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Executive summary
This report presents findings from a capacity assessment conducted by Community Empowerment for Creative Innovation (CECI Uganda) under the SUSTAINED project in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement and Yumbe District, Uganda. The study assessed the capacities of community-based groups, including Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), cooperatives, and farmer groups, to promote the uptake and utilization of renewable energy technologies, with a focus on clean cookstoves (CCS) and the productive use of energy (PUE). The assessment employed a mixed-methods approach, including household surveys with 383 group members, six focus group discussions, and 13 key informant interviews with group leaders, project staff, and a financial service provider.
Findings reveal a high level of awareness and demand for renewable energy solutions. An overwhelming 96.3% of respondents expressed a need for energy-related technologies, particularly solar lighting and clean cookstoves. Awareness of benefits, such as cost savings, improved health, and environmental conservation, is widespread, with training sessions and group meetings serving as the main sources of knowledge. However, actual adoption remains limited: only 41.5% of respondents reported using renewable energy for productive purposes, and many households still rely on traditional stoves and low-cost, non-durable solutions.
Key challenges include the high upfront cost of products, lack of affordable financing, limited availability of quality technologies, and inadequate after-sales support. Only 24.8% of respondents accessed financial support for renewable energy in the past year, with high interest rates and low awareness acting as major barriers. Gender and inclusion dynamics also shape adoption: while women and youth actively participate in group activities and decision-making, they face barriers related to workload, lack of collateral, and limited information access. Despite these challenges, participants consistently emphasized the potential benefits of renewable energy, including reduced household expenses, improved livelihoods, and enhanced social cohesion.
The assessment concludes that meaningful uptake of renewable energy technologies can only be achieved by addressing affordability, accessibility, and inclusivity barriers. Recommendations include: (1) developing tailored loan products and installment-based financing with VSLAs and microfinance institutions; (2) establishing last-mile distribution hubs with after-sales services; subsidizing quality products to reduce cost barriers; (3) strengthening community-based training and demonstrations; and (4) ensuring gender-responsive interventions that prioritize women, youth, and marginalized groups. By leveraging community structures and market systems, the SUSTAINED project can catalyze inclusive, sustainable energy adoption in both refugee and host communities in Yumbe District.