Interface Foundation is a Civil Society Organization undertaking development initiatives to positively impact the lives and improve the quality of living of the marginalized and excluded sections of the society prioritizing women and children. It works on themes of governance, people's participation, empowerment and Institutional building. Interface realised the role of energy in meeting women's practical and productive needs such as cooking, food processing and income generating activities. Advocating for the reduction of indoor air pollution and usage of clean fuels and demonstrating the commercially viable options are part of our women's empowerment programs.
Contact Information
Our Inititives are primarily focused on rural and peri-urban areas of India. We are targetting peri-urban populations.
Our Experience And Interest In The Four PCIA Central Focus Areas
Lack of awareness amongst the poor about the economics of using traditional fuels and their impact on family's health. Unavailability of clean fuels (kerosene, LPG) in rural areas Unavailability of effective support services/spare part replacements for improved cooking technologies.
Energy planners have usually equated women's interest in energy with cooking to the exclusion of other needs, particularly, needs related to productive activities and emancipatory goals. If women are adequately empowered to make choices about improved cooking technologies both as living and livelihood options, there would be a viable mareket for improved and clean cooking technologies.
There are a few technologies like improved chulhas (stoves) and biogas digesters which are widely prevalent in India. But the poor have lost interest in these technologies as they are lacking adequate support services and spare part replacements. Furthermore, there is a need to develop a cadre of technicians amongst women or youth in rural areas in order to maintain these facilities effectively.
The women and children in rural settings are the ones mostly exposed to indoor air pollution. Around 30% of the rural population in India suffers from respiratory disorders caused by inhaling smoke from burning biomass fuels during cooking. Usually, there is no mechanism in place to monitor the indoor air pollution caused by cooking smoke.
Relevant Publications or Studies
We have 2 relevant publications entitled: 1. Compendium of Funding Schemes for Voluntary Sector 2. Hand Book of Project Profiles on Rural Electrification and Non Conventional Energy
Our Contribution to the Partnership
Interface Foundation can undertake capacity building and educational programs for grassroots NGOs working for the casue. We have broad experience in identification, planning, facilitation and implementation of market based delivery models in conventional and renewable energy technologies for rural settings. We have extensive knowledge of legal, regulatory and institutional framework on both regional and national level and a thorough understanding of relevent ongoing regional development programs in India. Further, we are familiar with projects and procedures of major regional donors including UNDP, GEF, EU and the World Bank. We can share our experience, particularly in India, with the Partnership.