I have been involved in many climate and sustainability projects, but The Bali Women Climate Entrepreneurs project (which has now evolved into The Matangi Bali Project) has been both humbling and exhilarating, unlike any other. Discussions on women, climate, and entrepreneurship has been a journey of discovery – gradually revealing new perspectives and cultivating an atmosphere where trust and empowerment flourish.

“Matangi” directly translates to “wake up” and embodies the essence of reviving Balinese communities and their symbiotic unity with nature. The Matangi Bali Project aims to develop an innovative and entrepreneurial approach to sustainable growth in Bali.

When thoughts turn to Bali, visions of its mesmerizing azure skies, enchanting oceans and stunning architecture immediately come to mind. Indeed, Balinese culture has embraced the ethos of harmonious coexistence with nature. Renowned for its deeply ingrained and rich cultural heritage, this ethos permeates every facet of its community.Despite being entrenched in patriarchal norms and cultural favoritism towards men, the lasting impact of Balinese culture and its identity, which has fuelled a tourism-driven economy to the island, owes much of its influence to the women. Balinese women, who play pivotal roles in various spheres of life – be it within the family, in economic pursuits, or in upholding traditions, are often overlooked. Their culture places the responsibility of shaping the nation’s next generation squarely on the shoulders of mothers to instill cultural values such as moral integrity, spirituality and environmental consciousness.

How will these women, deeply rooted in community values yet constrained by a strong patriarchal system navigate the path towards climate entrepreneurship? It’s a question that invites exploration.

Here are six valuable learnings that have shaped my perspective on this project.

1. Admitting and embracing the unknown

The first and most crucial lesson learned is admitting our own limitations. Rather than succumbing to preconceptions, we chose humility and opted to inquire. We met the women entrepreneurs where they are, seeing the world through their eyes. Understanding the context and cultural nuances has been essential in tailoring our program to the unique challenges women in Bali face.

2.  The art of community and collaboration

To overcome deeply ingrained cultural practices, collaboration with the community is key. The Matangi Bali Project actively contributes to the growth of the community while seeking input from its members. By acknowledging that societal change is a collective effort, we empower women to step into leadership roles and challenge the status quo.

3.  Setting realistic expectations

Navigating the intricacy of Bali’s patriarchal landscape comes with challenges. Setting realistic expectations has been crucial. Our goal was never about changing millenia-old cultural beliefs. Instead, it has always been about recognizing that men and women are capable of equality and that entrepreneurship is a pursuit open to both genders.

For generations, Balinese culture has embraced the ideals of a circular economy. Amid rapid urbanization and burgeoning tourism, these concepts seem to have been overlooked.

Our goal is to shed light on the untapped economic potential inherent in these principles, fostering a diverse range of economic activities across Bali. The profound impact of COVID-19 pandemic, particularly with the cessation of tourism, has understored the urgency of our mission.

We are steadfast in our commitment to position entrepreneurship as a key catalyst for economic resurgence in Bali. While the path might be bumpy, the commitment to progress remains unwavering.

4. Beyond ‘preaching to the choir’

It’s not enough to preach to the perfect-sounding choir. Instead, we orchestrate concerts, inviting others to listen and sing along.

Choosing to become an entrepreneur is a career path that is often frowned upon by many Balinese. Countless individuals have expressed that it can be a solitary journey, which frequently acts as a barrier to actively participate in climate efforts. This applies even more for mothers, who may only find time for such pursuits once everyone else is asleep.

This can compound issues such as diminished self-esteem, resulting in a lack of competitive drive, especially amidst existing biases against local products and services in a landscape heavily influenced by foreign perspectives on sustainability, often perceived as superior or even ideal.

Creating inclusive spaces where diverse voices are heard and valued is crucial for fostering a supportive environment for women entrepreneurs.

5. Respecting women’s agency

We strive to unlock a path where every woman can chart their own course. Empowering these entrepreneurial spirits goes beyond mere encouragement; it’s about honoring their autonomy and granting them the reins to shape their own stories.

