CLEAN ENERGY AND WOMEN ON THE ROOF OF THE WORLD

DUSHANBE 2018

“Little Earth” Environmental organization

Content

 Brief description of target villages ……….page 3  (project of 2017)  Seminar for participants of the project “Clean ……….page 4 energy and women on the roof of the world”  Notice regarding uncompleted activities for ……….page 5 2017  Brief description of target village ………page 5  (project of 2018)  Preparation activity (project of 2018) ………page 6

 Exhibition of resources-saving technologies ………page 7 in Bopasor  Some facts about project beneficiaries ……….page 7

 Training on capacity building for women in ……….page 8 Bopaor  Workshop on construction of solar water ……….page 9 heaters in Bopasor  Study tour for project participants to Khorog ……….page 10 and Ishkashim  Distribution of energy efficient devices in ……….page 12 Bopasor  Production of video clip ……….page 13

 Monitoring and evaluation ……….page 14

 Outreach activity ……….page 16

 Photo of project activities for 2018 ……….page 17

 List of project participants for 2017 ……….page 18

 List of project participants for 2018 ……….page 19

«Little Earth» 734001, Tajikistan, Dushanbe, post box 329 Tel. +992 37 881-39-77 E-mail: [email protected] www.leworld.org

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Target villages (project of 2017) The village of Ruhch is located 30 km from Nisur further up the Bartang river at the attitude The village of Nisur is located in the upper of around 2750 meters above sea level. There Bartang Valley of Gorno-Badakhshan are 48 households and 266 people live in the Autonomous Oblast at the attitude around 2634 village (117 women and 149 men). As in Nisur, above sea level. The majority of 43 households most families are engaged in subsistence (in total 252 people—among them 119 women farming and keep a small number of livestock. and 133 men) live below poverty level. The Residents grow wheat, barley and potatoes. local population is mostly engaged in Men often leave for temporary earnings in subsistence farming and, to some extent, cattle Russia. breeding. Residents grow wheat, barley and potatoes. Among the fruit trees you can find A new school was recently built in the village apples, apricots and mulberry trees. In (for students up to grade 9). There is a small temporary labor migration there are members medical center. In Ruhch residents use radio of about 30% of rural families. station "Codan". It is actually the only means of There is no access to the power grid in the communication with the neighboring villages village. The main fuel and energy source for and the regional center. Cellular the villagers for heating and cooking is the local communication is unstable and sometimes shrub and fire wood. As a result of forest and appears at certain points in the village. shrub cutting in the village and on its outskirts, all vegetation has been almost completely In the village there is no access to central destroyed. electricity, but there is a homemade mini-hydro. Its energy is used by several households for The village has a secondary school and a small lighting. The main fuel for cooking and home medical center. Until recently, there was no heating is the local bush, dried manure and communication in the village except for the (rarely) coal. For two decades, residents have short-wave Codan radio station. Now in the cut down almost all vegetation in a radius 15- village cellular communication works with 20 km from the village. constant interruptions.

Village of Nisur and village of Ruhch marked on the map with red circle:

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Seminar for participants of the project “Clean Energy and Women on the Roof of the World”

Seminar for women participating in the project “Clean Energy and Women on the Roof of the World” was held in the public house of the village of Nisur (Bartang, GBAO) on 16 of March, 2018. The event was organized by the Little Earth together with the NGO Oyandasoz (a local partner in the Bartang Valley). those present how to properly operate the

received devices, and what kind of care they There are 35 active women from the villages need. of Yapshorv, Roshorv, Savnob, Rukhch,

Nisur and Barchidiv participated in the event During the coffee break, new participants of to discuss the project outcomes and results, the project, who received the equipment only as well as pressing energy and this winter, watched how the solar parabolic environmental issues of their communities. cooker is being assembled. The collected The seminar was also attended by device was immediately tested - boiled water representatives of the jamoat administration, was prepared with it for coffee and tea. The employees of the public organization benefits of solar energy use were Oyandasoz, local teachers and village demonstrated right on the spot. activists.

