circular economy plans aim to build systems that treat waste as a resource. Experts say that sustainable energy recovery strategies — including pyrolysis and other waste conversion technologies, offer a pathway toward economic growth, reduced environmental impact and enhanced energy security in Nigeria’s largest city.

Waste-to-fuel microfactories in Lagos, though still emerging, fit within a larger movement toward circular waste management, energy recovery and community-focused economic opportunity. By transforming waste into usable fuels and energy products, these systems could reduce landfill burdens, create jobs and expand access to cleaner energy for underserved communities. With continued investment, supportive policy frameworks and community engagement, Lagos’s approach to waste-to-fuel technologies can play a meaningful role in addressing both environmental and socioeconomic challenges in the city.

– Shahzeb Khan

Shahzeb is based in San Ramon, CA, USA and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Clean Energy in Kenya Is Powering Poverty Reduction

Clean Energy in KenyaWhen the sun sets over rural Kenya, darkness no longer marks the end of the day for many families. Clean energy increasingly influences daily life in communities that formerly relied on expensive fuel and smoky kerosene lamps. Children study after dusk, homes are brightened by solar lights and small businesses remain open later.

Renewable energy benefits the nation’s well-being and economy more than simply endorsing positive environmental pursuits. It actively supports poverty reduction in Kenya by expanding opportunities at the household level.

Expanding Clean Energy Access in Kenya

Millions of Kenyan families suffered from low productivity and bad health for decades due to energy poverty. Families spent a significant amount of their earnings on charcoal, firewood and kerosene. These fuels depleted cash and harmed people’s health.

Respiratory ailments were caused by indoor air pollution and opportunities for education and employment were limited by sporadic lighting. However, recent findings show how the nation has rewritten its past. Kenya has made great strides in expanding access to clean cooking and power through strong regulations and targeted infrastructure investments, according to a recent IEA assessment.

Kenya is positioned as a regional leader in economic and energy growth, thanks to its ambitious implementation plans. Its push for electrification using clean energy technology has put the country on track to achieve universal access to electricity by 2030. “Kenya is showing how the strategic deployment of clean energy technologies and electrification in end-use sectors can significantly improve the lives of millions of the most vulnerable people in the world,” stated IEA Deputy Executive Director Mary Burce Warlick.

A key contributing factor to this remarkable turnaround is the transition to clean energy. The nation is currently among the world leaders in clean power, producing more than 90% of its electricity from renewable sources. Large-scale initiatives like Lake Turkana Wind Power improved the country’s national grid and showed Kenya’s dedication to sustainable development.

Solar Power’s Impact in Kenya

This shift links clean power directly to long-term poverty reduction in Kenya by supporting inclusive economic development. Rural residents who would have had to wait years for grid connections can now get electricity immediately thanks to off-grid solar installations. Businesses like M-KOPA use pay-as-you-go methods to enable families to purchase solar systems with modest daily payments made with mobile money.

Millions of people now have dependable energy for the first time thanks to M-KOPA’s solar power connections to more than two million homes. Solar electricity facilitates exciting opportunities for people in Kenya. Parents may operate small home-run businesses, charge neighbors’ phones and extend store hours after dark with dependable electricity.

Reduced energy expenses provide free money for food, medical care and school tuition. Clean energy enhances pathways to poverty reduction in Kenya, enabling households to transition from a bare minimum existence to a more sustainable future, with potential for future investments. Additionally, clean energy enhances health outcomes, particularly for women and children.

Solar illumination reduces indoor air pollution and replaces kerosene lamps. Families are less likely to have fire hazards and respiratory issues. Furthermore, solar energy helps hospitals by supplying consistent illumination and refrigeration for vaccinations in isolated locations.

Final Remarks

The United Nations (U.N.) lists its Sustainable Development Goals, a notable aim being to ensure access to clean, affordable energy. Kenya’s journey toward sustainable energy is a story of possibility. The nation demonstrates that climate action and economic advancement can coexist by increasing access to reasonably priced renewable energy.

Clean energy today provides security, dignity and a practical way out of poverty for many Kenyan households.