Picture this: women juggling countless responsibilities, squeezed for time, and stretched thin by limited budgets. Yet, amid these challenges, they persist, prioritizing the needs of others while silently battling the stigma of environmental indifference. In the northern reaches of Bali, an economically disadvantaged region where meeting basic needs takes precedence, these women are unfairly scapegoated for their plastic usage, despite it being a convenient and affordable option for them.

And did you know? In the realm of waste management education, it’s the women who consistently bear the brunt of blame, their shoulders weighed down by the burden of societal expectations.

These stories form the basis of our understanding for running this critical project . Our role is simple yet important: to stand beside them, offering support as best as we can, to navigate their entrepreneurial journeys with confidence and resilience.

6. Meeting halfway

By continuously assessing the program’s needs, we ensure that we are making a tangible difference in the lives of women entrepreneurs. The impact goes beyond economic success; it extends to personal transformation, newfound confidence, and a deepened sense of belonging within their community.

At each twist and turn, we encounter multiple challenges. It’s a voyage that demands patience, empathy, and a whole lot of collaboration. Despite these challenges, we remain committed to being responsive and resilient. We’re ready to transform the insights gleaned from the grassroots levels to innovative solutions, ensuring we always meet those we support.

As we embark on the second phase of the program, these learnings will serve as our guiding light, propelling us towards innovative solutions despite gender barriers within the climate sector in Bali.

The Matangi Bali Project

The Matangi Bali Project aims to develop an innovative and entrepreneurial approach to sustainable growth  in Bali.

Our journey in Bali began in 2021, where we extended capacity building support to women climate entrepreneurs, fostering innovative solutions despite gender barriers within the climate sector. Recognizing the limitations of solely empowering one group, we have pivoted our approach to encompass broader participation, encouraging all stakeholders – including men, women, youth, government,  and communities – to embrace and cultivate leadership organically. This effort ensures that diverse voices contribute to sustainable solutions addressing climate change effectively. 

This project is initiated by New Energy Nexus Indonesia as part of the Bali Net Zero Emissions Coalition with CAST Foundation, IESR & WRI Indonesia. Matangi Bali  is supported by ClimateWorks Foundation and ViriyaENB.

New Energy Nexus Vietnam is excited to announce the launch of the Women’s Agribusiness Climate Adaptation Accelerator, a program that forms part of the Business Partnerships Platform (BPP) in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.

This initiative is a testament to our commitment to tackling climate change and creating positive outcomes for local communities, with a particular emphasis on empowering women. In collaboration with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the accelerator is one of four new business partnerships launched under the BPP Climate Adaptation Partnerships in the Mekong Delta in November 2023.

Addressing Climate Adaptation and Empowering Communities

The BPP Climate Adaptation Partnerships in the Mekong Delta aim to support the joint efforts of Vietnam and Australia in addressing the challenges posed by climate adaptation. By partnering with inclusive businesses operating in the agriculture sector, these partnerships seek to develop sustainable business models while delivering vital social, gender equality, and development benefits to the Mekong communities. The Women’s Agribusiness Climate Adaptation Accelerator is a key component of this initiative, focusing on empowering women entrepreneurs to overcome climate change-related obstacles and contribute to the region’s resilience.

The Role of the BPP

The Business Partnerships Platform (BPP) supports strategic development outcomes by facilitating partnerships between the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and inclusive, commercially-sustainable businesses. Since its inception in 2016, the BPP has fostered 16 business partnerships in Vietnam, with seven specifically located in the Mekong Delta. These partnerships prioritize gender equality, disability inclusion, social integration, and climate impact, promoting sustainable development and positive change.

Empowering Women through the Accelerator

The Women’s Agribusiness Climate Adaptation Accelerator is a testament to the BPP’s commitment to gender equality and social inclusion. By providing tailored training, mentorship, access to finance, small grants, and networking opportunities, the accelerator aims to empower women entrepreneurs in the Mekong Delta. Through this targeted support, women-led enterprises will be better equipped to navigate climate change challenges, build resilience, and contribute to the economic and social well-being of the region.

Looking Towards a Sustainable Future

As we launch the Women’s Agribusiness Climate Adaptation Accelerator, we invite all stakeholders, including women entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and the community, to join us in creating a sustainable and inclusive future for the Mekong Delta. By harnessing the power of partnerships and supporting women-led enterprises, we can drive positive change, strengthen local economies, and enhance the region’s resilience in the face of climate change.

