Eco-Wake

Restore ecosystems and biodiversity through promoting sustainable energy solutions and alternative livelihoods among then peri-uban communities. Project specific interventions include empowering communities through a micro- financing module that help local SMEs secure biogas digesters, help households acquire domestic solar energy utilities and support sustainable agri- business initiatives with a coordinated value addition marketing scheme. The initiative will contribute towards ecosystem and biodiversity restoration and help sustain livelihoods for the vast rural populations who suffer the negative consequences as due to biodiversity loss and climate change threats

Biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation undermines the supply of ecosystem services vital for Climate Change adaptation and mitigation. The planets biodiversity is threatened as it continues to decline at an alarming rate mainly due to human activities, such as land use changes and pollution. It has direct human health impacts from un met social needs and indirectly affects livelihoods, income, local migration and, on occasion, may even cause or exacerbate political conflict. The Convention on Biological Diversity recommends for the sustainable use of biodiversity to achieve sound conservation practice. This is hampered due to; Lack of appropriate policies and programmes for Sustainable management and use of natural resources and the rampant inequity in the sharing of benefits arising use. The advancement of technology world over has also contributed to the rampant inequity in the sharing of benefits arising from use of biodiversity. The powerful social segments, more especially those from urban areas, have access to natural resources from wide catchment, suffering fewer negative consequences of environmental degradation and erosion of biodiversity. Instead the ones who suffer the negative consequences are the communities who live in the areas affected. Rural population in Zambia was reported at 55.93 % in 2019

We aim to provide solutions for alternative energy and sustainable livelihood among the peri-urban and rural communities in Zambia. Wood based charcoal accounts for above 90% as primary source of energy while above 50% of the hydro-power electricity generated is consumed by the private mining companies and urban populations. New government policy recommends for alternative energy sources such as solar and biogas, the adoption and uptake remains low due to the low investment opportunities from the sector players resulting in high cost of purchase and installation especially among the majority low income populations in the rural areas. Eco-Wake is proposing an inclusive service delivery approach that aims to empower the Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) and rural households through a credit savings and micro-financing scheme that will provide start-up capital to purchase and distribute the Bio-gas digesters and solar energy equipment to the target populations. The initiative will be sustained through other vertical scale up initiatives that build local capacities in identifying and implementing alternative livelihood opportunities through engagement in value addition agri-business, Apiculture and bee keeping. Biogas-based technology involves processes of waste management and turning Organic waste and sewage to energy, with Environmental Benefits.  

The majority of the rural populations in sub-Sahara Africa largely depend on Biological resources to support livelihoods. They are the most affected ones who suffer the negative consequences resulting from biodiversity loss. Rural population (% of total population) in Zambia was reported at 55.93 % in 2019. While they occupy the vast habitant catchment areas, they benefit less from the biodiversity resources due to rampant inequality and technology lags when compared to those in the urban areas.They are largely underserved with limited access to sustainable energy and livelihood options. Government and stakeholders are working closely to bridge the inequality gaps through implementation of sound policies and programmes in line with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) goals that aim to conservation biological diversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources.Our  approach is tailored to compliment the CBD goals through innovative social impact opportunities that improve renewable energy access and promote alternative livelihood options to the majority pri-urban and rural populations and business enterprises in Zambia. Our innovation ensures participatory engagement and capacity building process for the marginalised and underserved entities.  

The peri-urban and rural populations are the most underserved with few having access to electricity energy from the main grid. They heavily rely on unsustainable energy sources from timber and wood exploited from the local forests and thus contribute to deforestation and biodiversity loss. Our solution is well aligned in providing alternative and affordable energy sources while helping build capacities of the communities to engage in sustainable exploitation of their resources through alternative livelihood sources.

The pilot phase is proposed to take effect in Serenje district. This is a rural district in Central province of Zambia with special land and economic characteristics. It has a population of slightly above 200,00. A significant proportion of the area is protected forest and the Kasaka National Park. Main economic activities of the local population are agriculture that is practiced at both subsistence and semi commercial. Our Bio gas and solar products will target semi commercial farmers, tourist operators and household around the district. Other products include financing and capacity building in alternative livelihoods and value addition agri-business initiatives for local cooperatives and individuals.

Demand for energy is ever increasing due to the expanding economic activities in various sectors. Shifting government policy in financing and supporting private sector players provides huge opportunities for businesses in the energy sector. Our approach is ideal for testing alternative and co-friendly energy sources that are known and can be easily adopted by local communities. Off grid energy sources are easily accessible especially to the rural communities that have limited infrastructure and resources. This will have significant positive impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity restoration that is heavily exploited through unsustainable use of the genetic resources.

Seeking funding opptunities to pilot and scale up the initiative

Our project goal is within the Resilient Ecosystems Challenges.