Efficiency for Access

In the lead-up to this year's International Women's Day, we're revisiting the Efficiency for Access research that underlines the urgent need to #AccelerateAction for gender equality. Access to renewable energy solutions—like solar water pumps, mills, and refrigerators— can transform women's lives by reducing labor-intensive tasks and unlocking new economic opportunities, giving women more time and means to pursue their dreams. Yet, despite these benefits, gender barriers remain, limiting women’s full participation in the renewable energy sector. A just energy transition must include solutions designed with women in mind—because when women thrive, communities and economies do too. Get our research: https://bit.ly/3SuFngv #IWD2025 #AccelerateAction

FINAL REMINDER: Invitation to Tender – Deadline this Thursday! Time is running out to apply for Energy Saving Trust's consultancy opportunity to evaluate the impact of early-stage grants and technical assistance on Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE) companies. This is your chance to contribute valuable insights that will help grant providers, donors, and investors improve funding strategies, and drive sustainable growth in agro-processing, cooling, and irrigation sectors. Deadline: Thursday, 6 March Don’t miss out, submit your proposal now: https://bit.ly/40QhvbM Transforming Energy Access IKEA Foundation #InvitationToTender #Sustainability #ImpactEvaluation #PUREappliances #RenewableEnergy

Kicking off #IWD2025 Week with Efficiency for Access! This #InternationalWomensDay, we’re celebrating women at the forefront of innovation in the off- and weak-grid appliance sector. With this year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, we’re spotlighting women and projects making a tangible impact in #CleanEnergyAccess every day this week. First up we have our Research and Development Fund grantee, Agsol, and its solar-powered MicroMill, a technology making a real difference for women in rural communities. Traditionally, women in Kenya spend hours travelling long distances to diesel mills. Agsol’s clean energy solution brings efficient milling closer to home, helping to reduce labour and improve livelihoods. Read more about Agsol’s impacts in the full report: https://bit.ly/3BDAa0z #EfficiencyForAccessRDFund #WomenInEnergy #SustainableDevelopment Transforming Energy Access IKEA Foundation Energy Saving Trust

Invitation to Tender: Apply by 6 March! Are you a consultant in #CleanEnergyAccess? Don’t miss the opportunity to join Energy Saving Trust in a project evaluating how early-stage grants and technical assistance impact the growth and sustainability of Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE) companies. Your insights could help shape better funding strategies for companies in sectors such as agro-processing, cooling, and irrigation, driving sustainable growth and impact. Submit your proposal before Thursday 6 March: https://bit.ly/40QhvbM #InvitationToTender #Sustainability #ImpactEvaluation #PUREappliances #RenewableEnergy

Did you know that around 14% of food is lost in the supply chain? Food waste accounts for 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet one in ten people globally remains malnourished. Innovative, energy-efficient cold storage technologies can reduce food loss, improve food security, and protect our planet. Revisit our trend brief, “Keep it Cool: Harnessing Cold Storage to Reduce Food Loss & Support Sustainable Food Systems in Emerging Economies,” to learn how these technologies can revolutionize how we preserve food! https://bit.ly/41eI0qb

🔍 Prototyping explained: developing designs into working creations 🔍 The prototyping phase is an important part of the Efficiency for Access Design Challenge, where innovative ideas begin to take shape. This stage allows student teams to apply for IKEA Foundation funding to build prototypes of their designs. Prototyping allows participants to test their concepts and identify challenges, ensuring their designs for sustainable energy solutions for low to middle income countries are practical and impactful. It’s where creativity meets real-world application! 📽️ Find out how students navigate the prototyping process and bring their innovations to life! #Prototyping #CleanEnergy #SustainableDesign #StudentInnovation #IKEAFoundation Energy Saving Trust CLASP Transforming Energy Access Engineers Without Borders UK Kalasalingam University Gulu University (GU) University of Zimbabwe

Funding opportunity from EEP Africa!    Are you a company promoting #CleanEnergyAccess in Southern or Eastern Africa? Looking for funding to scale your next big innovation?    EEP Africa is offering risk-tolerant early-stage grant financing for locally driven innovative clean energy projects, technologies, and business models. Beyond funding, selected projects will benefit from technical support, investment facilitation and knowledge sharing.    Deadline for applications: 21 March 2025 at 2:00pm EAT    Submit your proposal: https://lnkd.in/dYHq6G-g    #EEPAfrica #CleanEnergy #FundingOpportunity 

Best of luck to Emmastella Gakuo, co-founder and COO of our Research and Development Fund grantee Savanna Circuit , as she showcases solar-powered cold chain solutions at #SankalpAfrica2025!    We’re eager to hear deeper insights on the SOLAR THRIVE project, and her experiences as a visionary woman entrepreneur at the Female Founder Showcase.    When: 1:30pm - 3:00pm EAT 27 February 2025     Register now: https://lnkd.in/gq6_ypGn    Transforming Energy Access IKEA Foundation    #EfficiencyforAccessRDFund #CleanEnergyAccess #SankalpAfrica2025 #SolarEnergy #Innovation #SustainableCooling #FoodSecurity #WomenInBusiness 

Help Improve Early-Stage Support for Energy Access Companies! Energy Saving Trust is inviting consultancy proposals to assess the impact of early-stage grants and technical assistance on Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE) companies. These companies operate in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, supporting livelihoods and economic growth. The research will provide critical insights to help grant providers, donors, and investors strengthen funding strategies. It will focus on key sectors like agro-processing, cooling, and irrigation, helping smaller companies scale and thrive. Deadline: Thursday, 6 March Apply now: https://bit.ly/40QhvbM Transforming Energy Access IKEA Foundation #InvitationToTender #Sustainability #ImpactEvaluation #PUREappliances #RenewableEnergy

Great to see our R&D Fund grantee Tushar Devidayal, founder and CEO of Devidayal Solar Solutions Pvt. Ltd. creating real impact with PAYGo solar refrigerators with our support.      For small businesses and shopkeepers in off- and weak- grid regions like Raigad, Maharashtra, reliable and affordable cooling can be a true game-changer. Thanks to Devidayal’s 250L solar fridge, dairy, food and drinks will stay cool and fresh for longer, helping to ensure steady and sustainable business and income.     Sustainable cooling empowering entrepreneurs, increasing incomes and lifting livelihoods. We’re proud to support such inspiring innovation.     We’d also like to thank Transforming Energy Access and IKEA Foundation for funding the Efficiency for Access Research and Development Fund, managed by Energy Saving Trust.    #EfficiencyforAccessRDFund #CleanEnergyAccess #DDSolar #SolarEnergy #Livelihoods #SolarRefrigeration #SustainableBusiness #Innovation #PayGo