Later Sabzikova Asrinisso from the village of The seminar provided an opportunity to Roshorv (a participant of 2017 year’s project) summarize the preliminary results of the told about her experience of participating in a activities carried out under the project, to workshop on the construction of solar water share the gained experience, to discuss heaters and how she uses one of them in her technical issues related to the work of the own household. Asrinisso also presented distributed equipment, and to exchange some numbers of fuel and money she was views on the role of women in solving social able to save thanks to the energy-efficient and environmental problems. The devices received within the “Clean Energy participants of the event discussed what, in and Women on the Roof of the World” their opinion, further steps should be taken in project. order to continue the work started in their communities. In turn, Shikorieva Gulanor, a resident of the

Barchidiv village, shared her own opinion During the seminar, the head of the NGO about the past seminars and the received Oyandasoz, Rozik Yaftaliyev, recalled the energy efficient equipment. She said that the work done over the years within the project acquired new knowledge and skills can help “Clean Energy and Women on the Roof of improve living conditions and preserve the World”. He also appealed to the nature, but women should improve them and participants to assist in monitoring and pay attention to their own development. participate in voluntary measurements of the fuel saved, so that they could later analyze Participants of the event expressed their the data and make a comparative description gratitude to its organizers, noting that such of the findings for the villages. meetings contribute to creating closer ties

between the villages, strengthen the role of The teacher of chemistry and biology from women and allow jointly search for solutions the local school Gul Yormamadov made a to the problems high-mountain communities presentation in which he gave examples of faced with. interesting practices of rational use of natural resources. He also explained in detail to 4

Notice regarding uncompleted activities for 2017

By the time of the report preparation, the Little Earth was not able to conduct fully planned monitoring activities. Events such as a round table with local authorities were also not implemented as scheduled. The main reason for the delay in the completion of the 2017 project phase was the financial difficulties experienced by the bank serving our organization. The Little Earth still does not have access to the funds received from the last tranche of the project.

Target village (project of 2018) However, supply restrictions and high electricity tariffs force local residents to Bopasor village is located 250 km from the actively use firewood and bushes as fuel for city of Khorog and 190 km from Rushan. The heating and cooking in households. village is located at an altitude of 3,020 Electricity fee is 20 dirams per 1 kW/h. meters above sea level in the upper part of Despite the availability of electricity, which the Bartang river valley. In the village there favorably distinguishes the village from many are 23 households and 215 inhabitants in others in Upper Bartang, the settlement is total. The village has 1 school (up to grade 9) poor. and a medical center. Most of the population is engaged in natural farming and keeps Because of the harsh highland climate, small livestock. Many young people are trying almost no fruit trees grow here. However, to leave for temporary earnings outside the residents have enough land for farming and country. Located in the neighboring village grazing livestock. One of the most significant (Pasor), a small hydropower plant with a problems for residents is the lack of access capacity of 120 kW covers the needs of the to drinking water. There is no public bath in local population in electricity. Bopasor.

Village of Bopasor marked on the map with red circle:

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Preparation activity local population. Many local residents spoke (project of 2018) in favor of stoves, which can be used both for heating and cooking purposes. It was decided to purchase combined stoves (so The village of Bopasor was chosen as the called “Vulcan” type) with an integrated oven target village for the implementation of the for baking bread. The parabolic solar cookers 3rd phase of the project “Clean energy and and pressure cookers that have already women on the roof of the world” (see above). gained popularity among mountain Thus, the project’s geography has expanded communities were also ordered. The latest almost to the most remote parts of the devices, as before, were ordered from a Bartang River Valley. The choice of the factory in China. In June 2018, the first funds village was discussed with the local transfers for the purchase of equipment were administration and NGO Oyandasoz - the made. partner of the Little Earth in Bartang. This time, the beneficiaries of the project were 15 It was decided to make a study tour for the women from low-income families from most active women - participants and include Baphor it the current phase of the project. The study

