1. UPCOMING Training Opportunities

a.  We are currently planning our next training session.  Check back for more info or join our e-newsletter for updates.  Our last training session was on November 20 and 21, 2010 at Portland State.  Thank you everybody who participated and helped make it a success.

b.  Also, go ahead and click here for international training opportunities with our friends at Solar Energy International (SEI) -- renewable energy education for a sustainable future [You can also check out their excellent book store by clicking here!]

c.  And, for news about international training through the GrnEmp Network:

• Click here for various Philippines related programs
• Click here for Peru with Soluciones Practicas
• Click here for Nicaragua with AsoFenix
• Click here for Ecuador with FEDETA
• Click here for Peru with DESEA
• Click here for Burma/Thailand border

d. Finally, click here for on-going training opportunities in Spanish on water, solar, and/or biogas with our friends at the International Renewable Resources Institute (in Mexico)!  We currently work with IRRI on biogas digesters through the Network for Biogas in Latin America and the Caribbean (RedBioLAC).

Sample technical training in Portland...

In April 2009, 30 Portlanders were trained in the GrnEmp development model on solar electricity for off-grid community buildings and solar powered community clean water delivery projects.  "This workshop covers the skills necessary to design and wire a solar system on a community building, health center, or school --and-- the skills needed to size a water pumping system to deliver clean water to a village of rural farmers. In addition, the course includes information not usually discussed in other programs -- working with partner NGOs overseas, engaging in social and cultural issues, identifying and training local villagers to operate and maintain systems, completing the logistics of equipment purchase, identifying possible productive uses of the system in addition to lighting, and discussing case studies from GrnEmp's wealth of experiences over the last 12+ years. Hands-on exercises are an integral part of the curriculum."

2. CUSTOMIZED TRAINING:

• Cross-cultural communications and project development
• Energy saving skills you can put to use in your own backyard
• Technical trainings (over 2 to 5 days) on solar electricity, water pumping, and/or micro-hydro power.

Learning these systems and technologies is as hands-on or in depth as needed.

Ideal for a wide range of students or professionals investigating opportunities in international development or renewable energy applications. The purpose is to train international environmental leaders in rural development, regional planning, water issues, renewable energy, and watershed restoration.  Training covers the technical and social implementation skills for renewable energy projects in the developing world. Courses draw from Green Empowerment's 13+ years of field experience in more than 8 countries in Latin America and Southeast Asia.

Training includes hands-on technical materials, presentation slides, photos from actual GrnEmp project sites, and a discussion of community development issues with GE staff. The outcome provides extensive information for working on community-based renewable energy projects in developing countries as well as insight into how to get involved in renewable energy projects abroad with Green Empowerment or with other organizations.

3. CONSULTING and SPEAKING engagements

Green Empowerment staff provides specialized trainings on all the topics relating to the international environmental work they do.

A consultancy "Service Project" with GrnEmp personnel on-site could include:

• Needs assessment, such as calculations of energy demand
• Design of renewable energy systems
• Management of the equipment bidding process involving the cost and quality comparison of equipment vendors
• Installation of solar equipment
• Training (in English, Spanish, and French) of village technicians, NGOs, governments, and engineering professionals
• Full project management and sub-granting
• Project monitoring and evaluation

Book experts from Green Empowerment as guests lecturers or speakers at your next event or as part of a formal classroom curriculum.

• Organization of technology transfers and workshops
• Leading trips for an entire project installation or service learning experience

Sample Consultancies:

• CREES Foundation (Renewable energy course and feasibility study at biological research station in Peruvian Amazon)
• SunPower (Trip to install solar systems at biological/biodiversity research station in Madagascar and Malaysia)
• Engineers Without Borders (Course on the socio-economic community issues)

Contact us for more information -- (503) 284-5774