This post was originally published by Empower Generation, which merged with Pollinate Energy to form Pollinate Group in 2018.
Before 2014 runs away from us, we thought now could be a good time to reflect and share some of our activities. There’s been a lot happening and we’re really proud to share these highlights:
- We welcomed our fourth solar retail business; Ujyalo Mithila Solar is led by Runa Jha and is located in Janakpur, Nepal. Runa and her sales agents have already sold 150 lamps.
- Three new solar retail businesses were launched in September in the far western region of Nepal. Nava Urjah Center, Isharika Urjah Trade Center and Namuna Sourya Urhah started in partnership with Mercy Corps, funded by UKAID.
- The EmpowerGrid solar distribution network has grown to total of seven clean energy enterprises run by nine women entrepreneurs, employing more than fifty women and girls as solar sales agents!
- We held a 3-day Business Skills and Sales and Marketing Training course in Kailali for 30 girls, in partnership with Mercy Corps, funded by UKAID. Our three Kailali businesses hired thirteen of the trainees (some of the girls pictured above) to work as their solar sales agents!
- Kalpavriksha Greater Goods just ordered 18,000 solar lights from d.Light, as their exclusive wholesale distributor in Nepal. We’re so proud of Chief Entrepreneur, Sita Adhikari!
- We are in the top five in the energy category for a Katerva Award. Katerva is the ‘Nobel Prize in sustainable innovation’ so we’re thrilled to be a finalist.
In addition to recognising some shining moments of late, we’re pretty excited to see Empower Generation growing!
In Nepal we warmly welcome Kabita Subedi as Empower Generation’s Program Manager and Sitaram Paudel as Empower Generation’s Financial Officer. In the US we welcome John String and Jake Levine to our Board of Directors, and we’re also proud to welcome the first two official members of our Advisory Board, Eric Claire and Nancy Sternoff.
We also want to recognize the following people who’ve rolled up their sleeves lately and helped us get stuff done! Thank you to Khalad Allen, Ben Bearnot, Kevin Chan, Grace Chang, Chloe Chapman, Maggie Cleland, Lillian de Vrijer, Kristy Dixon, Jessica Fjeld, Malachi Garff, Spencer Goodfriend, Kim Morton, Stephanie Newsom, Zoe Quint, Luca Silveira and Jun Ye.
If you’re interested in working with us in Nepal, or helping us fundraise in the US or Europe, please contact us!