– Prubleen Bhogal

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

Photo: Flickr

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Renewable Energy in Suriname: A Pathway Out of Poverty

Renewable Energy in SurinameSuriname is a small country on the northern coast of South America in which many rural families still struggle with energy poverty. Rural communities often receive unreliable electricity if they receive it at all and diesel generators only deliver power for limited hours each day. In isolated areas families pay high costs for fuel while students and workers lack reliable lighting and power for basic appliances. This constrained energy access limits economic opportunities, education and health outcomes. Renewable energy in Suriname is increasingly seen not just as an environmental goal but as a critical driver for inclusive development and poverty reduction.

Renewable energy initiatives in Suriname, supported by government partners and international institutions, are expanding continuous electricity access to remote areas. These programs improve educational opportunities, reduce household energy costs and bring dependable power to villages that previously relied on expensive diesel generators. Here are five Ways that renewable energy reduces poverty in Suriname:

1. Solar Microgrids Bring Power To Remote Villages

The Suriname Village Photovoltaic Microgrid Project is a major step toward expanding renewable energy in Suriname’s interior. The initiative uses solar photovoltaic battery storage and hybrid systems to provide uninterrupted electricity to remote forest villages that historically had only a few hours of power each evening. As of 2024, 12 remote villages are connected to the first phases of the project and this infrastructure is being expanded to serve 34 villages with continuous electricity at a combined capacity of approximately 5,314 MWh once fully completed. These microgrids enable households to use lighting, refrigeration and phone charging throughout the day and night improving quality of life and creating new economic possibilities for residents.

2. Clean Energy Reduces Expenses at a Household Level

Although Suriname has a high national electricity access rate, rural communities continue to lag behind. More than 99% of urban residents have access to grid electricity, while rural access falls below 90% and many remote villages rely on diesel generators that provide power for only a few hours each day. Renewable energy infrastructure is expanding through solar mini-grids and hybrid systems that combine solar panels, battery storage and diesel backup to bring more reliable power to isolated communities. For example, in addition to the Suriname Village Microgrid Photovoltaic Project’s accomplishments, PowerChina is building additional hybrid solar microgrid plants to supply electricity to 25 villages across regions such as Daume, Cajana and Galibi. By replacing diesel generation, these renewable systems reduce fuel costs and price volatility while improving the stability of daily life for rural families.

3. Renewable Projects Create Skilled Jobs

Renewable energy projects like the solar microgrid deployments often create opportunities for local employment in installation operations and maintenance. International development frameworks for rural renewable projects typically include capacity building components to strengthen local skills and workforce readiness. For example, technical cooperation programs supported by institutions like the Inter-American Development Bank aim to increase local capacity for energy infrastructure development and productive use of electricity in rural areas.

4. Clean Energy Empowers Small Businesses and Farmers

Consistent electricity from renewable sources allows students to study after dark and supports digital learning tools in rural schools. Stable energy also enables small businesses such as shops and refrigeration services to operate reliably beyond daylight hours. Hybrid microgrids and solar PV systems moving into Suriname’s interior are part of this broader trend empowering communities to plan and expand entrepreneurial activities with a dependable power supply.

5. Renewable Energy Strengthens Climate Resilience

Changing weather patterns threaten Suriname’s rural economy through flooding and disruptions to traditional livelihoods. Renewable energy in Suriname, especially decentralized solar PV and hybrid systems, improves energy resilience by reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels and fossil fuel price shocks. Decentralized systems also provide essential power for critical services such as health clinics and water supply systems even during severe weather events or grid interruptions.

Conclusion

Renewable energy in Suriname plays a critical role in reducing poverty by expanding electricity access, lowering household costs and creating employment opportunities. Solar microgrids, home systems and hybrid energy projects strengthen education, health care and small businesses while improving resilience to changing weather patterns. As these initiatives continue to grow, renewable energy in Suriname offers a sustainable pathway toward economic stability and long-term poverty reduction.

– Shahzeb Khan

Shahzeb is based in San Ramon, CA, USA and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Floating Solar Power in India

Floating Solar Power in IndiaFor the first time, it is predicted that energy investments in solar power will exceed oil and gas in 2025. Solar energy has become a vital way to create jobs, cut carbon emissions and accelerate economic progress. While many new solar installations are found on land, land availability in India is the lowest per capita among G20 countries. To strengthen its green energy capacity, India is turning to floating solar power.