The launch of the Women’s Agribusiness Climate Adaptation Accelerator under the Business Partnerships Platform (BPP) in the Mekong Delta signifies a significant step towards empowering women entrepreneurs and addressing climate change. This initiative aligns with the joint efforts of Vietnam and Australia to create sustainable, inclusive, and resilient communities. Together, through collaboration and targeted support, we can unlock the potential of women-led enterprises and pave the way for a brighter and more sustainable future in the Mekong Delta.

Stay updated on the Women’s Agribusiness Climate Adaptation Accelerator and other BPP initiatives by visiting our website.

Woman in rural Uganda using a solar-powered lamp

International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the achievements of women and to recognize the challenges that women continue to face around the world. In Uganda, where more than 80 percent of the population lives in rural areas, the lack of access to energy is a major impediment to women’s economic and social empowerment.

Energy poverty in Uganda disproportionately affects women, who often spend hours each day collecting firewood, cooking on open fires, and using kerosene lamps for lighting. This not only puts their health at risk due to exposure to smoke and other pollutants, but it also limits their ability to participate in education, earn a living, and engage in other productive activities.

However, there are efforts underway to improve access to energy in Uganda, particularly through the use of renewable energy sources such as solar power. Distributed solar energy is particularly well-suited to rural areas because it is easy to install, low-maintenance, and does not require a connection to the national power grid. In Uganda, New Energy Nexus supports last mile clean energy entrepreneurs to deliver low cost and high quality entry-level clean energy technologies.

ENVENTURE helps women in northern Uganda to learn how to start a clean energy business.

Supporting woman entrepreneurs in Uganda’s last mile communities.

The majority of entrepreneurs we support at New Energy Nexus Uganda are women and 70% of the jobs created by our entrepreneurs are taken by women. Ultimately, the majority of these women have testified that their quality of live has improved due to access and use of these high-quality energy products in their households,, and those involved in Village Savings and Loan Schemes (VSLS) have increased their financial savings due to lower energy costs.

New Energy Nexus also teaches women entrepreneurs recordkeeping skills as part of its curriculum. We created the ENVision platform, an open-source web-based application to track inventory, sales, and orders in 2G and Edge networks for low-literate sales agents and micro-entrepreneurs. This helps women entrepreneurs to manage their sales and performance more effectively, and allows us to receive real-time product updates to help monitor and measure success. This also ensures that entrepreneurs don’t lose time and information on their businesses through cloud-based storage.

We put justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our work.

Efforts to improve access to energy in Uganda are still in their early stages, but the progress that has been made is encouraging. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let us recognize the important role that access to energy plays in women’s empowerment and support the organizations and initiatives that are working to improve energy access in Uganda and the Global South. By doing so, we can help to create a more just, equitable and inclusive world for women and girls everywhere which is possible if we work with diverse clean energy entrepreneurs with a focus on women.

New Energy Nexus Indonesia officially announces 10 startups that will join the Bali Women Climate Entrepreneur Project. This acceleration and incubation program offers four months of tailored business support for women-led climate entrepreneurs in Bali to enhance their business. With this program, New Energy Nexus Indonesia aims to close the gender gap and increase women’s participation in  clean energy and climate solutions sectors, helping to improve women’s response and adaptation to climate change.

The Bali Women Climate Entrepreneur Project is supported by the ClimateWorks Foundation and is part of the Bali Climate and Development Initiative (initiated by New Energy Nexus Indonesia, WRI Indonesia, and IESR). The project runs in collaboration with Pratisara Bumi Foundation.

“There are undeniably still many challenges women have to face in the climate space, but we hope that these 10 incredible startups with females in leadership positions will inspire the next generation of women to begin their journey toward making a difference.” Rainy Putri, Program Manager at New Energy Nexus Indonesia and  Co-Leader of this project.

Women are paving the way to become leaders in their communities. From early ideas to later-stage, here are the 10 startups selected to be part of the project.

Griya Luhu

Aims to change people’s behaviour and awareness of sustainable waste management using user-friendly and straightforward mobile applications to help improve waste segregation at home. Learn more about Griya Luhu.

