Click here for information on our North American Funding Partners OUR PARTNERS Green Empowerment provides technical, organizational, media, public relations, and financial support to local partner organizations. Together, we successfully construct community-based renewable energy systems associated with residential electricity, economic development, potable water, and watershed protection.
NICARAGUA The Association of Rural Development Workers - Benjamin Linder (ATDER-BL) http://www.atder-bl.org/ Location: Matagalpa, Nicaragua Green Empowerment Partner since 1997 ATDER-BL has brought hydroelectricity to the region of Cua-Bocay and developed projects with communities in north central Nicaragua since 1987. Four watersheds have been protected and reforested with over 2000 acres of primary rain forest purchased for two permanent forest reserves and 200,000 trees replanted. ATDER-BL has protected thousands of acres of forests, provided electricity to nearly 15,000 people and water to thousands more. ATDER-BL is a group of approximately 35 activists, 6 staff and many citizens who have partnered with Green Empowerment to develop various renewable energy, rural development, and environmental projects over the last 20 years. Benjamin Linder, for whom ATDER-BL is named, was a mechanical engineer from Portland, OR who was killed by the Contras while working on micro hydro power in Nicaragua. AsoFenix Location: Managua, Nicaragua Green Empowerment Partner since 2002 AsoFenix is dedicated to the diffusion, development and application of renewable energy to address energy needs and protect the environment. AsoFenix works closely with communities and local officials to build solar water pumps and electricity systems, solar ovens, micro-hydro projects and biodigestors. Green Empowerment has helped distribute potable water through the use of solar water pumps.
BURMA/THAILAND Border Green Energy Team (BGET) http://www.bget.org Location: Mae Sot, Thailand Green Empowerment Partner since 2005 BGET is a Thai non-governmental organization that provides hands-on appropriate technology training and financial support to village innovators in ethnic minority areas on both sides of the Thai/Burmese border. BGET works in four areas: improving sustainability of Thai solar home systems through local technician trainings; refugee camp renewable energy trainings; community micro-hydro construction and maintenance; and solar electricity construction and maintenance trainings for 37 medical clinics on the Thai/Burmese border. Green Empowerment has assisted with these trainings and with financing the solar powered clinics. Palang Thai http://www.palangthai.org Location: Bangkok, Thailand Green Empowerment Partner since 2003 Palang Thai is a Thailand-based non-profit organization that works to ensure that the transformations that occur in the region's energy sector are economically rational, as well as socially and environmentally just and sustainable. Palang Thai works with Green Empowerment to build micro-hydro systems for community buildings, schools, clinics, temples and churches. All systems we build remain functional after several years, and villagers have demonstrated that they are willing and able to make repairs. Palang Thai has also assisted BGET with technical trainings for medics who bring solar electricity to clinics over the Burmese border.
ECUADOR La Fundación Ecuatoriana de Tecnologia Apropriada (FEDETA) http://www.fedeta.org Location: Quito, Ecuador Green Empowerment Partner since 2007 FEDETA is a non-profit institution that works for a world that is "socially more just, ecologically more healthy and technologically more humane." FEDETA’s programs include research projects, development, and application of renewable energy, agriculture and education. They have installed over 600 solar panels and 2 micro-hydro projects in remote areas of the Amazon. Green Empowerment is working with FEDETA to strengthen their solar program and introduce solar water pumps for remote villages. Fundacion Natura http://www.fnatura.org Location: Ecuador Green Empowerment Partner from 2003-2006 Fundacion Natura is an Ecuadorian non-profit non-governmental organization of voluntary membership and nationwide coverage. The National Office has several focus areas: Natural Ecosystems, Biodiversity, and Environmental Quality. One of Fundacion Natura's present projects focuses on the implementation of Renewable Energy Systems in the Galapagos and in the Amazon. For 25 years, Natura has recognized that sustainable development is a key part of the conservation and protection of biodiversity and is dedicated to the joint effort of sustainable development and environmental conservation. In January 2005, Green Empowerment, Fundacion Natura, EnerGreen and the communities completed renewable energy projects in 2 villages deep in the Amazon.
