Renewable Energy Service & Products as an Opportunity in National and Displaced (RESPOND) Markets of Kigoma Region is a 2-year GIZ funded project.

RESPOND's main objective is to improve the use of sustainable energy by refugees and surrounding communities in the Kigoma region in Northwest Tanzania. The project will run from June 2018 to December 2020.

Improving access to quality clean cooking and solar energy options to these communities reduces the extremely high pressure on the limited firewood resources and contributes to improving the living conditions in the project's region.

Cooking activity area

RESPOND trains cookstove producers with a focus on technical stove design and production as well as marketing and business skills. The project also partners with UNHCR and camp management groups to increase access to improved cookstoves within the refugee camps.

Solar activity area

RESPOND supports the acceleration of the market for high-quality solar products by incentivizing solar companies to expand their operations in Kigoma Region and make linkages to both refugee and host communities.

Forestry activity area

RESPOND identifies opportunities for host community households to develop woodfuel lots on their property and delivers training on woodfuel lot establishment, maintenance, harvesting and business development. The project partners with UNHCR and camp management groups to extend additional support to woodfuel lot efforts inside the refugee camps

Objectives

1. Distribution and Promotion of Improved Stoves & Cooking Practices

2. Access to High Quality Solar Energy Products & Services

3. Alternative Reforestation Practices alleviating reliance on traditional biomass