tour gathered the most active participants of At the end of April 2018, a meeting was held the project and gave them the opportunity to at the local level to select new participants. establish new professional and personal Representatives from Bapasor Women's contacts, gain new experience and get Committee, the head of the partner acquainted with projects and initiatives that organization - NGO Oyandasoz, Rozik could be developed in Bartang communities. Yaftaliyev, and local village activists attended In the first half of 2018, “Little Earth” held the event. At this meeting participants formed preliminary negotiations and concluded a project’s target group. Members for the agreements with a number of local and target group were selected by vote. international organizations that expressed

their willingness to accept the participants of Staff members of the Little Earth conducted a the study tour and show them the results of brief survey in order to define energy-efficient their projects. equipment that best meets the needs of the

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Exhibition of resource-saving technologies in Bopasor

On July 4, 2018, the Little Earth staff with support from the local partner organization "Oyandasoz" held a free-for-all exhibition devoted to energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. The event featured thematic information stands, energy saving equipment and materials (including energy efficient stoves, effective sealed glazing units, LED lamps, and a variety of insulants) as well as devices that use solar energy (such as All interested visitors could listen to short portable solar lanterns, solar charging units, presentations, watch practical solar collectors to heat water, and solar demonstrations of some devices and ask any parabolic cookers). questions they might have.

Energy efficient stoves for cooking and Booklets, bulletins and other publications heating were also presented during the describing benefits of alternative energy exhibition. Local residents were particularly sources, available energy saving equipment interested in the LED lamps. Bopasor has and the role of the healthy environment in access to electricity which is generated by a sustainable development of local mini power plant in a neighboring village. communities were disseminated among the However, the power costs are high local residents. The exhibition was attended compelling the villagers to use it sparingly. by more than 60 villagers, including 15 Many visitors asked questions about women selected to take part in the project techniques used for thermal insulation of and the head of the local dehkan farm. buildings, costs and availability of insulation materials in local construction markets.

Some facts about project beneficiaries

There are 15 women from low-income families from the village of Bopasor participated in the third phase of the project. The youngest participant is 20 years old, the oldest is 58 years old. Only one of the participants has a completed higher education, all the others have a secondary education. All but one woman (working as a teacher) are unemployed and engaged in the household activities. The average number of family members is 5-6 people. The largest family consists of 12 people, the smallest of the 2.

All women participants of the project use shrubs, firewood, coal, dried manure for cooking and heating. Some sometimes use electric stoves. The lack of access to clean drinking water, lack of firewood and the lack of a public bath were noted as the main problems of the village. Several participants pointed out cold climate and lack of fruit trees as a challenge. Participants noted that during summer they have an average of 2-2,5 hours of free time per day, in winter they have about 4 hours.

In the questionnaires, women indicated that in summer they use an average of 4,4 m3 of firewood, and in winter - 12,4 m3. 66% of respondents indicated that they can change the energy situation in the village by assisting men. 20% of respondents believe that it is necessary to build an additional mini-hydro power plant, 7% of women think that it is necessary to restore the forest, 7% want to find a job. Most women suggested to buy solar cookers and use energy- efficient stoves and lamps in their homes as part of solution. Participants noted that they want to learn more about “reforestation” and “water treatment technologies”.

