The green energy landscape is undergoing a transformative shift through the Green Energy for Women and Youth Resilience in Uganda project.
This groundbreaking initiative, supported by Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC), priorities technical and vocational training to equip women and youth with the skills to lead in the clean energy sector.
In Uganda, women and young people have historically borne the greatest burdens of energy poverty and the environmental risks associated with traditional fuel sources.
Despite this, they remain significantly underrepresented in the green energy workforce. Addressing this gap, the project has crafted inclusive programs that empower 250 women and young people with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to excel in sustainable energy fields.
Training covers clean energy technologies, such as fabricating biomass energy-saving cookstoves and producing eco-friendly briquettes.
In this way, participants not only develop valuable skills but also gain the means to positively impact their communities.
This emphasis on gender and youth inclusion is changing views on economic potential within Uganda's clean energy sector.
Many women participants report that training in green technologies has opened new professional doors. The project balances technical training with gender-sensitive support, offering flexible schedules and resources for mothers to ensure accessibility for all.
Young participants are also benefiting, gaining pathways to green jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities that address both unemployment and environmental challenges.
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One youth trainee explained how expertise in clean energy technologies has provided him with a sense of purpose and equipped him with skills vital in Uganda's job market and essential for a sustainable future.
Prioritising women and youth in this project has helped redefine green energy from a male-dominated field into one of inclusive opportunity.
This approach models how gender- and age-inclusive initiatives in green technology can elevate communities, reduce environmental impacts, and support Uganda's national goals for sustainable growth.
As the project evolves, its legacy of community-centered, inclusive change promises to inspire other regions. By involving women and youth in Uganda's green energy transformation, the project is not only providing essential skills but also planting seeds of resilience, hope, and enduring environmental progress.
