Livelihoods
Fighting for a world where all people can work, earn, and grow
Electricity stimulates rural economies and unlocks opportunities
%
of the global population live in extreme poverty, subsisting on less than $2.15 per day (World Bank)
Small Business Electrification
Electricity helps small businesses grow and thrive. A reliable power source allows a seamstress to sew more clothes, a barber to cut more hair, a baker to feed more people—the list goes on. With electricity, entrepreneurs are no longer hampered by basic tools. They can focus their efforts on pursuing bold ideas and better serving their customers.
Micro-Enterprise Centers
SELF’s Micro-Enterprise Centers offer a space where rural entrepreneurs can set up shop and tap into reliable power.
With access to electricity, these small businesses can grow their income, employ local people, and bring new services to their communities.
Integrated Models
Energy impacts diverse areas of life. SELF believes our initiatives should too. We strive to incorporate income-generating opportunities across our projects.
Solar Market Gardens
The Solar Market Garden (SMG) program empowers women’s farming cooperatives with solar-powered irrigation systems. This allows the farmers to produce more crops—growing their income, fostering food security, and bolstering gender equality locally.
Solar Cooking
The Solar Cooking Program creates career opportunities in the clean cooking sector. With a focus on women, the program trains participants in the latest solar cooking tech and equips them with the resources to launch their own solar-powered bakeries, catering businesses, and more.
“Now, I have skills in baking, I know how to preserve the environment, and I know how to manage a business.”