More than a billion people do not have access to reliable, affordable and clean energy. This affects negatively on their health, education, livelihoods and employment. Green and Inclusive Energy is Hivos’ new five-year strategic partnership with the Dutch government, launched at the beginning of 2016 to help remedy this situation.

The Green and Inclusive Energy partnership focuses on lobby and advocacy that will influence the public and political debate on energy, with the ultimate aim of transitioning toward greener and more inclusive energy systems. Only then, will renewable energy become more available and widespread, so that the energy needs of women and men are met for their daily activities, livelihoods, education and health, creating economic opportunities and growth whilst mitigating climate change.

The programme’s nucleus is built on cooperation with and capacity strengthening of national civil society to effectively advocate in favour of green and inclusive policies.  It will link and influence the energy policies at international, regional and national level.

Its strong focus on lobby seeks to influence ‘citizen agency’ and public debate to help push the transition from centralised energy production based on fossil fuels towards more decentralised and inclusive energy systems in which citizens take central stage.

The inclusive component of the partnership is geared toward improving family health, food supplies and income, and increasing opportunities for women that will allow them greater and more productive participation in politics, society and the economy.

In this partnership, Hivos works together with ENERGIA, IIED and national civil society organisations in Indonesia, Nepal, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Nicaragua and Guatemala. The programme also mobilises local civil society to execute their own effective lobby strategies.

The programme is the product of the Citizen Agency Consortium formed by Hivos, the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and Article19 in January 2015 that aims to strengthen civil society through capacity development of their lobby and advocacy skills.

The consortium is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Dialogue and Dissent programme, and by extension, the Dutch embassies in the countries in which the consortium is active.