We are delighted to announce that we have awarded Organisational Grants to charities Build It International and Renewable World.
Following our application and interview process, the organisations were selected from 33 applications we received from around the world. Both Build It International and Renewable World will receive £30,000 funding per year for three years to put towards their important work in the human development sector.
Celia Way, Trustee of the Happold Foundation, said, “We were impressed by the quality of the applications for the Foundation’s Organisational Grant, the standard was high and it was a tough decision to make. We are now looking forward to seeing how both Built It International and Renewable World will be able to consolidate and expand their work with the help of the funding.”
Renewable Worldtackles poverty in developing countries by enabling the provision of affordable renewable energy systems for energy-poor communities. The charity works to supply renewable energy services to those who face financial and geographical barriers to accessing public or private sector solutions.
Renewable World impressed the panel with the careful and considered way in which they deliver their programmes. The panel felt that the charity couples focussed technical expertise with good development practices, and clearly considered social and economic aspects of their projects.
Matt Stubberfield CEO of Renewable World, said “we are delighted to be awarded this grant which means we can expand clean, affordable and sustainable energy to up to 20,000 people in the poorest communities in East Africa over the next 3 years.”
Build It Internationalworks in Zambia to create opportunities for young people and their communities by providing skills training and building community projects. They develop bespoke training programmes that teach entry-level skills in construction, providing young, unemployed people with opportunities to find work and provide for their families, and a chance of a brighter future.
The panel were impressed by Build It International’s work, particularly the focus that they have on gender, on using construction skills as a method to improve livelihoods and fight poverty, and their impressive monitoring and evaluation of their work. The panel felt that that Built It was able to demonstrate a clear and focussed plan for the future.
Build It International CEO Andrew Jowett commented: “Everyone at Build It is thrilled with this generous new grant from the Happold Foundation, building on the collaboration we have enjoyed over the past four years. It will enable us to further invest in our capacity to deliver quality construction skills training in Zambia alongside investment in much needed community schools and health facilities. Thank-you!”
To find out more about our chosen organisations, visit www.renewable-world.organd www.builditinternational.org.