Ashden launched its call for entries for the 2018 Ashden Awards, offering the chance for sustainable energy pioneers in Africa to receive global recognition and up to £20,000 each for their efforts.
Entry is free and the process will culminate in 10 winners being presented with their Award at a prestigious ceremony at the Royal Geographical Society in central London on June 14, 2018.
Winners of the Ashden Award receive not only prize money but wide-ranging package of support from Ashden. This support is tailor-made to their needs which can include business support, introductions to policymakers, potential funders and investors, and sharing of expertise.
In the International Awards categories, there is a new Sustainable Energy and Health Award in 2018 recognising organisations making a direct improvement to people’s health or supporting health service provision through the use of sustainable energy. Other Awards will focus on Sustainable Transport and Mobility, as well as Powering Business and Innovation in Finance for delivering sustainable energy.
Ashden also wants to hear from trailblazing sustainable energy enterprises and programs that are improving energy access in areas where markets for sustainable energy products and services are under-developed and energy access rates are low, including in humanitarian settings.
African winners of this year’s Ashden Awards included PEG Africa who are a driving force for pay-as-you-go solar energy in West Africa and Future pump, manufacturer of a low-cost portable solar irrigation pump being used by smallholder farmers in Kenya.