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Training on capacity building for women in Bopasor

A three-day training workshop to build capacity of women participating in the project was launched on July 5, 2018. The workshop was organized by the Little Earth in cooperation with the local NGO Oyandasoz. The training event was aimed at raising awareness of the project target group regarding the link between the environmental conditions and sustainable livelihoods as well as women's role in the development of their current social and environmental situation village and promotion of resource saving and tried to identify the chain of factors that technologies. led to certain consequences. This work resulted in identification of the basic needs

and helped the participants to realize that The training program consists of 7 main blocks: Introduction; Definition of family their old habits had to be changed in view of composition; General Session "My Village"; the increasing resource scarcity. Women daily life and self-development; The practice of renewable energy and energy The second part of the workshop was equally efficiency; Session "Sustainable development productive. The participants discussed of mountain communities"; Filling out rational use of natural resources and benefits questionnaires/ sum up outcomes/ discussion of adoption of energy saving measures and of further project activities. The program was environmentally friendly technologies. The trainers cited success stories (including slightly revised based on the experience of examples from neighboring villages) and the last year project phase and included more time for general discussions and demonstrated some of the devices. In the brainstorming. course of discussions, the trainers together with the participants tried to understand what The introductory part of the workshop reasons prevented women from taking a focused on briefing the participants on the more active part in the life of their goals, objectives and expected outcomes of communities, come up with their own the project and explaining activities of the solutions for specific problems or elaborate Little Earth related to the green energy and on their own initiatives. A particular emphasis was put on the need for women's self- climate change adaptation. During the first development and strengthening their role in part of the event, the participants shared their problems and questions that caused their resource management and decision-making concern and that they considered important pertaining to local community development. to address. While working on their training assignments, the women analyzed the The training workshop was held in a friendly and open atmosphere. The participants were active, asked a lot of questions, took their training assignments seriously and tried to come up with effective solutions during common discussions. It should be noted that ten out of 15 women were taking part in a training workshop for the first time. Two most active members of the group lately participated in a study tour to the city of Khorog (administrative center of Gorno- Badakhshan Autonomous Region).

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Workshop on construction of solar neighboring village of Barchadiv and has water heaters in Bopasor been repeatedly engaged by the Little Earth to take part in their events as a trainer. On August 10-12, 2018, a three-day practical workshop on construction of solar water “By making use of resources and experience heaters was held in Bopasor village (Bartang available in local communities, our valley, Tajikistan). The workshop was organization provides support and facilitates attended by 15 women from the local development of the local capacity. It is community representing the target group of essential that in addition to the introduction of the project "Clean Energy and Women on the new technologies and practices we transfer Roof of the World". the required knowledge so that local residents can continue using and elaborating The event was organized by the alternative solutions that suit them best" - environmental organization The Little Earth in says Timur Idrisov, senior advisor, The Little cooperation with its local partner, NGO Earth. Oyandasoz and with support from the US Forestry Service. It should be noted that none of the trainees had participated in similar events before. During the first half of the workshop, the Such events help the women to receive new participants received theoretical knowledge knowledge and skills in addition to nurturing about the main principles of operation and the culture of cooperation at the village level. advantages of solar water heaters, learned Working in a single team brings the women about different types and designs of such together and encourages them to achieve devices and got acquainted with examples of better results through joint efforts. their use. Later on, prior to proceeding to the hands-on part of the workshops, the women "We often have to cope without our husbands were explained the basic safety rules. who travel to Russia seeking employment. After the workshop, we feel more confident During the second part of the workshop, the because we managed, all by ourselves, to participants built and tested three solar construct devices that will prove useful in our collectors (under the supervision of households. It turned out that it is not all that R.Mamadamonov, a local artisan). hard to operate the tools especially when you Mr.Madamonov who acted as the workshop are working together" - says Zaituna facilitator is an expert in construction of Jamilova, one of the project participants. energy efficient devices. He lives in the

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discussion of new ideas for the development of their communities.

During day one of the tour, the participants visited the village of Bardaru in the Lower Bartang, where a wool processing workshop was set up with the support from MSDSP (Mountain Societies Development Support Program - a branch of the Aga Khan Development Network). The project has provided employment for 15 local women and 1 craftsman.

Study tour for project participants Later on, the group reached Ravmed village, to Khorog and Ishkashim which has been the home to the Tajik Women Concervation project for several years now. Unforgettable impressions, lots of new ideas Under the project, foreign experts train female and interesting new contacts - a four-day game-keepers in the specifics of working with study tour was organized in the Pamir for a tourists and hunters. At present, twelve young group of female activists from Savnob jamoat women are involved in the project. It is who participated in the project "Clean Energy implemented by the organization "Wild Life and Women on the Roof of the World". Tajikistan".