Prawita Tasya, Executive Director & Co-founder, Biorock Indonesia

Biorock Indonesia

Engages with local communities and the government to protect and restore coral reefs so these underwater ecosystems can thrive, while also  providing livelihood and economic benefits to  local communities. Learn more about Biorock Indonesia.

PT. Kolaborasi Bumi Pertiwi

Aims to replace coal with “imitation” coal that contains more heat calories than real coal.

GO EV

Offers a digital platform to rent electric vehicles in Bali at affordable prices.

Go Sustainable

Aims to increase public awareness of environmental impact  from food production by encouraging restaurants to add a  ‘climatarian’ menu (ingredients used must be plant-based, locally sourced, unprocessed, minimally packaged, and organic).

Bendega

Aims to empower coastal communities and fishers with knowledge, facilitation, training, and support with IT tools to adopt green-blue habits.

Nadea Nabilla, Co-founder at Azura (right) with local fisherfolk in Bali.

“Seeing the environmental damage worsen especially in coastal areas like Bali, we aim to empower coastal communities and fishers with knowledge, facilitation, training, and support with IT tools to adopt green-blue habits. As the only female leader among my colleagues, I truly believe that an inclusive environment, as well as being surrounded by supportive male allies can significantly improve our business and create a greater impact for the community.” Nungky Adzani, CMO at Bendega. Learn more about Bendega.

Tri Hita Consulting

Encourages and supports their clients to create an impact through sustainable business practices, deployment of green technology, policies to promote the energy transition, and sustainable investment in Southeast Asia’s emerging markets. .

360E.io

Aims to herald a new era of green investments with an intuitive and easy-to-use app that lets you perform all green investment transactions on the go. Learn more about 360E.io.

Gumitri

Acts as an intermediary between organic rice farmers and the market to support organic farming practices and food security in local villages.

Azura Indonesia

Delivers a solution for the coastal community with their MantaOne electric long-tail boat engine – offsetting 345 kilograms  of carbon footprint per month. Learn more about Azura Indonesia.

“Bali is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Indonesia. Considering its potential and emerging opportunities in climate sectors, such as sustainable tourism, we need to make sure that female talents in the sectors are able to fully participate in the shift toward sustainable tourism in Bali.” Diyanto Imam, Program Director, New Energy Nexus Indonesia.

In 2018, Indonesian women made up only 12% of all STEM graduates. In the global energy industry, only 11% of energy startup founders are women – these statistics need to change. As a pioneering clean energy and climate innovation ecosystem builder, New Energy Nexus Indonesia is breaking the status quo. The Bali Women Climate Entrepreneur Project is only the beginning of our efforts to disrupt the rooted beliefs that the clean energy and climate tech sectors are the ‘boys club’.

About New Energy Nexus Indonesia

New Energy Nexus is the world’s leading ecosystem of funds and accelerators supporting diverse clean energy entrepreneurs, from emerging tech through to clean energy deployment and adoption. In Indonesia, New Energy Nexus works to support the development of ecosystems that can support the needs of innovators, startups, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders in the clean energy and climate solutions sectors.

Learn more: New Energy Nexus Indonesia.

What are the unique challenges and hurdles women face to become clean energy entrepreneurs? What needs to be done to break down these structural barriers? And what advice do other women in the clean energy ecosystem have for up and coming talent? We asked some experts around the world at New Energy Nexus.

Only 20% of global startups are led by women (2019), while women represent only 32% of the workforce in the renewable energy sector. 

The challenges are social, cultural and financial…

In the United States, female founders remain far behind their male counterparts in raising venture capital. According to an article published by Bloomberg: “Female founders secured only 2% of venture capital in the U.S. in 2021, the smallest share since 2016 and a sign that efforts to diversify the famously male-dominated industry are struggling.” This means that women need to find alternate means of raising the funds to support the development and commercialization of their innovations. 

‘’Considering these hurdles, incubators, accelerators and other government programs are working hard to deliver funding, education and resources at the right time to female entrepreneurs to close this gap. NEX is on the forefront of this mission, seeking to provide critical support to a diversity of entrepreneurs so that they can be successful despite lack of venture capital funding.’’ – Tenley Dalstrom, Director at CalTestBed (our California program)

Mia Perez of Solarwise PH, a startup that offers a centralized one-stop online platform linking solar customers, installers & suppliers, supported by NEX Philippines.