PERU Practical Action (formerly ITDG) http://www.itdg.org.pe Location: Lima, Peru Green Empowerment Partner since 2005 Active since 1985 in Peru, Practical Action is committed to poverty reduction, environmental conservation and technology choice. With offices in seven Peruvian locales, and a staff of approximately 150, Practical Action has a long list of accomplishments. A few of these include electrifying clinics, churches, schools and community; bringing wind energy to Andean communities; developing international renewable energy training courses; and developing 50 micro hydro systems, earning them an Ashden Award in 2007. Green Empowerment has worked with Practical Action on solar, hydro, and micro wind projects.
THE PHILIPPINES Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Inc. (AIDFI) http://www.aidfi.org Location: Bacolod, Negros Island, Philippines Green Empowerment Partner since 2004 AIDFI promotes organic agriculture, micro-enterprise, sustainable technologies, children's education and self-reliant community organizations in the Philippines. The organization consists of 21 staff members, and has designed, manufactured and installed ram pumps to deliver water to villages of 20-100 households. AIDFI, created in 1990, has participated in the Green Empowerment micro hydro and solar water pumping trainings. In 2007, AIDFI was awarded an Ashden Award for its use of hydraulic ram pumps to bring water to remote hillside communities. In 2008, AIDFI was nominated for an Energy Globe Award. SIBAT (Wellspring of Science and Technology) “Sibol ng Agham at Teknolohiya“ http://www.sibat.org Location: Quezon City, the Philippines Green Empowerment Partner since 2005 Established as a network of rural and national based organizations in 1984, SIBAT has pioneered development of community-based appropriate technology applications in Philippine rural areas. SIBAT is very strong in sustainable agriculture and has installed 17 micro-hydro electric plants, solar pumps, and wind turbines in various parts of the Philippines. Green Empowerment is helping SIBAT to establish a community-based micro-hydro power project. Yamog (Morning Dew) http://www.yamog.org Location: Mindanao, Philippines Green Empowerment Partner since 2003 Yamog is devoted to local training and enhancing the capabilities of the community to own, manage and run their micro hydro systems. They have worked with the communities of eastern Mindanao in the Philippines for over a decade, integrating community energy projects into potable water, irrigation, and environmental conservation of the watershed. They also study the sociopolitical, economic and environmental situations of communities who are interested in renewable energy. Green Empowerment teamed up with Yamog to win a highly selective GVEP grant which is being used to fund micro hydro, solar water pump, and restoration projects.
BORNEO Partners of Community Organizations (PACOS) http://www.sabah.net.my/PACOS/ Location: Sabah, Borneo Green Empowerment Partner from 2001-2005 Partners of Community Organizations (PACOS) is a non-governmentalorganization based in Sabah, Borneo, established in 1993. They are primarily a "self-determination" organization working with indigenous peoples throughout Sabah. PACOS began as a student activist movement in the early 80s struggling against resource exploitation and human rights violations. PACOS works in five major areas: community organizing and training; community education; socio-economic improvements; popular education; research and database; and native plant resources. They were instrumental in the success of the Long Lawen Micro Hydro project and we hope to support them in developing another project in Sabah, Borneo.
GUATEMALA Fundación Solar http://www.fundacionsolar.org.gt/ Location: Guatemala City, Guatemala Green Empowerment Partner from 2003-2004 Fundacion Solar has promoted renewable energy, provides environmental services and formulated water and energy policy and legislation since 1993. Cooperating wtih public institutions, private organizations and civil society, Fundacion Solar provides studies, consultation, design and implementation of a range of sustainable energy technologies including wind, solar, geothermal, wood saving stoves, and micro hydro projects. They emphasize gender equality and micro-enterprise development. Using an interdisciplinary approach based on sound community development, they have installed over 100 photovoltaic systems for schools, clinics, and homes as well as vaccine refrigeration and rural solar phone services. Green Empowerment assisted with developing the Chel Micro Hydroelectric Project. | 