India’s Floating Solar Revolution

India has the potential to generate 280 GW to 300 GW of electricity by installing floating solar panels and the work has already begun. The Ramagundum Floating Solar Project, which has been built over 500 acres and the Kayamkulam Floating Solar Power Plant, which can light up 26,000 households daily, were commissioned as early as 2022.

The Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project is projected to power more than 100,000 houses daily and offset carbon emissions by 1.2 million metric tons annually.

More Than Land Savings

Installing solar panels has other benefits besides land preservation, which is important to India. Floating panels operate more efficiently thanks to the cooling effect of water. Covering large areas of lakes, rivers and reservoirs with plastic solar panels also reduces water loss from evaporation, which has become more of a concern due to increased global temperatures.

Many large countries already use floating solar to generate clean, green energy and India is joining their ranks. Globally, floating solar could supply up to 50% of the world’s electricity.

In addition to advancing India’s clean energy goals, including a net-zero carbon target by 2070, the push for floating solar generates millions of new jobs annually. The renewable energy sector globally created 13.7 million jobs in 2022, rising to 16.2 million in 2023. India alone accounted for an estimated 1.02 million jobs in 2023. With the push towards floating solar panels in 2024, India’s renewable energy job numbers are expected to grow even further.

Floating Solar’s Promise and Roadblocks

India is leading the way in charging for green electricity. However, other countries like the Maldives, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have been trying to adopt clean energy, particularly floating solar panels.

The cost of installing solar on land in India is cheaper than on bodies of water and there are some unclear eligibility criteria for floating solar sites, as well as a limited manufacturing capacity for floating solar equipment. There are still struggles involved in implementing floating solar technology.

Final Remarks

India depends heavily on its land for agriculture, mining and other vital economic activities. Discovering India could use its abundant bodies of water for floating solar power, rather than sacrificing precious land, was a breakthrough. This approach is generating much-needed energy, cutting CO₂ emissions, reducing evaporation from critical water sources and creating valuable jobs nationwide.

– Gregory Walker

Gregory is based in York, PA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Impacts of The Smart Rwanda Master Plan

Smart Rwanda Master PlanRwanda continues to make remarkable progress in 2025 by advancing the Smart Rwanda Master Plan. It is a comprehensive national blueprint for the country’s transformation into a knowledge-based economy. This plan coordinates multiple initiatives in clean energy, digital connectivity, education, health and entrepreneurship. Smart Rwanda links urban innovation with rural development to reduce poverty and promote inclusive growth.

While Smart Rwanda serves as the strategic framework, ongoing projects such as the Digital Acceleration Project, Kigali Innovation City (KIC) and the Electricity Access Rollout Program (EARP) demonstrate how Rwanda operationalizes this vision to uplift rural communities and empower youth and women.

Bringing Power to Classrooms and Rural Villages

Through the EARP, Rwanda’s Ministry of Infrastructure aims to electrify nearly 1,000 rural primary schools with off-grid solar power systems by the end of 2025. These installations provide lighting, laptop charging and digital tools that extend study hours and improve learning outcomes in remote regions.

Through public-private partnerships, Rwanda also expanded solar mini-grids to more than 45 villages in the Bugesera District. MeshPower, a key stakeholder, delivers reliable electricity to households and small enterprises. Locals report that access to power has doubled family incomes and created jobs by enabling new economic activities like phone charging stations and tailoring shops.

Expanding Clean Cooking Solutions and Green Model Villages

In partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and HomeBiogas, more than 500 Rwamagana and Ngoma Districts households installed biogas digesters. These convert organic waste into clean cooking fuel, reducing firewood use by about 80%. This improvement enhances indoor air quality, reduces respiratory illnesses and saves women and children hours previously spent collecting firewood.

Rwanda scaled its Green Model Village program by upgrading several villages with off-grid solar power systems. These provide reliable electricity and rainwater harvesting installations that ensure year-round clean water access. Furthermore, they provide improve sanitation facilities, eco-friendly toilets and newly built or renovated health posts offering essential medical services. These targeted improvements enable schools to extend learning hours with electricity, reduce waterborne diseases through better hygiene and create local jobs by supporting small-scale agriculture and clean energy enterprises.

