Solar Sister is a finalist in the 2024 Ashden Awards!
Solar Sister is among one of sixteen outstanding organizations delivering innovative climate solutions that have reached the finals of the prestigious 2024 Ashden Awards.
Over 500 organizations applied for the 2024 Ashden Awards, and Solar Sister is one of just two finalists in the “Powering Futures in Clean Energy” category after a rigorous assessment and selected by panels of expert judges, including academics, investors, civil society leaders, and journalists.
Award winners will be announced in June during London Climate Action Week.
Our conviction is that enhancing gender equity in last-mile communities hinges on equipping Solar Sister Entrepreneurs with the essential knowledge, skills, and self-confidence. This empowerment enables them to establish, maintain, and expand their clean energy ventures. Unfortunately, women in these remote communities often lack access to the necessary business training and continuous mentorship, which would provide them with the agency and competencies required to initiate a clean energy enterprise and thrive as entrepreneurs. We believe that through targeted, agency-based business training that fosters self-confidence, we can provide local women with the same opportunities as men, thereby advancing gender equity.”
Globally, nearly 698 million people live in extreme poverty, earning less than $1.90 USD daily, and lack access to basic needs. Affordable, reliable electricity can boost productivity, create jobs, and enhance socioeconomic conditions. Yet, 774 million people lack energy access, with 597 million in sub-Saharan Africa, disproportionately affecting women and children. Energy poverty forces women to spend hours weekly collecting fuel, impacting their safety, health, and economic opportunities, as well as taking girls out of school.
“The real catalyst of Solar Sister is recognizing that women are not only beneficiaries of energy access but also the key agents of change in achieving the energy transition. In millions of homes worldwide, women manage their daily energy decisions. Those daily choices drive the clean energy future for all of us.”
Katherine Lucey, CEO, Solar Sister
Solar Sister’s impact has been impressive. We have reached 4.7 million people in last-mile communities with access to clean energy, mitigated 1.6 million metric tons of CO2e, and trained more than 10,000 women in three countries in Africa. Eighty-four percent of entrepreneurs report being financially better off than twelve months ago and one-third of our entrepreneurs have started at least one additional business since joining Solar Sister.
“We’re thrilled with this year’s Ashden Awards finalists. They’re brimming with epic climate ambition – ambition to slash global emissions and transform our world. They’re also pioneers of climate justice, building a world that’s fairer and greener. It’s no surprise to find these two qualities together: when it comes to climate action, they go hand-in-hand.
Change happens faster when more people believe in it, back it, and enjoy the benefits. We’re really proud to celebrate these organizations, and urge investors, funders, and policymakers to support them too,” said Dr. Stephen Hall, Head of Awards.
Ashden, a UK charity, has been spotlighting transformative climate solutions for more than 20 years through its prestigious Awards scheme.