In the Philippines and India, the socio-cultural conditioning and gender biases significantly disadvantage women in business, especially in the energy sector, which is perceived to be a male-dominated industry. Another challenge is the lack of strong women role models in the industry to look up to or engage with as mentors.

”There are still informal and social myths and constraints that women face which can stem from lack of strong women role models in energy entrepreneurship to societal expectations that women are less likely to bear harsh working conditions’’ – Brenda Valerio, NEX Philippines Program Manager 

In Uganda, some of the main challenges faced by female entrepreneurs are related to access to training. Most women entrepreneurs hesitate to start clean energy enterprises due to beliefs that they should have expertise in manufacturing and repairing clean energy products. They are unsure of the requirements by financial institutions and ways in which they can access financing for energy related businesses. This has resulted in the under-representation of women at all levels in the energy sector. 

‘’Financial structural impediments to gender equality translate into barriers to access investment capital. Most financial institutions require assets for one to access credit, yet in the past women were denied property ownership rights to their father’s assets which limits their access to credit’’ – Mackline Banaga, Program Analyst at ENVenture (powered by New Energy Nexus)

Heather Hochrein, Founder and CEO of EVmatch, said “This Rapid Response grant will immediately strengthen EVmatch’s ability to sustain our community-based EV charging network and grow our network at multi-family residential properties throughout California.”

How does NEX support women entrepreneurs?

A 100% clean energy economy for 100% of people requires us to rebalance the scales of power and money: shifting resources to support innovation where it’s needed most, empowering those traditionally excluded from the start-up ecosystem, and focusing on clean energy adoption as much as clean energy innovation. That’s why striving for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion is fundamental to our mission.

The New Energy Nexus California Programs, CalSEED and CalTestBed, support women and entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities, via an “equity in – equity out” framework. Both programs are committed to ensuring diverse communities across California have the opportunity to participate in the development and implementation of their clean energy solutions. To achieve this goal, the teams actively conduct targeted outreach to ensure that the applicant pool is representative of all Californians. Entrepreneurs are also encouraged to explore innovative ways to bring equitable and impactful clean energy solutions and opportunities to California’s most disadvantaged populations.

NEX California was also awarded a Wells Fargo/National Renewable Energy Lab IN2 Rapid Response grant to support underrepresented entrepreneurs affected by the covid-19 pandemic who contribute significant social impact. The awardees for these grants were female founders who each received US$15,000 non-dilutive grants, networking, and professional development that helped them survive the challenges posed by the pandemic. ‘

In the Philippines, NEX events are designed to incorporate safe spaces where everyone can voice their opinions and insights. The team constantly seeks feedback from the participants on how they can be better supported and create more impact. 

Saikrishna Mohanty of Solar Infra, a startup supported by NEX India in partnership with Climate Collective

NEX India supports aspiring women graduates and university students to take up entrepreneurship in clean energy and energy access through a unique startup simulation approach. NEX India also runs early stage accelerator programs for women-led startups in clean energy and energy access to bridge knowledge gaps, build business literacy, build networks and increase confidence to scale up.

‘’NEX India has built an integrated approach to run programs that support a higher number of women to take up entrepreneurship in clean energy and energy access. They support women-led startups in early stages to build capacity and ensure diverse pipelines’’ – Jui Joshi, NEX India Program Lead, Women in Energy Entrepreneurship

ENVenture, powered by New Energy Nexus offers women entrepreneurs business management training, mentorship and coaching programs aimed at improving their business acumen skills and giving them practical experience to run sustainable energy enterprises in the last mile. An effective a loan product has also been designed with women in mind, to address traditional impediments of access to capital. 

‘’We prioritize women and create an environment for them to start sustainable businesses by providing them renewable energy stock loans, cash to boost, accelerate, and grow their clean energy businesses. For instance, 70% of our enterprises in our program are women-led’’ – Robert Birungi, Head of Credit at ENVenture, powered by New Energy Nexus

What advice do you have for women entrepreneurs with a clean energy idea or want to create a startup?

