Eco Ltd conceived the idea of a network where pro-development persons and organisations talk and learn from each other in June 2000. This gave birth to SPARKNET, an interdisciplinary interactive knowledge Network that is a truly egalitarian meeting place for organisations and individuals that are serious about finding solutions to the household energy issues in low-income households in Southern and East Africa (Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe). It enables multidisciplinary interaction from experts from such interacting sectors such forestry, gender, health and the household energy sector. Key stakeholders are from seven countries in Southern and East Africa and three from the European Union, but SPARKNET carters for a wider audience. Eco developed, facilitated and moderated two online conferences on energy scenarios and energy policies for the Sparknet countries. Each of the conferences attracted over 200 participants from over 38 countries around the world. Eco has developed an online database of reports and project profiles, available on www.sparknet.info, which provide comprehensive information on organisations you can partner with, donors, projects being undertaken by members, project impacts and replicability and energy data for member countries. Eco also reviewed profiles submitted by partners of the project. The network is sponsored by the European Commission's 5th Framework Programme for Research under the research and technological development programme-Confirming the International Role of Community Research (INCO).

Client

The European Commission, International Co-operation (INCO), 5th Framework Programme

Duration

2002 to 2005

Partnerships

• Practical Action (formerly Intermediate Technology Development Group - UK, East Africa (Kenya) and Southern Africa Zimbabwe/Mozambique)
• Eco Consulting Group - Germany
• Energy and Environmental Concerns for Zambia - Zambia
• Makerere University, Women and Gender Studies Department - Uganda
• Rural Area Power Solutions (Pty) Ltd - South Africa
• Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre, Energy Technology Institute - Zimbabwe
• TaTEDO, Tanzania Traditional Energy Development and Environment Organisation - Tanzania
• University of Liverpool, Department of Public Health - UK
• University of Twente, Technology and Development Group - Netherlands

Public reports

Reports and conference proceedings are available on www.sparknet.info