The Breathing Space Improved Cooking Stoves Programme, India. Stakeholder s Consultation Summary VPA 05-09

Transcription

1 The Breathing Space Improved Cooking Stoves Programme, India Stakeholder s Consultation Summary VPA 05-09

2 Contents Objective... 1 Non - Technical Summary... 2 Summary of Stakeholders Interactions Local Demonstration Campaigns Reaching out to the masses Extensive interactive Surveys NGOs/Self Help Groups/Village Level Entrepreneurs Stalls in Community centres/ Fairs / conferences Alternative Initiatives Conclusion... 25

3 Objective This report summarises the activities related to stakeholder consultation carried out by Envirofit as part of The Breathing Space Improved Cooking Stoves Programme, India, during the period Nov 2010 Dec 2013, thereby encompassing stoves sales covered under VPA

4 Non - Technical Summary The Breathing Space Improved Cooking Stoves Programme, India is a voluntary Programme of Activities (PoA) that aims at disseminating energy efficient improved cook-stoves (ICS) in domestic households of India. Envirofit is a non-profit organisation that develops well-engineered technology solutions to improve the living conditions on a global scale with primary emphasis on applications in the developing countries. ICS are designed to achieve reduction in fuel consumption (non-renewable biomass) and improvement in levels of indoor air pollution (IAP). The ICS result in better heat transfer and complete fuel combustion (avoiding smoke, black soot and Particulate matter (PM) as compared to that achieved in traditional cook stoves. This results in a significant reduction in non-renewable biomass consumption and levels of IAP in project households. Usage of non renewable biomass results in decrease in carbon stock of the forests. The non renewable biomass results in GHG emissions as the carbon emission released from unsustainable tree cutting cannot be sequestered later. Thus, the reduction in consumption of non-renewable biomass also lowers Greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Therefore, ICS reduce greenhouse gas emissions by virtue of their higher efficiency compared to traditional/ baseline stoves and contribute to emission reductions. A direct comparison between the kitchen conditions can be made from the photographs below: Fig 1: Use of traditional chulhas Vs. ICS in a rural household 2

5 Summary of Stakeholders Interactions The programme is widespread covering many districts across various states in India. To ensure comprehensive discussions with stakeholders in different regions, multiple stakeholder interactions were organized in form of local awareness / demonstration campaigns, stalls at community gatherings (fair), NGO supported interactive sessions, participation by Envirofit in significant public forums / conferences etc. During these sessions, the programme was explained and Improved Cook stoves (ICS) were displayed to the stakeholders present besides discussing the benefits of using the ICS. The following details various initiatives taken during these sessions to ensure interactive participation of stakeholders. 1. Local Demonstration Campaigns The proposed programme has raised awareness amongst the primary stakeholders (end users/ retailers and distributors) by carrying out numerous local demonstration campaigns in small rural and peri urban areas targeting the local stakeholders. The process of local demonstration Campaigns is a one-step improvement over van campaigns which were being carried out earlier in the programme. Usually these interactions happen in groups, with the group size varying from 20 to 30 members and happen at the local partner / institutional interaction place. While earlier the van-campaigns were only pre-sales interactions with stakeholders, the local demonstration campaigns involve a two level process fostering an increased level of consultation with the stakeholders as described below: 1. Pre- Sales interaction: These activities intend to introduce the concept of Improved Biomass cook stoves to the stakeholders, traditional cook-stove users. It involves explaining about Indoor air pollution, understanding the difficulties of customers while using the traditional cook stoves, explaining the importance of improved cook stoves, demonstrating the improved cook stoves, explaining the benefits and addressing the general questions regarding the product. This helps in creating awareness about the product and also helps in creating the demand for the product amongst the communities. 2. Post Sales interaction: This is an equally important activity as post dissemination of cook stoves it is very important for the new customer to understand the right usage of the product to get the maximum benefit out of the same. This activity includes demonstration of the cook stoves, explaining the do s and don t do s, maintenance of the cook stove and addressing of warranty issues. Besides, the grievance mechanism (helpline in case of any problem with stove, first point of contact) is also discussed. These two activities become a major part of the stakeholder interaction process for Envirofit and play a very major role in ensuring that the right communication has been properly channelized and the desired message goes to the customer about the programme. The idea behind carrying out the post sales interaction with the stakeholder was to ensure that the primary stakeholders are aware about the right usage of the product as well as served a medium for Envirofit to have direct feedback from the users on the product usability and acceptance. The demonstration campaigns are being run utilizing MFIs (micro-financing institutions) network or Institutional network (corporate, SMEs etc for examples coffee estates, corporate level distribution activities etc). Envirofit uses an innovative approach while carrying out these demonstrations. Rather than focussing on having large presence of stakeholders in a single demonstration camp, quick minutes micro level interactions with interested stakeholders at any event with a gathering of interested stakeholders is carried out. Though a large number of such micro demonstrations Envirofit has been able to execute stakeholder interactions over a much wider 3