Rose Juliet Tabu, a clean energy entrepreneur selling cookstoves and solar supported by NEX in the Bidi refugee settlement in West Nile.

The three pieces of advice were repeated by experts from across New Energy Nexus:

• Build your network: join professional organizations that are focused on your field, participate in webinars, networking events, make contacts, and follow up.
• Nurture a team of mentors and champions: It is important to build these relationships through authentic interactions, rather than transactional requests. Make sure you bring something to the table instead of only asking for help.
• Know your stuff: Make sure that you understand what problem your innovation is solving, the stakeholders involved, your product-market fit, the details of your technology, impact goals, technology readiness level and next steps toward commercialization.

According to the World Bank Gender performance indicator report (2013), women perform better in loan repayment as compared to their male counterparts. They should believe in themselves and be confident enough to acquire credit to start clean energy businesses. Also, one doesn’t necessarily need the technical expertise in manufacturing and repairing clean energy products to run a successful clean energy business, just basic business literacy and understanding of business models is essential. Thus women should step up and start up clean energy businesses being at the forefront of increasing energy access. 

If you’re a woman entrepreneur with a clean energy or climate  innovation waiting to take off, get in touch and check out our programs around the world!

Women-founded and led startups are receiving more attention in Southeast Asia, but they still represent a very small fraction. This is the focus of a webinar bringing together entrepreneurs and experts at “Women Empowerment in Southeast Asia’s Clean Energy Economy” virtual meetup on 9 March, one day after International Women’s Day.

The situation in Southeast Asia reflects a global trend: only 20% of global startups are led by women (2019), while women represent only 32% of the workforce in the renewable energy sector. Exploring the barriers to women-led climate entrepreneurship, as well as the support up-and-coming women entrepreneurs can tap into will be crucial to ensure the benefits of clean energy and climate solutions are distributed more equitably and sustainably.

Hosted by New Energy Nexus, the panel of speakers includes representatives from startups, supporting organizations, and venture capital: 

• Chi Trinh is the Vietnam Country Manager of Clime Capital. Clime Capital identifies and creates investment opportunities founded on long-term, stable cash flow assets that contribute towards reducing climate change impacts, alleviating infrastructure gaps, and building sustainable economies.
• Laurie B. Navarro is the President of CSi Energy Solutions International. CSi is a consulting company on energy and environment based in the Philippines and providing services in the region. 
• Maaike Doyer is founder of Epic Angels – a network of female executives and operators who have built and expanded multiple companies in all parts of the world. Epic Angels has the ambition to become the largest female-only angel network in Asia. 
• Mada Ayu Habsari is Managing Director of PT. Enertec Mitra Solusi – a women-led startup based in Indonesia that is focusing on energy service, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. Enertec started its journey as an energy services company with the focus of providing energy efficiency solutions on existing buildings and retrofit public facilities.
• Phattanan Supasatian, Chief Executive Officer, Godung Faifaa – a new online market that collects complete solar system equipment.
• Stanley Ng is the Southeast Asia Program Director at New Energy Nexus – an international nonprofit that supports diverse clean energy entrepreneurs with funds, accelerators, and networks.

Topics covered in the virtual meet up:

1. Opportunities and challenges for women-led clean energy and climate startups and enterprises
2. Perspective on the performance of women-led clean energy and climate startups and enterprises
3. Supports available from the community for clean energy and climate female founders, entrepreneurs, and innovators

​Register at: https://bit.ly/WomenEmpowerment22 

About New Energy Nexus:

New Energy Nexus (NEX) is an international nonprofit supporting diverse climate entrepreneurs to accelerate the transition to 100% clean energy for 100% of the population. New Energy Nexus provides funds, accelerators and networks, with initiatives in China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Uganda and the USA.

Media contact: Tristan Tremschnig, Global Communications Director, New Energy Nexus, tristan.tremschnig@newenergynexus.com (based in Hong Kong)

Rambu Yati Radandima, a finance manager in Indonesian start-up Sumba Sustainable Solutions (3S), is giving back to her community. A start-up with a focus on inclusive and sustainable innovations in Sumba Island, 3S provides local schools, villages and community health centres with access to solar power.

