Integrated Development Association (IDEA) is a non profit organization established in 1991 to promote commercialization of improved stoves and capacity building of grassroot level organizations to implement stove programmes at the household level, improvement of rural kitchens to improve and monitor indoor air pollution. In this exercise IDEA has worked closely with international organizations such as Practical Action, ARECOP and INFORSE and IDEA is the country focal point of ICS activities. The mission of IDEA is to facilitate commercialization of ICS for the benefit of the 80% of the population using firewood. Holistic strategies are adopted to cover development aspects related to energy, health, environment, poverty alleviation, gender issues etc.
IDEA has been successful in establishing a fully commercial programme. At present over 300,000 ICS are produced annually by rural potters and marketed through commercial channels through out the country. Due to this success IDEA was a nominee for the World Clean Energy Award 2007.
IDEA also implements a kitchen Improvement Programme in Sri Lanka with the support of Asian Region Cookstove Programme(ARECOP) and the UNDP/GEF. A national network comprising of about 35 NGOs/CBOs are strenthghened and empowered to integrate kitchen improvement activities and indoor air pollution monitoring. At present about 350 kitchens have been improved with the participation of network members throughout the country.
Contact Information
In the future IDEA is planning to (1) extend stove commercialization activities to the Eastern Province targeting 10,000 households which would be implemented by strengthening the local CBOs and women's groups to carry out the programme in a suatinable manner; and (2) introduce technologies to reduce emission of GHGs and particulates while burning firewood for cooking and introduce agro-forestry practices in 26 home gardens to enhance green-cover improving sequestration of carbon, improve pollution inside kitchens and provide energy energy security.
Our Experience And Interest In The Four PCIA Central Focus Areas
Many of the social/cultural barriers could be circumvented by adopting holistic approaches to address, energy, health, gender, poverty alleviation etc. in improving the total kitchen environment which connects the home gardens as well. IDEA has acquired sufficient knowledge and expertise with regard to non-technical issues associated with introducing new technologies.
Commercialisation of stoves have been a great success in Sri Lanka. IDEA adopts two routes in promoting ICS: (1) commercialisation route through establishing linkages among producers, distributors, retailers and users; 2) for poor users and users outside the commercial channels, CBOs are empowered to promote stoves through providing revolving funds and credit facilities.
Quality control is somewhat a problem with over 200 rural stove producers. Efforts are taken to re-train producers and provide templates etc to maintain standards. Artisans are trained to install stoves and improve kitchens.
IDEA has completed improvements incorporating improved stoves, ventilation, storage and ergonomic working facilities in 350 kitchens. Indoor pollution monitoring in 12 kitchens after and before improvements are completed in 12 kitchens using UCB and HOBO instruments. Only IDEA has this facility in Sri Lanka. IDEA is presently participating in a study to monitor indoor air pollution in 60 households in the Tea Plantation sector using UCBs and HOBOs with the association of Practical Action and University of Moratuwa.
Relevant Publications or Studies
Unpublished articles included in the website www.ideasrilanka.org
Our Contribution to the Partnership
IDEA is focal point of improved stove activities in Sri Lanka which provides benfits to stove users in terms of reducing exposure to indoor air pollution energy saving. IDEA empowers large number of CBOs working with poor communities in alleviating indoor air pollution and related technologies. IDEA can share experiences and learn from the PCIA network.