Accelerating Electricity Access and Digital Transformation 

Rwanda has rapidly increased electricity access from 6% in 2009 to 75% in 2024 through the EARP. The government leads this effort with strong institutional support from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Rwanda Energy Group and the Development Bank of Rwanda. With more than $1.4 billion in funding, around $750 million from the World Bank, the program combines grid and off-grid solutions to reach underserved areas. Performance contracts ensure accountability as Rwanda moves toward universal electricity access.

Rwanda’s $200 million Digital Acceleration Project, running from 2022 through 2026, further advances Smart Rwanda’s vision. By July 2025, the project reached 55% completion, expanding broadband infrastructure, improving digital public services and fostering innovation ecosystems. This initiative enhances connectivity in rural and urban areas, empowering citizens and businesses to participate in the digital economy.

Building KIC

KIC is a flagship Smart Rwanda project focused on transforming Rwanda into a regional technology and knowledge hub. In May 2024, the Government of Rwanda signed an implementation agreement with the Rwanda Development Board and Africa50 to accelerate KIC’s development. The 61-hectare smart city aims to host universities, research institutions, technology companies and innovation hubs, creating jobs and fostering entrepreneurship for young Rwandans.

Supporting Women and Youth

Smart Rwanda prioritizes gender equality and youth empowerment through targeted skills training and entrepreneurship programs. The World Bank’s $200 million Priority Skills for Growth and Youth Empowerment initiative benefits more than 200,000 young people. The initiative provides young women with market-ready skills and improves access to education.

Projects like Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture generate thousands of jobs and increase female participation in economic activities, aligning closely with Smart Rwanda’s inclusive growth objectives.

A Scalable Model for Rural Development

The Smart Rwanda Master Plan unites infrastructure, digital innovation, energy, education, health and social services into one coordinated framework. The government collaborates closely with international partners, technology providers and communities to ensure that development benefits reach all citizens.

By advancing this master plan, Rwanda offers a replicable blueprint for other countries seeking sustainable and inclusive rural poverty reduction. The continued implementation of Smart Rwanda initiatives in 2025 shows that thoughtful planning and multi-sector collaboration can effectively combat poverty and foster long-term prosperity.

– Kelsey Eisen

Kelsey is based in San Francisco, CA, USA and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Updates on SDG 6 in Brazil

SDG 6 in BrazilThe United Nations General Assembly issued the Sustainable Development Plan in September 2015 with Sustainable Development Goal 1 being to “end poverty in all its forms everywhere.” The organization aims to assist nations worldwide in the fight against poverty. Brazil, the largest nation in South America, has been significantly influenced by limited access to essential resources like electrical energy that has contributed to the welfare of millions of people. When adult unemployment is taken into account, productivity drops to 33%. This implies that 67% of the country’s potential is missing. To stabilize Brazil’s economy and help its citizens, creative concepts and clear policies are essential in addressing issues like energy poverty and limited access to clean water. Here is information about poverty and efforts to address SDG 6 in Brazil, which is to provide adequate water and sanitation.

Poverty in Brazil

Brazilian poverty is a lasting issue with deep historical roots. The country’s population consists of of 205.3 million people. Despite being one of the largest sights in the world, Brazil’s huge income inequities have left much of its population in poverty. Low accessibility of healthcare and education are factors that explain its widespread levels of poverty. Even if poverty rates vary over time, there are millions of Brazilians who continue to live below the poverty line every day, just trying to meet minimum standards of decent food, housing and personal healthcare. Eradicating poverty in Brazil requires strategy to drive inclusive growth and humanitarian services. Some groups like Afro-Brazilians have limited accessibility in applying to schools and health clinics. Females are prone to discrimination in the working system. As a result, some people are attempting to resolve these issues in Brazil. 

Active Measures To Address Energy Poverty

Within the Paraguay-Brazil region, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) joined Itaipu Bi-National in promoting water and energy resource preservation. To further advance Brazil’s agenda towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, the partnership designed a 2030 vision board.

Energy poverty is a very critical problem in Brazil, where a significant number of people have historically lacked access to electricity. Inadequate, reliable energy slows economic development, limits educational achievement and impacts the overall quality of life, particularly in rural and poor communities.

