Our renewed commitment to Efficiency for Access Coalition will boost livelihoods
July 19, 2022
The IKEA Foundation is extending its support for Efficiency for Access’ Low Energy Inclusive Appliances (LEIA) programme for another three years.
This programme helps people living in low-income communities improve their livelihoods by enhancing access to affordable, energy efficient and inclusive solar appliances such as fridges and water pumps.
We first joined the Efficiency for Access Coalition in 2020, with the aim of reaching 225,000 people with access to energy-efficient solar-powered equipment. With our renewed funding commitment, we’re aiming to achieve even greater impact and scale.
Efficient solar-powered appliances
Globally, almost 733 million people lack access to electricity. Many more people live without reliable connections or appliances that could improve their quality of life, power their livelihoods and increase their incomes.
The LEIA programme seeks to improve the efficiency, performance, availability and affordability of solar-powered appliances and technologies suited to off- and weak-grid communities. Better access to electricity improves people’s livelihoods by enabling household savings, boosting incomes and creating jobs.
In its next phase, LEIA will scale its proven interventions and cover a broader range of appliances, business models and markets.
Afford a better life
Jeffrey Prins, Head of Portfolio Renewable Energy, IKEA Foundation, says: “We’re proud to renew our collaboration with the Efficiency for Access Coalition because it’s an effective way to work with like-minded partners and investors to make renewable energy more accessible to many families more quickly.”
He adds: “Highly efficient solar-powered appliances can help families improve their income in a sustainable way, so they can afford a better life while also reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.”
Research and innovation
IKEA Foundation support has so far enabled the distribution of US$1.2 million in R&D grant funding and the delivery of three years of the Efficiency for Access Design Challenge. It has also supported a first-of-its-kind solar water pump consumer awareness campaign, and the development of more than 25 market and consumer research publications.
“Since its launch in 2018, LEIA has established itself as the world’s leading research and innovation programme for off-and weak-grid appropriate technologies,” say CLASP’s Efficiency for Access Lead, Nyamolo Abagi, and Emilie Carmichael, Head of International, Energy Saving Trust.
“With IKEA Foundation’s renewed commitment, we look forward to building on that momentum and reaching even more people with the basic energy services that they need and deserve.”
