APACE VFEG Annual Report 2003
APACE VFEG activities were directed at further capacity building and institutional strengthening in Pacific communities, in line with the continuing objective for endogenous development of indigenous societies, particularly Melanesian communities, through appropriate energy technology transfer. Specific activities included:
1. Strengthening of the Solomon Islands Village Electrification Council (SIVEC):
SIVEC is the only community-initiated energy institution operating effectively in the Pacific, and is foundered on the 'bottom-up" approach with cultural and traditional principles paramount, including traditional land custodianship. SIVEC has grown out of the successful APACE models of rural energy supply over the past 20 years.
In the past year, facilitations of participatory processes by Earth Trust's APACE VFEG division have led to improvements in the structure and operations of SIVEC. For example,
(a) the inclusion of a specific policy on gender-and-energy within the SIVEC Constitution. SIVEC is currently the only implementing energy institution in the Pacific with such a policy;
(b) the development of a National Action Plan for SIVEC, encompassing the needs of the 50 SI electoral constituencies;
(c) the election of new Office Bearers for the SIVEC Executive Committee, including 3 women. There is perhaps no other NGO in Solomon Islands with similar gender representation;
(d) the convening of a Seminar of SIVEC planning, in which a record 75 Government and community leaders from five SI Provinces participated with enthusiasm over five days despite sweltering conditions;
(e) counterpart management of SIVEC Office processes, in which a major rural electrification project and four prefeasibility studies were coordinated. A detailed feasibility study visit was also coordinated, a radio network project designed and costed, a week-long staff training Seminar planned, managed and facilitated;
(f) the development of fundraising capacity, culminating in the external funding of Malaitan participants' attendance at the Staff Training Seminar and the National "Village Energy for Nation Building" planning Seminar;
(g) the strengthening of SIVEC's international linkages, including an action plan for PNG's Village Electrification Council developed in consultation with SIVEC and West Papuan leaders.
2. Development of energy implementation capacity in Solomon Islands:
The APACE VFEG Team in Solomon Islands gained further formal and informal knowledge and experience throughout the year. A week long Staff Training Seminar covered all aspects of the team's operations, including awareness of business planning issues. The roles and responsibilities for field work and reporting, discussed at the Seminar, were complemented by the action learning inherent in the conduct of four pre-feasibility studies in Small Malaita. These studies constitute the first experience in which all aspects of a pre-feasibility study have been localised.
The team were also involved for the first time in a full feasibility study in Guadalcanal, made possible through the return to relative peace and normalcy in that Province.
As well, the construction of two village-owned and village-operated micro hydroelectric power systems was completed as development projects.
3. Pacific Regional Gender, Energy and Sustainable Development Workshop:
APACE VFEG was a key participant in the international workshop in Nadi, by virtue of its track record, and its membership of the International Gender-and-Energy network "Energia" (as Pacific node).
4. Founding of the PEG network.
APACE VFEG, through Donnella Bryce, was a founding member of the Pacific Energy Group network, that has led to the above workshop as well as other initiatives for community-based energy.
5. Production of "Eight Steps to Village Electrification" Manuals:
These manuals represent a clear pathway for indigenous communities towards development through renewable energy, and culminate a process of learning over APACE project cycle models. The 8-step process provides a central focus for local ownership of the project cycle, given effective power to traditional owners and recipients.
6. VanVEC:
Agreement by stakeholders for the establishment of a ni-Vanuatu Village Electrification Council.
7. Consolidation of APACE VFEG systems and procedures within the structure of Earth Trust.
8. Energia Journal:
APACE VFEG, through Donnella Bryce, became the local editor for the current issue of Energia's international Journal and Newsletter, which focusses specifically on Pacific models for gender-in-energy.
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