Improving access to infrastructure services
Practical Action Southern Africa
Disadvantaged people are often excluded from essential and decentralised infrastructure service provision such as water, sanitation, energy, education and shelter.
Our work aims to improve the access of poor women and men to locally-managed services, by developing and disseminating:
- Technology that improves access to locally-managed water and sanitation
- Housing technologies and access to adequate shelter and secure tenure
- Modern, clean sustainable energy services (including cooking technologies)
- Technologies for solid waste management
- Information on improving the access of poor people to the resources, support and infrastructure they need to build their livelihoods.
Poor people's energy outlook 2013
The third edition of the PPEO series focuses on energy for community services. This report builds on our evidence base and our call for Total Energy Access by focusing on vital community services. It brings to life the experiences of people living in energy poverty in countries with varying geographical, environmental and development contexts such as Bolivia, Bangladesh and Rwanda. It places the spotlight on the contribution that improved energy access can make to health, education and infrastructure services such as water and street lighting.
Current projects
Completed projects
The following projects have now completed, but are included here for reference and learning.
Energising the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) – Setting the Enabling Environment (E-MINDSET)
Energy plays a crucial role in sustainable development and poverty reduction efforts. It affects all aspects of development; social, economic, and environmental, including livelihoods, access to water, agricultural productivity, health, education, and gender-related issues. Whilst improved access to modern energy services is crucial for the overall socio-economic development of the region, lack of local knowledge and skills in the area of energy planning has severely constrained the development of local energy initiatives with a focus on poverty reduction.
GENEZ - Gender and Energy Network of Zimbabwe
Gender and Energy Network of Zimbabwe (GENEZ) is a networking initiative which intends to engender energy access issues and intends to empower women by bridging the gap between men and women on issues of energy.