The tour of Lower Bartang-Khorog-Ishkashim The entire day two of the tour was devoted to was arranged on 24-27 September 2018 by visiting different organizations in Khorog. The the Environmental Organization 'The Little women were particularly excited about their Earth' with support from the US Forestry visit to the non-governmental organization Service. "Madina" because the NGO staff not only described activities of their organization but Within a four-day period, ten members of the also provided a brief overview of such topics fair sex from the villages of Nisur, Ruhch, as "Leadership and Personal Growth" and Savnob, Roshorv and Bopasor visited a "Financial Literacy". Under the leadership of a number of various organizations, successful woman, Nabot Dodkhudoeva, the demonstration plots and facilities, including NGO has implemented over 50 different handicraft stores, sewing workshops, wool projects to date. processing works, a tourist guest house (run by a woman), the recently opened University Afterward, the group of women was of Central Asia as well as the renowned welcomed at the educational organization Pamiri healing springs. Apart from the city of "Khayot". Bibinoz Mirzoeva, the head of the Khorog (administrative center of GBAO - organization, personally gave the participants Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region), the a tour of the workshop specializing in tour participants visited six different villages in needlework and handicraft offering all the lower reaches of the Bartang valley and interested women a chance to learn how to Ishkashim.

The main objective of the tour was for the women to become familiar with interesting and successful projects and practices implemented by different organizations in GBAO that promote involvement of women in natural resource management, development of handicraft trades and tourism, provide vocational training and small business support. The tour has helped the participants to gain new knowledge and experience, establish useful contacts and prompted 10

cut, sew, knit, craft articles of seed beads and stones. Khayot graduates receive full-fledged professions (respective diplomas are issued by the local Employment Center) that enable them to earn a living.

While in Khorog, the study tour participants paid special attention to the new handicraft shop where they exchanged contacts with a view to setting up regular supplies of their products in the future. Then, the participants met with staff of the female group "Zarin" who provide free training for young women in In Ishkashim itself, the group visited the knitting and assist them in selling of their guesthouse Anis, which is managed by Zulfia products. Saidrasulova. Foreign tourists coming to the The women also visited the Pamiri Eco- Pamir often put up at this guesthouse. At Tourism Association (PECTA) which present, the guesthouse provides work for 10 specializes in promotion of tourism and persons. The day ended with a pleasant and preservation of traditional handicrafts and useful visit to the healing springs in Garm cultural and historic heritage of the Pamir. Chashma. Here, the participants restored The head of the association, Asadsho their strength and took a hot bath. Zoolshoev, shared with the participants his On the last day of the tour, the participants longstanding experience and then gave them returned to Khorog where they had meetings a tour of the showroom where different items scheduled at the University of Central Asia. produced by local artisans and craftsman are The University opening ceremony was held in exhibited. The tour participants were September this year. The cozy modern explained which items enjoy the highest campuses have become a home to students demand among tourists. and foreign teachers with their families. The Day three of the tour was devoted to the trip women participants were taken on a tour to the Ishkashim valley where the participants around the university and learned about its met Jahonamo Abdurahimova - a woman activities and plans. living in Andarob village who runs a workshop The last feature on the tour program was the specializing in yarn-spinning and weaving of office of the Public Foundation "CAMP cashmere products. A few years ago, with Tabiat" where the participants received support from MSDSP and International Fund information about two projects on joint forest for Agricultural Development (IFAD) wool management and ecosystemic approach to processing machines were procured and climate change adaptation. The women were training delivered for local women. The given a chance to ask any questions and equipment is powered by solar energy. Items discuss results of the two presented projects. produced by the workshop are often exhibited in handicraft fairs and exhibitions. "I liked the study tour very much. It was the first time that I visited Khorog and Ishkashim where I got acquainted with many successful women and their work. I have learned about different projects and ideas that they put into practice. I think all of us have discovered lots of new opportunities and adopted new ideas that can make a difference for our communities" - shares her impressions Sohibjamol Shikorieva, the tour participant from Ruhch village.

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Distribution of energy efficient used to spend a lot of time and fuel for devices in Bopasor cooking peas. Now that we have pressure pans meals are cooked faster and we consume less teresken (a local shrub)" -says Fifteen female participants of the project Savrigul Kushkorova, a project participant Clean Energy and Women on the Roof of the who has been using the pressure pan on a World from the most vulnerable families living daily basis. in the village of Bopasor received sets of energy efficient equipment in late October The energy saving stoves received by the 2018. Delivery and distribution of the women were made by a local craftsman equipment was handled by staff of the (from the village of Barchadiv) from parts environmental organization the Little Earth ordered and procured from Zindagi with assistance from our local partner NGO cooperative. When assembling the stoves the "Oyandasoz". Every set consisted of a craftsman took into account local conditions parabolic solar cooker, pressure pan and an in Bartang where teresken shrubs are used energy saving stove for cooking and heating. as the main source of fuel. The stoves are expected to reduce consumption of firewood The solar cookers have become rather by 25-30% while reducing emissions of popular with residents of the Bartang valley harmful gases. where The Little Earth is operating. They have become indispensable in dozens of "We have long wanted to acquire a stove like Bartang households. Local residents used this. We saw similar stoves in the them to boil water, cook meals and even to neighboring houses but we had no money to bake bread. During the warm season when buy one of those. Our family used an old cast the weather is clear, the solar cookers enable -iron stove. It consumed lots of fuel. We hope to considerably reduce firewood consumption that the new stove will save us firewood and in daytime. money. The new stove can be used for heating, cooking meals and baking bread. Pressure pans have also proved themselves This is very convenient", says Zuvornigul quite useful in Bartang under previous Davlatyorova, a project participant from projects. They are a perfect choice for people Bopasor village. needing to cook their meals quickly and preserve many healthful vitamins and All donated devices are affordable, reliable minerals thereat. Pressure pans enable to and easy to operate. Their use will help the reduce time spent on cooking and thus cut project participants and their family members down the use of firewood. In the context of to save fuel and money, reduce emissions of extreme scarcity of energy resources in harmful gases and improve sanitary mountainous villages, this proves a great conditions as well as alleviate pressure on help for housewives. the limited natural resources.

"We grow and eat peas in this village. In the past, when we had no pressure pans, we

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Production of video clip carried out during the second trip. Of the total material shot, only a small part entered the video, but it reflects well the tasks set before Another feature of the 3rd phase of the the video. project was the development of a small video clip made on the basis of interviews with The video includes fragments of interviews several project participants and their families’ with project participants from Savnob village members living in three different target (Suratmo Nosirova and Parimo Sainazarova) villages. During the production of the video, and Roshorv village (Gulisandzhid Bekova) we tried to show the difficulties of everyday and their family members. life and the main problems of remote mountain communities, as well as present Editing the final video and its discussion took how the introduction of "green" technologies several months. The video was ready by the and the acquisition of new knowledge and beginning of December 2018, after which it skills by participants changes people's lives appeared on the channel of the Little Earth for the better. The script was prepared by the in Youtube. The news with links to the video staff of the Little Earth. was published on the organization’s website

and on the Little Earth page on Facebook, as Few operators from the Pamir-TV channel well as released through several newsletters. were selected (who cover the main news of

GBAO region) and invited for shooting the Video with Russian subtitles available here: video. The operators from Khorog were https://www.youtube.com/watch? chosen to implement the task for a number of reasons, including good knowledge of life of v=KKcJXrMrBb0 the mountain communities, as well as local Video with English subtitles available here: language and culture. Shooting the video https://www.youtube.com/watch? were conducted in two stages. During the v=WKMsIBbG_vc first trip, the main shots were taken with the help of a drone. Filming of the general views of valley and villages was made and heroes were selected for the main interviews. They are the most active participants of the project and their family members. Filming with women and their loved ones was 13

Monitoring and evaluation

First of all, it should be noted that lists of participants were always compiled and photographs were taken during the main activities of the project. During the distribution of energy-efficient equipment, a list of recipients (with their signatures and personal data) was kept. In December 2018, staff members of the Little Earth visited the village of Bopasor for the monitoring. During the trip, a survey and individual interviews were conducted with selected participants (5 The project participant and deputy leader of participants were surveyed). There were also the local women's group Davlatyorova several short meetings with village activists Zuvornigul says: “I liked the project. I learned and a local partner in the village of Nisur - why it is so important to use available NGO Oyandasoz. resources efficiently and learned how to build a solar water heater with my own hands. With the assistance of Oyandasoz, a general Thanks to the trip to Khorog and Ishkashim, I meeting was held, during which participants met successful and active women. discussed implemented activities and project Sometimes I call up with them, share the outcomes, the benefits of the equipment news. Recently I sent several pairs of jurabs received and shared ideas for the future. (local socks) to Khorog for sale”.

Due to the fact that the distribution of Another participant of the project, equipment took place in late October, the Alinazarova Usmibegim, noted that “after participants of the 3rd phase of the project participating in this project, my life changed. did not have time to use the solar cookers. My husband and I have no source of income. Many women have already seen solar Previously, it was very hard life. But now cookers in neighboring villages and are devices we received within the project helps looking forward to warm days when they can us to save resources. It made our daily life use their own. Almost all the participants easier”. noted that they often use pressure cookers, especially when cooking meat or pulses. No complaints from the project participants Most of all, according to the participants, they related to the technical condition of the liked efficient stoves for cooking and heating. equipment or difficulties in operation have yet Many participants did not keep records of fuel been received. Together with the devices, the consumption before and after receiving women received user’s instructions both in stoves, however, they said that the new Russian and Tajik languages. stoves consume approximately two times less firewood. Participants from the Bopasor village noted in an interview that, thanks to their participation in the project’s activities, they were able not only to gain new knowledge and skills, but to take a fresh look at familiar things. Without exception, all participants believe that it is necessary to continue the implementation of such projects further, expanding their context and geography.

In addition to the distribution of energy- efficient equipment and devices that use renewable energy sources, women suggest winterization of houses, building public baths 14

with solar water heaters, restoring forest, planting fruit trees, and also conduct more training and workshops for women.

Using local capacity

This year, as in 2017, the Little Earth involved in the project’s activities a local master, a resident of the Barchidiv village, who has the necessary technical knowledge and practical skills to conduct a practical workshop on assembling solar water heaters. As a professional carpenter, he himself was a report was prepared, which included participant in number of workshops on the recommendations for further expansion and construction of energy-efficient stoves and development of the project. solar dryers. Engaging a local master helped solve the language barrier issue and create The project and its outcomes received a an open working atmosphere. positive feedback and had been considered

successful. Report noted importance of the The same master was involved in assembling further project support and the inclusion of efficient stoves “Vulkan” from blanks ordered new components. Maryam, in particular, and purchased in the Zindagi cooperative in recommended expanding the training Khorog. When assembling stoves, the master component (including sharing experience) took into account local conditions - in Bartang and increasing the frequency of travel and the main source of fuel is teresken shrub. stay in villages, in order to get detailed Involving local experts in the implementation analysis about situation on the ground. of the project, we support the development of Among other proposals, the involvement of community capacity and use local resources. young women in the project, the expansion of

the list of equipment and practices being US Forest service representative visit to introduced, and the inclusion of a the Bartang valley reforestation component.

In August, a representative of the US Forest To repeat once again, small scale projects Service (Maryam Tevzadze) visited Tajikistan are only the first steps to mobilize women, and Bartang Valley in particular. During the improve the quality of life of families and tour, Maryam visited several target villages of preserve the environment in the target the project, including Nisur, Savnob, communities. Future projects should be Roshorv, Ruhch and Bopasor. Here she met aimed not just at distributing or installing with representatives of local authorities and equipment, supporting the necessary activists, visited some of the sites, and also infrastructure or introducing new practices, conducted individual interviews with selected but also at changing outdated household project participants. Following the trip, a habits, breaking down gender stereotypes, unfair social structures and shaping a new mentality.

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Outreach activity

During the project implementation the Little Earth has paid special attention to outreach work and information activity. There are several thematic publications were developed and news and stories were released through e-mail lists, social networks and the media.

From January to December 2018 the Little Earth prepared at least eight thematic news about project activities and two articles Снимок с экрана: сайт Горного партнерства dedicated to energy poverty and women in target mountain communities. News were distributed through email channels, including the Tajikistan NGOs Network on Climate Change, the Central Asia Youth Environmental Network, Climate Action Network for EECCA region and Little Earth information newsletter (more than 600 subscribers in total, including individuals and institutions).

All news about project activities are available online on Little Earth web-site (most of them both in Russian and English) and our official Снимок с экрана: сайт «Маленькой Земли» page in Facebook. News about the project’s activities were duplicated on the SPARE

(School project on application of resources and energy) and Central Asia Youth Environmental Network pages in Facebook.

Some stories about energy poverty, hard daily life of mountain communities and project implementation were published on the web-site of Mountain Partnership

(www.mountainpartnership.org) and on the popular in Central Asia region online environmental platform Living Asia

(www.livingasia.online). Плакат, посвященный солнечным кухням

A number of leaflets, posters (on solar portable lanterns and solar cookers) and few issues of the bulletin “Green energy and us” dedicated to the renewable energy and sustainable energy solutions, as well as user’s instructions for devices disseminated within the project (both in Russian and Tajik languages) were developed or extra copies were made. These materials were distributed among the focus group of the project, and related stakeholders, including local authorities and inhabitants. Инструкция по использованию солнечной кухни

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Exhibition of resources-saving technologies in Group work within the training on capacity the village of Bopasor building for women in the village of Bopasor

Local master instructs participants of the Discussion during the training on capacity workshop in the village of Bopasor building for women in the village of Bopasor

Workshop for women on solar water heaters in US Forest service representative visits the village of Bopasor greenhouse in the village of Roshorv

Project participants from Participants of the study tour in the office of the village of Bopasor «Madina» microfinance agency in Khorog 17

LIST OF 2017 PROJECT PARTICIPANTS

Nisur village Ruhch village

Alovatova Aziza Shikorieva Sohibjamol

Olimova Savribegim Shabonova Gulbahor

Shabonova Surayo Bodurshoeva Kurbonkhotun

Gulomshoeva Sabzagul Pirmamadova Bahorgul

Aidieva Navruzmo Nodirbekova Atrigul

Gurgalieva Muborakhotun Silaymonshoeva Davlatbegim

Charogova Ochatbegim Pasorakova Fotima

Aknazarova Sarabibi Pasorakova Donagul

Pasorakova Shikarmo Khujanazarova Asrimo

Kalandarbekova Gulsara Bodurshoeva Nazarbegim

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LIST OF 2018 PROJECT PARTICIPANTS

Bopasor village

Barambekova Gulbichin Yoralieva Jahonoro Kamanova Durdona Davlyatyorova Zuvorngul Aidarova Farosatmo Yoralieva Farishtagul Sultonaidarova Olamgul Pirmamadova Rayongul Djamilova Zaitun Alinazarova Usnibegim Zubujinova Sarabibi Yoralieva Dunyobegim Oshurova Savribegim Toshbekova Davlatbakht Faridai Sharob

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