GESI Component

The project has been mainstreaming GESI at every steps. GESI Action Plan of RERL has been implemented in all stages of the mini hydro cycle which requires 30% participation of women in decision making bodies and 30% participants in capacity development activities. So far 35% women in their Executive Committees both in solar mini grid (SMG) and mini hydro (MHP) projects.

In addition, the project helps identify potential enterprises that can engage women in the communities where MHP and SMG are operational. As of now, women and members of marginalized communities were encouraged to engage in regular saving and credit schemes and over 3000 women are involved in 200 groups which is more than 91% of the total members. 

Furthermore, project requires electricity access to 30,500 households out of which 30% have to be from marginalized groups such as female headed, below poverty line and disadvantaged groups as defined by the GoN. As the energy projects built under RERL are located at remote off-grid areas, most of the households fall within the aforementioned three categories. Out of 21,409 households served by the 9 completed SMGs or 7 MHPs that are completed, under construction or planned to be initiated soon, 12% are women headed, 53% belong to DAG and 18% belong to BPL.

The project has provided cooperative management, financial literacy, social mobilization, basic accounting and enterprise development trainings for 2,073 members of cooperatives of whom 1,534 were women which is 61% of the total participants. 

Women are supported to access additional fund based on AEPC subsidy policy and delivery mechanism. Further, women are also supported on skill development, book-keeping and financial management, access to finance and other services necessary to establish and operate businesses. So far, RERL has supported to establish 380 enterprises out of mainly in SMG projects, out of which 155 or 41% are women led and provide employment to 561 people of whom 258 or 46% are women.