Green EmpowermentWe partner with local partners and

rural communities to implement renewable energy & water projects in

the developing world to alleviate poverty and protect the environment.

Poverty

2.7 billion people live in poverty (less than $2/day)

Extreme Poverty

Over 1 billion people (1/6 world population) live on less than $1/day

They cannot provide basic needs, like food, water, clothing, shelter, education, sanitation, or health care

2.5 billion live w/o adequate sanitation

Pollution/scarcity ~ 1.1 billion lack access to clean drinking water

Water borne disease is a leading cause of death in the developing world

Source: Pacific Institute

WaterWater

“All boys and girls must drink clean water to avoid parasites”

1.6 billion live in the dark

ElectricityElectricity

The Case for Renewable Energy

• Access to electricity helps alleviate poverty • Renewable energy (RE) is the cheapest option for electricity or pumping water (life cycle costs) • RE can offset use of fossil fuels for lighting and electricity or cooking •Biogas digesters destroy methane, reduce need for firewood, and provide fertilizer • Respiratory disease linked to smoke from firewood and kerosene lights is a leading cause of death in the developing world

Core Countries

• Nicaragua

• Ecuador

• The Philippines

• Peru

• Thailand

• Burma

Portland, OR

Nicaragua

Philippines

Ecuador

Perú

Thailand/Burma border

Core Value: Social Justice

Projects must have the maximum positive impact on basic human rights such as employment, health, education, personal opportunity and other indices of a healthy society. Both men and women must be actively involved in the development of their community.

Core Value: Local Leadership

Projects must have strong community backing and leadership. Local people are trained in the skills necessary to operate and maintain their projects. We promote the leadership of local technical organizations, as their skills are vital to the planning and building of the projects.

Core Value: Sustainability

Each project must have a plan for long-term sustainability, both economically and environmentally. Rural electrification is supported by community tariffs on residential use of electricity, as well as micro-enterprises that generate revenue for the long-term viability of the projects.

Electricity

Water Delivery

Watershed Restoration

Technologies: Micro Hydro

Micro hydro technology is an appropriate, environmentally benign energy form, which can produce electricity at low cost in isolated communities internationally wherever there are mountains and streams.

The water flows through a turbine which turns a generator and generates electricity 24hrs a day

Technologies: Solar PV

During the day, PhotoVoltaic panels convert sunlight energy into electricity that can be stored in batteries, transmitted by wires, and/or power lights, machines, or water pumps.

Technologies: Ram Pump

Ram pumps are simple mechanical devices used to pump water uphill for irrigation or potable water distribution. They don’t use any electricity and, with only 2 moving parts, are easy to build and maintain. They use the momentum of a large amount of water running down a hill, to push a smaller amount of water uphill 24 hours a day.

Technologies: Wind

The wind turns the blades of a turbine. The turbine turns a generator which produces electricity whenever the wind blows.

We partner with a local partner who:Knows the language & cultureLong term commitment to community developmentCan procure equipment locallyProvides follow-up and technical support

We assist with any of the following:Technical Assistance

Feasibility studies, design, implementationTraining and technology transfer

Organizational planning & developmentGrant writing; fundraising; meeting officialsPublicity and reporting

The village community:Sets the priorities and owns the projectContributes labor & resources for implementationManages operations & maintenance through its community-based

organization

Division of LaborDivision of Labor

Community Entry

Social Preparations

Tech Development

TestingCommunity

Capacity Building

Project Implementation

Project Proposal

SubmissionProject

Monitoring / Evaluation

Project Hand Over

Project Development

Process

• Need and desire for electricity or water

• Available renewable resources

• Community-based organization ~ provides unskilled labor, desire to become renewable energy technicians

• Ability to pay for & manage utilities

• Desire to generate income

• Motivated to protect and regenerate watersheds

• Potential for project replication

Project CriteriaProject Criteria

Upcoming ProjectsHousehold Solar - San Jose de los Remates, NicaraguaWho/What: 200 villagers receive household lightingCost: $55,000

Micro-Hydro - Mindanao, PhilippinesWho/What: 60 households receive lighting, 260 households use corn-millingCost: $105, 240 total, $15,000 still sought

Ram Pumps - Negros, PhilippinesWho/What: 9,900 people receive water with 12 systemsCost: $124,958 total, $36,284 needed for 8 remaining

Wind Energy - Alumbre, PeruWho/What: 132 people get light into their remote homesCost: $92,305

• Donate

• Adopt a project

• Tell your friends & employer

• Volunteer (Portland/Internationally)

• Participate in

– US/International Technical Trainings

– University/Professional Partnerships

– Intern ~ NGO Skills Training

Get InvolvedGet Involved

Green Empowerment will be featured in Willamette Week’s Give!Guide this year! Your donation dated Nov. 12th or later can help us look beautiful to potential new donors. We are also actively looking for a business partner who would match your donation.

In addition to investing in truly sustainable energy and water projects globally, you can get schwag just in time for the holidays.

For example, in 2007, for a gift of $25 or more, donors received a thank you gift such as:10 2-Zone Tri-Met passes (worth $17.50), a satchel of Tazo tea, or a free ZipCar membership for a year. Gifts including beer to bubbly accompanied thank you gifts for donations of $250, $500, and over $1000.

www.greenempowerment.orgwww.greenempowerment.org

503.284.5774503.284.5774