Rambu Yati’s work has personal meaning. She knows what it’s like to live without reliable access to electricity. Sumba, an island in the East Nusa Tenggara Province of Indonesia, has a unique geographical character that makes tapping into the national electricity grid difficult. In the past, over 500,000 families living there—roughly 38% of the island’s population—struggled with little or no electricity.

Rambu Yati says: “Life in the village was very different. Back in the 90s, my family relied on kerosene lamps to light up our home when we cooked or when we wove palm mats. We had to manually pound rice and corns because we had no access to milling machines.”

While the Indonesian government committed to electrifying the entire country by 2020 (RUEN 2017)[1], only 62% of the East Nusa Tenggara population has access to electricity, the lowest energy access level in Indonesia (IESR, 2019).

Stepping stones

In 2000, Rambu Yati enrolled in the Warmadewa University in Bali. She successfully graduated with an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Science. Today, as finance manager at 3S, Rambu Yati is involved in solving energy access issues in her community by providing solar-powered technologies to local institutions. An ethical, profitable business, 3S’s work focuses on bridging the energy gap in rural communities.

The distribution of solar-powered lighting solutions has significantly improved Rambu Yati’s community. Today, Sumba’s children can finally do their homework and study at night. Power has also improved people’s livelihoods, allowing more hours for local artisans to weave tenun ikat, a traditional handwoven fabric. Unique to Sumba, tenun ikat is part of Indonesia’s artistic heritage.

Mission for productivity

3S also provides solar systems for people’s homes and solar-powered productivity centres, which are energy hubs for the community. These solutions are powering livelihoods in Sumba by enabling villagers to mill crops and process bamboo. They are not only making people’s livelihoods more sustainable but are also improving the quality of life for many women in Sumba.

Before, women had to spend several hours a day pounding corn and were left with just half a day free. The solar-powered productivity centres enable villagers to make better use of their time. The men take corn to the mill while the women shell candlenut, which they can later sell at a higher price.

Renewable energy is also saving money and improving people’s health. According to the Indonesian Central Agency of Statistics, villagers typically spend 10% of their monthly living costs on expensive fossil-fuel-based lighting, like kerosene lamps, which emit harmful fumes that can damage the lungs.

With solar-power solutions, Sumba’s villagers now have a greatly reduced electricity bill. Rambu Ina is one of 3S’s local customers. She says: “In the past, we only used the kerosene candle for one hour because it was too expensive. In the evenings, now I have light for four or more hours. At night, often we sit around and talk to our neighbours while shelling our candlenuts or working on woven palm mats to be sold at the market.”

Work in progress

Rambu Yati aspires to keep helping Sumba’s local communities to access renewable energy, so they can increase their incomes and afford a better education for their children. Ensuring 3S has operational and financial sustainability is crucial so they can maintain the solar home systems and solar-powered productivity centres that the villagers depend on.

Like many other start-up employees, Rambu Yati struggled with data collection and creating a balance sheet that was fundamental to 3S’s growth. That’s where New Energy Nexus stepped in.

New Energy Nexus connected Rambu Yati and her colleagues to experts in HR, marketing communications and finance, through a programme called Mentor-in-Residence. Thanks to this programme, Rambu Yati now has the essential resources and skills to move forward. She can confidently draft financial forecasts to determine what the start-up needs to scale up, and ultimately, empower more villages with renewable energy.

3S is no longer a start-up struggling to survive but a sustainable business instilled with a healthy company culture that upholds transparency and communications between team members and stakeholders. And the skills Rambu Yati has learned in areas like communications are helping her nurture a new generation of skilled workers on the island.

She says: “Before we started with the New Energy Nexus accelerator, we were just dealing with problems as they came up, feeling like there must a better way. With New Energy Nexus’ guidance, we now have a clear plan for all parts of the business and our whole team is committed to achieving the goals that we have set together.

“I feel that we now have a shared responsibility to make our company vision and mission—to empower rural communities through access to energy and appliances for productive use—a success.”

[1] Indonesia’s National Energy Plan (Rencana Umum Energi Nasional (RUEN)).