The partnership established sustainable energy solutions in an attempt to build a stronger foundation on better collaboration and speech dialogues to discuss energy connectivity. The plan is also to find any fundamental barriers or obstacles in the incorporation of these sustainability goals. Less helping hands discourages the development of home-based businesses and minimizes access to communication and data technologies, leading to a constant poverty cycle. However, with this partnership, the results should play out in the country’s favor.

The Necessity of Addressing SDG 6 in Brazil

Limited clean water is yet another significant challenge for people in Brazil. Lack of adequate infrastructure, pollution by industry and agriculture and climate change impacts are among the reasons for limited water and water pollution. With no clean sources of water, waterborne disease is more likely to occur, impacting productivity. In 2022, 23.9% of Brazilian citizens endured irregular water stock. One of the most shocking events Brazil experienced was Rio Grande do Sul’s floods in 2024 where several officials reported 54 confirmed cases of waterborne diseases or leptospirosis, causing four sudden deaths. Women and children are more likely to bear the bulk of water collection responsibilities, once again keeping them away from education. Water management improvement and access to clean water programs are critical to Brazilian society’s health and sustainable development.

The Agua Limpa Project

United Nations environmental activist and philanthropist Gisele Bündchen has contributed positively to Brazil through sustainable development of the Agua Limpa Project (Clean Water Project). In 2004, a passionate, nature-driven Bündchen visited the Xingu area of Brazil. As an eyewitness to river pollution, she has pushed for an end to ecological degradation. The project began in 2008, co-founded with Bundchen’s family, and they planted more than 40,000 trees near streams. She oversaw the country’s water quality when managing wildlife’s restoration. Bündchen’s work as a UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador in Kenya is another noteworthy aspect of her career. Her influence even extends beyond the publishing of her works, including the New York Times bestseller “Lesson: My Path to a Meaningful Life.” She shares her life experiences from exploring Brazilian lands and how it shaped her mind.

The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation

Sustainability resources have also been accompanied by Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, whose advocacy stands for nations like Brazil, in which they seek available natural resources. DiCaprio promotes conservation efforts through his Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation established in 1998. The organization has supported at least 100 and more special projects in 50 countries and has achieved success in increasing international funding for environmental causes, wildland protection, and ocean conservation. The foundation has offered funding grants worth $20 million to around 100 communities fighting for environmental issues like changing weather patterns.

While DiCaprio’s efforts are dedicated to big-time environmental preservation and changing weather, he also spoke out for poverty reduction through the conservation of natural resources upon which most communities base their primary livelihood. For instance, his foundation supports projects that protect forests, whose role in the livelihoods in Brazil  is significant. As of today his foundation continues to conduct additional research on specific projects in Brazil that would provide a lasting contribution to poverty alleviation in the nation. 

Looking Ahead

Ending poverty and addressing SDG 6 in Brazil requires a special approach that includes promoting access to clean energy, natural resource management and promoting collaborative work between international agencies, governments, and individuals. Initiatives like the UN DESA partnership, Brazil’s development in biofuel and hydropower and the ongoing activism by Giselle Bundchen and Leonardo DiCaprio all play a crucial role in driving Brazil towards an equitable future. 

– Janae Bayford

Janae is based in Centennial, CO, USA and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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The SEI’s Women in Solar Power Program

Women in Solar PowerAccess to sustainable energy isn’t just about electricity—it’s about opportunity. In many developing nations, women face economic exclusion due to gender barriers in technical industries. The Solar Energy International’s (SEI) Women in Solar Power Program is changing that by providing women with the skills and training needed to enter the rapidly growing solar energy sector.

Through hands-on education, mentorship and job placement assistance, this initiative empowers women to achieve financial independence while expanding access to clean energy in underserved communities. By breaking down barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field, the program proves that renewable energy can be a powerful tool for poverty reduction and gender equality.

Gender Gaps in Energy and Employment

Women hold 40% of full-time jobs in the solar workforce, while men hold the other 60%. In comparison, that is still higher than 21% of women in wind energy and 22% in oil and gas, highlighting women at a disparity in the solar energy industry.