6 coverage. For this purpose dedicated staff is appointed as demonstrators. The approach makes it very easy for a demonstrator to carry out 2-3 demonstrations each day in a radius of 5-10 kilometres. The MFI and Institutional / SME serve a good deal in planning these demonstrations. The MFIs carry out regular meetings with their new / old customers to whom micro-financing is being provided. Envirofit through their channel of MFIs actively uses these meeting for demonstrations. Similarly, a large number of demonstrations are carried out at the office locations of Institutions as well SME offices with whom Envirofit has a relationship, albeit each with a target audience of only participants. Each site is revisited multiple times to ensure that those who could not make it to earlier sessions get equal opportunity to participate and provide feedback, if any. During these campaigns, leaflets/ pamphlets are handed out to stakeholders to enhance their understanding on the use of improved cook stoves and on the advantages of the same over traditional stoves. Pamphlets/ leaflets are also distributed in regional languages for better understanding and ease of the stakeholders present. Once, the distribution of pamphlets is complete, comments and feedback are invited from the attendants through open question and answer sessions. For the capacity development of the stakeholders, it is essential to inform and sensitize them about the quality and characteristics of the product. To perform the same, demonstrations are carried out on how to use the improved cook stoves. During these demonstrations, the demonstrator educates the user on the do s and don ts of using the improved cook stove and performs a live demonstration as shown below. Image 1: Demonstration camp at a typical MFI meeting centre in a village in Karnataka Image 2: Demonstration camp through Corporate Tie-up Network Image 3: Demonstration Camp at SME office (Coffee Estate Workers) at Cottabetta 4

7 Image 4: Demonstration Camp at Pollibetta Estate Workers All these initiatives are performed to build awareness amongst the stakeholders on the improved cook stoves and their associated benefits. In last three years, more than 8000 such demonstration micro-camps covering several sites targeted by the programme have been carried out spread over 40 districts in the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. A brief summary of the number of campaigns carried out are as follows covering more than people: Number of Demonstrations (Demonstrator Wise) Demonstrators Name Total State Districts Covered Dharma T Naik Karnataka 5 Purshottam Tamil Nadu 4 Pradeep Nadagouda Karnataka 3 Prashanth Kumar Karnataka 3 Satish B Badiger Karnataka 3 Alince Danielbhai Khristi Gujarat & Rajasthan 4 Umesh Naik Karnataka 3 Gunashekar Karnataka 5 Vijayendar Reddy Andhra Pradesh 5 Prabhagaran R Tamil Nadu 1 Vipin Kumar Uttar Pradesh 1 R. Gandhi Tamil Nadu 3 Total Number of Demonstrations (VPA wise) VPA number Total Grand Total

8 2. Reaching out to the masses Extensive interactive Surveys Over the last few years, Envirofit has conducted a comprehensive survey amongst its existing stove users collecting their feedback on the programme and ICS usage. More than 300 users were surveyed in different regions and their response was collected via a detailed questionnaire. The questionnaire was intended to collect a post usage feedback from the stakeholders in line with Envirofit s vision of continuous interaction with most significant and primary stakeholders i.e. ICS users and to use their feedback towards optimization of existing or launching more efficient models. A typical questionnaire asked the following details, besides others: a. The model of ICS b. Frequency of usage of ICS c. The type of food cooked on stove d. Any problems faced while cooking on ICS e. If traditional stove usage was continued f. Does the ICS produce smoke g. Does the ICS reduces fuel consumption h. If the users found the ICS better than traditional stove As a sample, feedback forms received from respondents is being attached. Please note that these are different from the GS carbon monitoring survey that was performed last year as part of verification of first 4 VPAs. 6

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23 3. NGOs/Self Help Groups/Village Level Entrepreneurs NGOs, self help groups, village level entrepreneurs, are engaged to spread awareness on the dangers of smoke in the kitchen and propagate the adoption of ICS. The following photograph NGO representatives and village level entrepreneurs in discussions with local stakeholders on the usage/ handling/ benefits of the Envirofit ICS. Through the support from local NGOs and other support groups, stakeholders are informed about the benefits of the programme associated with ICS usage. Image 5: Envirofit engaging with village level women entrepreneur group Image 6: Local NGO representatives demonstrating usage of stove with Envirofit Team Image 7: Interactive session by local NGO representatives explaining benefits of Envirofit ICS 21

24 4. Stalls in Community centres/ Fairs / conferences As and when possible, stalls in community centres / fairs are organized so as to create awareness amongst masses towards IAP and usage of ICS to understand user preference and promote product. Besides, Envirofit takes active participation in relevant seminars/ conferences related to improved cookstoves in order to have interaction with other players, governments and development organisation representatives. Image 8: Stall at a local community centre Image 9: Live stalls at relevant conferences 22

25 5. Alternative Initiatives 1. The programme has also been actively promoted with the help of newspaper articles and news coverage in reputed national channels like NDTV and DD National News 1. The videos provided as reference clearly demonstrate the recognition the programme has received at national/ local level. Image 10: Various News Clippings Besides, at each of the aforesaid activities, van campaigns, NGO sessions, demonstrations, stalls and fairs the following interactive media are run to inform stakeholders about the programme and its benefits in local and national language The above mentioned videos provide ample evidence on communication with the stakeholders as well as receiving their feedback

26 2. At the time of purchase of improved cook stoves, the users are also provided with user manuals (in local language as well). A copy of the same is provided below. The user manual informs the user about the quality and characteristics of the stove and provides instructions on the usage and cleaning of the improved cook stove. Image 11: User Manual 24

27 Conclusion The above information illustrates that the programme engages local stakeholders through hosting a series of street activities and other media. The stakeholder consultation process organized in multiple sessions reached out to a large number of areas covered under the programme, thereby, providing stakeholders with a better platform to participate and voice their comments as compared to any one time centralised consultation activity. Further, multiple awareness sessions organised by various participating NGOs in the programme have created awareness amongst local women regarding the benefits of using the ICS. The feedback rounds were integrated within the aforesaid initiatives. It was observed that the stakeholders present at these multiple sites and sessions were co-operative and showed interest in learning about the new energy-efficient cook-stoves. They were appreciative of the fact that the new products are more fuel-efficient, release less smoke compared to traditional stoves, and also save time in cooking. In general, no negative comments were voiced against this programme. The stakeholders have been appreciative of the programme as a whole. 25