Peace Corps has trained staff, project partners and Volunteers, who in turn are training municipal staff, teachers and community members in Peace Corps posts on climate change, natural resource management, energy efficiency, and renewable energy technologies, as well as mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
Peace Corps Volunteers and partners support community members to plan and implement projects in-country. Renewable technology activities include solar or fuel efficient stoves or ovens, biodigesters for household cooking, solar water heating, solar panels for electricity, wind power generation, mini hydroelectric power generation, and hydraulic RAM pumps. Climate change mitigation and adaptation activities include reforestation, and training in reforestation and strategies and techniques to cope with extreme rain or drought events.
Photo from Powermundo implementing partner
Peace Corps Volunteers and partners will train and support microfinance institutions to create systems to provide financing for renewable energy and climate change technologies. Volunteers and partners will also support small businesses to improve their business practices and access the funding and support they need to extend renewable energy options to rural communities.
In each country, the Peace Corps works with host governments, international, national, and local partners to facilitate small-scale projects to reduce carbon emissions, improve health, improve access to energy in rural communities, and create income-generation opportunities for individuals and small businesses in rural areas.