Getting training, either before or on the job, is often harder. Access to social networks is essential in high-tech industries, yet women have historically been excluded from these networks. A lack of independence is a key reason many women remain in poverty.

In countries like India, Uruguay and Brazil, where solar industries are rapidly growing, providing women with job opportunities is the first step toward empowerment.

The Women in Solar Power Program

SEI is a nonprofit organization founded in 1991 to eliminate barriers to training for people interested in working in solar energy. It offers various resources, such as hands-on training with instructors, online courses to prepare for a new job or even custom programs in solar education. The organization has trained more than 100,000 solar professionals since its founding. Additionally, 10% of the global solar workforce has worked with the foundation in a capacity.

The SEI’s Women in Solar Power Program is designed to empower women by providing technical training in solar energy. Offering women real field-specific experience, it holds specialized workshops like the “Women’s Solar Electric Lab Week (Grid-Direct).” SEI also provides scholarships like the “SOLV Energy scholarship,” helping women access solar education.

Impact on Women’s Economic Empowerment

The program has connected more than 450 women worldwide in the last two years with solar energy training and resources, giving them usable long-term career skills. Similarly, SEI has granted 132 scholarships since 2022, which have broken barriers to entry into the solar workforce and helped women keep their jobs for a long time.

Not only do participants in the program gain tangible skills, but they gain the confidence to enter the workforce as equals to men. Women gain the ability to become role models in their community, gaining long-term financial stability through one of the world’s fastest-growing industries.

Broader Clean Energy Access

The Women in Solar Power Program demonstrates that investing in women’s technical training is a powerful way to fight poverty and expand access to clean energy. By equipping women with the tools to thrive in the renewable energy sector, the program empowers individuals and strengthens entire communities. As the world transitions to more sustainable solutions, ensuring women are part of the movement is essential – not just for gender equality but for building a more resilient and inclusive future.

– Divya Beeram

Divya is based in San Antonio, Texas, USA and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Repurposed EV Batteries: A New Solution to Poverty in India

Poverty in IndiaThe current population of India makes up almost 18% of the world’s total population. Consequently, India’s poverty rates significantly influence global poverty rates. Between the years 2011-2019, India has made substantial strides to reduce its poverty rates. Indeed, urban poverty has been reduced from 14.2% to 6.3%. Furthermore, in rural areas, the decline was from 26.3% to 11.6%.

This news deserves to be heralded as hundreds of millions of people have risen out of poverty. However, there is still much work to do, particularly in rural areas. Estimating rural poverty using 2019 poverty rates and 2020 data shows that about 105 million people in rural India still subsist on less than $2.15 a day.

Rural Poverty in India

Rural poverty in India contributes to high crime rates, low educational attainment, limited job opportunities and poor prospects for escaping poverty. It also restricts access to quality health care, leading to issues such as malnutrition and high infant mortality rates. According to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India will be a “developed” nation by 2047 after leading the green revolution and excelling in technology, which will ultimately boost the country’s economy. A thriving economy is one thing, but this goal requires proper consideration of the poorest people in rural India. Therefore, more needs to be done to lift rural areas out of poverty in India.

Repurposing EV Batteries

An example of alleviating poverty in India involves repurposing old electric vehicle (EV) batteries to improve manual work efficiency. According to AP News, Nunam, an energy storage company, provided six women in Kenchanahalli with a repurposed EV battery. Previously, they relied on an unstable electrical grid for their tailoring tasks. The women resorted to hand stitching during outages, which often made it impossible to complete orders on time.

AP News reports that these women’s lives have dramatically transformed in the four years since this effective energy source was provided because they are now able to work fewer hours and receive a more consistent wage. Additionally, by reusing these batteries, millions of tonnes of waste that this cleaner-than-fossil-fuels energy source would have produced are avoided.

India has set the ambitious goal of producing 500 gigawatts of clean energy by 2030. The aim is to make the country a global hub for the manufacturing of renewable energy sources like solar. However, it has been reported that India could produce an estimated 340 kilotons of solar power-related waste by 2030.

