FOCUS: WOMEN AND LIVELIHOODS

Project: Extension of Technical Training Of Women in Household Stove Construction and Pilot Training in Charcoal Making from waste biomass

Project Duration: May 2004 to August 2006

Project Support: ETC, Netherlands

Project Objectives 

This two-year project commenced in May 2004 and has the objectives of 

• Creation of job opportunities for rural women through training activities 
• Introduction of clean energy technologies in rural / urban areas and 
• Improvement of health of women (users of these clean technologies)

Expected Outputs 

• 30 women (15 groups of two women each) trained in technical and market related aspects of stove construction and generating incomes in addition to their conventional livelihood of agricultural labour 
• 5 women trained as trainers and 
• 4 women entrepreneurs (two groups of two women each) would be trained in technical and market related aspects of charcoal making.

The project has shown the way in pioneering a women conceived, lead and implemented project in un subsidized household stove dissemination. The strategy adopted by the project is fast gaining acceptance by other agencies engaged or interested in household energy issues. The master trainers are getting orders to train other women in household stove construction from government schemes like the Integrated Rural Energy Project, Govt. of Karnataka. 

TIDE has field data showing that more than 2000 stoves have been constructed by women in the past two years and they have collectively earned an income of over Rs 1 lakh from stove construction. More than 90% of the stoves constructed are in use and fuel saving of about 25% is reported. TIDE has worked with rural based NGOs in this activity and the skills are completely transferred to local communities.

Very innovative methods of promotion of stove building by women has been conducted in the project and the results are well documented. The project documentation comprises a 30 minute film, a case study of a women stove builder, process documentation, stove construction manual, a master trainers manual and a paper published in IREDA news on the activities