Mindanao Young Energy Transition Changemakers

The Young Energy Transition Changemakers Program aims to empower youth leaders in Mindanao to actively participate in the transition towards a more sustainable energy future. By engaging Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) leaders, Senior High School (SHS) students, and other youth leaders, the program seeks to develop community-level just energy transition roadmaps and prototype low-cost, renewable energy projects. These initiatives are vital towards achieving Mindanao's goal of a 50% renewable energy mix by 2030.

Objectives

1. Foster leadership skills among participants to effectively engage their communities in energy transition initiatives.

2. Develop community-level energy transition roadmaps tailored to the unique needs and resources of Mindanao.

3. Facilitate the design and implementation of prototype low-cost, community-level renewable energy projects in order to contribute to Mindanao's efforts to achieve a 50% renewable energy mix by 2030.

Program Components

1. Capacity Building Workshops:

   • Renewable Energy Technologies: Workshops to educate participants about various renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass, emphasizing their applications in community settings.

   • Leadership and Project Management: Training sessions focused on developing leadership skills, project planning, budgeting, and implementation strategies.

   • Community Engagement: Sessions on effective communication, stakeholder engagement, and grassroots mobilization to garner community support for energy transition initiatives.

2. Community Consultations and Mapping:

   • Conduct community consultations to understand local energy needs, challenges, and opportunities.

   • Utilize participatory mapping techniques to identify potential sites for renewable energy projects and assess resource availability.

3. Roadmap Development:

   • Collaborate with participants to draft community-level energy transition roadmaps outlining short-term and long-term goals, action plans, and timelines.

   • Incorporate feedback from community members, experts, and stakeholders to ensure inclusivity and feasibility.

4. Prototype Project Design and Implementation:

   • Form project teams consisting of participants and technical experts to design prototype renewable energy projects tailored to the needs of selected communities.

   • Provide technical assistance, mentorship, and resources to support project implementation.

   • Monitor and evaluate project progress, identifying lessons learned and best practices for replication.

5. Knowledge Exchange and Networking:

   • Organize forums, webinars, and knowledge-sharing sessions to facilitate learning and exchange of experiences among participants.

   • Foster partnerships with local government units, academic institutions, NGOs, and renewable energy stakeholders to enhance project sustainability and scalability.

Expected Outcomes

• Empowered youth leaders equipped with knowledge, skills, and confidence to drive energy transition initiatives in their communities.

• Community-level energy transition roadmaps developed with active participation from stakeholders, guiding sustainable development efforts.

• Successful implementation of prototype renewable energy projects serving as models for replication across Mindanao.

• Increased awareness and engagement of youth in renewable energy advocacy and climate action.

• Contribution to Mindanao's progress towards achieving a 50% renewable energy mix by 2030, fostering sustainable development and resilience.

References:

There is Such a Thing as Too Much, Too Fast: Avoiding ‘Mismatched Expectations’ in Off-Grid Energy Investing (NextBillion, 2017)

How a New Breed of Distributed Energy Services Companies can Reach 500M Energy-poor Customers within a Decade (Bardouille &Muench, 2014) 

Distributed Energy Services Companies Project Summary (African Development Bank, 2019)