Upscaling Nunam operations can utilize EV batteries that are no longer suitable for storing solar power into batteries that enhance efficiency in labor-intensive jobs, thereby helping to reduce poverty in rural India. This company’s primary business is reengineering these batteries to give rural Indian towns backup power. Recently, Nunam has experienced an enormous spike in orders, yet there remains a vast untapped potential.

Future Outlook

On a national scale, this effort has significant economic and environmental potential. It can assist in strengthening the economy by lowering dependency on imports such as lithium. Upscaling these processes will create new jobs in the reengineering of these batteries. This type of activity can advance education in rural areas by requiring local technicians with higher levels of expertise. Expanding these initiatives at the regional level will also empower small businesses, like the women in Kenchanahalli, thereby improving living conditions in these rural communities.

Furthermore, since India is at the forefront of green energy, this project could help propel it into a “developed country status.” This can be accomplished by not only prevailing in the global clean energy manufacturing market but also having a well-thought-out recycling strategy that empowers the most impoverished communities from the bottom up. This dual solution that promotes clean energy and empowers India’s poor has vast potential to bridge the gap between urban and rural poverty rates by tackling poverty at its roots.

– William Pickering

William is based in Nottingham, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Renewable Energy in Mauritania

Renewable Energy in MauritaniaThe consequences of natural disasters can exacerbate poverty, yet poverty alleviation efforts, such as economic development and industrialization, can also have negative environmental impacts. However, in Mauritania, a coastal country along the Sahel strip, the transition towards green economies presents unique opportunities. The Mauritanian government, under the 2016-2030 Accelerated Growth and Shared Prosperity Strategy, aims to enhance the energy sector, with a strong focus on renewable energy. Bilateral agreements and international aid initiatives support this effort. Both domestic and global actors recognize the pertinence of renewable energy in Mauritania for development.

Conditions in Mauritania

Monetary poverty in Mauritania is falling. In 2023, according to the UNDP, 6.5% of the population lives below the income poverty line. However, the UNDP also reports that the nation’s standard of living indicators are lower than in similar economies. Electricity access, for example, is low for rural populations at 4%.

Mauritania is chiefly a “traditional subsistence economy,” with agriculture and livestock raising being its largest sector. Mining and fishing are the nation’s major exports. At the same time, Mauritania has remarkable potential for renewable energy production. Straddling both the Sahara desert and the Atlantic Ocean, the nation has more than 700,000 square kilometres of space for solar and wind energy generation. The nation is leveraging this potential for development and economic growth.

Opportunities for Development

Renewable energy technology is offering new opportunities for development initiatives. One example is solar energy-powered water drilling, which has been effective in expanding access to clean water in Mauritania’s most isolated communities. UNICEF, which supports the initiative, has found solar energy to be the most cost-effective power source when compared to other, non-renewable sources. As of 2018, solar energy supplies the majority of drinking water drills, a rise to 60% from 20% in 2015.

Investments in renewable energy in Mauritania have also expanded the power grid capacity of the nation. More than 40% of the country’s energy is now generated from renewable sources, according to the International Trade Administration (ITA). This effort is continuing to grow, with $289.5 million invested in two projects to increase solar energy production and connectivity, both to rural regions and neighboring nations.

Center of International Cooperation

Export potential has made the renewable energy sector a focus for international cooperation. Under its Power Africa initiative, USAID has worked with the nation to increase electricity connection, including helping create 8,436 solar lamp connections. The development of renewable energy production and technologies has also been a key area of interest for the ITA as well as the U.S. Department of Energy. The latter signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the COP28 to support Mauritanian clean energy technologies and low-carbon exports including steel and green hydrogen.

Green hydrogen in particular is at the forefront of clean energy development, piquing the interest of large energy firms. With this, the nation has signed four MoUs with multinational energy corporations for green hydrogen production and development, including one with CWP Global to create the largest green hydrogen production facility in the world, according to ITA.

Much of the pledged development remains in the early stages, although the growing share of renewables in Mauritania’s energy supply is promising. Renewable energy in Mauritania and green hydrogen, in particular, presents opportunities to add value to the nation’s exports and economy, as well as efforts to elevate standards of living. As the world begins to transition to green economies, Mauritania represents a nation where this effort and economic development intersect.

– Imme Koolenbrander

Imme is based in Beijing, China and focuses on Business and Technologyfor The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons