Enhancing Capacity of Women Micro-entrepreneurs to Sell Clean Energy Products
Women play a critical role in the base of the pyramid (BoP) energy value chain because of their central responsibility for managing household energy. As primary users of household energy, women are well-positioned to catalyze the market as micro-entrepreneurs and sales agents, including developing and expanding their own small businesses, by selling devices such as solar lighting and charging systems, efficient cookstoves, and solar water filters and pumps. However, they need proper support to become successful entrepreneurs.
This 1-day event (9am – 5pm) will bring together experts in clean energy, entrepreneurship, and gender to (1) examine what’s working and where the challenges remain in engaging and building capacity of women micro-entrepreneurs, and (2) explore how best to support them to scale energy access globally. Innovative case studies will be presented highlighting success factors, challenges and gaps in knowledge. Winrock International will present findings from its Empowered Entrepreneur Training Program, which builds key business, agency-based empowerment, and leadership skills for cookstove and solar entrepreneurs through the USAID-funded Developing a Sustainable Cookstove Sector (DSCS) project.
Session: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST
This event is being coordinated together with Johns Hopkins University and the Visionaria Network.
