Build Back Stronger
Building truly sustainable and resilient communities using affordable renewable energy.
Written by Savitha Sridharan
What problem does the idea help to solve and how does your solution work? (2,000 characters maximum)
Geography of focus (500 characters)
In regions globally, where populations are impacted by global-warming, a number of families have suffered from extreme tropical weather conditions - increasing temperatures, uneven distribution and variability of rainfall, with drought increasing. Many communities also get affected by floods and hurricanes every year. Families need several basic needs during recovery and rehabilitation from climate change. We are building the first community in Trichy, South IndiaBuilding Bridges: What bridge does your idea build between people on the move and neighbors towards a shared future of stability and promise? (500 characters)
Our approach involves adopting a community affected by disaster and rebuilding the ecosystem by building a community center which is fully powered by renewable energy. The solar center will serve as a community skill development center to train local women and youth about renewable energy who will then earn their livelihood working at the community center producing solar products. The trained solar technicians can work at the center to produce solar solutions to light up their own communities.What human need is your idea solving for? (1,000 characters)
In addition to unreliable access to electricity, a number of communities, women in particular, have suffered from extreme tropical weather conditions - increasing temperatures, uneven distribution and variability of rainfall, forest fires, with drought increasing. Many communities also get affected by floods and hurricanes every year. Women are isolated from their families. Climate change is leading to shifts in livelihood patterns resulting in men migrating away from the communities to find alternative employment leaving the women back in the community to take care of their respective families with no opportunity to earn locally. Children are under the responsibility of the mother and are more vulnerable to chemicals, contaminated water and organisms they are exposed to in the environment. To help tackle the effects of climate change locally and have a more inclusive community, it is important to create a safe space for women to work and connect in their communities.What will be different within the community of focus as a result of implementing your idea? (1,000 characters)
The impact stories of the women that were supported through this program were beyond solar. You can read more about the impact stories here! (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u9dekdHl6jBJxU-TyBDQGnXkfxzYAM5q/view)What is the inspiration behind your idea? (1,000 characters)
We tried this as an experiment where we hired a group of 30 fearless rural women from South India in January 2018. The project trained women from all-skill levels on various aspects of renewable energy, including producing, assembling, installing, testing, servicing, marketing, and recycling. The trainees were paid during the eight-month training period so that they will not be forced to go find alternate jobs for livelihood. The impact stories of the women that were supported through this program were beyond solar. Today, the women are ready to produce solar products required to meet the energy demands of their own community. Orora’s production team of 30 fearless women are now ready to pay-it-forward to help train and equip many more women (impacted by climate change and natural disasters) with necessary skills and tools to become financially independent. This is an important step in achieving triple bottom line sustainabilityDescribe the dynamics of the community in which the idea is to be implemented. (1,000 characters)
In addition to unreliable access to electricity, a number of communities, women in particular, have suffered from extreme tropical weather conditions - increasing temperatures, uneven distribution and variability of rainfall, forest fires, with drought increasing. Many communities also get affected by floods and hurricanes every year. Women are isolated from their families. Climate change is leading to shifts in livelihood patterns resulting in men migrating away from the communities to find alternative employment leaving the women back in the community to take care of their respective families with no opportunity to earn locally. Children are under the responsibility of the mother and are more vulnerable to chemicals, contaminated water and organisms they are exposed to in the environment. To help tackle the effects of climate change locally and have a more inclusive community, it is important to create a safe space for women to work and connect in their communities.How does your idea leverage and empower community strengths and assets to help create an environment for success? (1,000 characters)
What other partners or stakeholders will work alongside you in implementing the idea, if any? (1,000 characters)
Service and Education for Village Improvement and Action (SEVAI), a local non profit in India. You can learn more about them on http://www.sevaingo.in/What part of the displacement journey is your solution addressing
- Arriving and settling at a destination community
Tell us how you'd describe the type of innovation you are proposing
- Technology-enabled: Existing approach is more effective or scalable with the addition of technology
Idea Proposal Stage
- Early Adoption: We have completed a pilot and analyzed the impact of that pilot on the intended users of the idea. I have proof of user uptake (i.e. 16% to 49% of the target population or 1,000 to 50,000 users).
Group or Organization Name
Orora Global, IncTell us more about your group or organization [or lived experience as a displaced person?] (1000 characters)
We are a social enterprise that builds truly sustainable communities using affordable renewable energy. Our programs are co-designed with the communities to bring more opportunities to women and youth in partnership with local grassroots organizations that work with the community. Clean technology provides necessary platform to develop innovative solutions for education, healthcare, telecom, water, and more, impacting the triple bottom line sustainability.Website URL:
www.ororaglobal.comType of submitter
- We are a For-Profit Startup or Startup Social Enterprise
Organization Headquarters: Country
United States, IndiaOrganization Headquarters: City / State
Boston (MA), Durham (NC)Written by
Team (2)
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