VIDEO | A Social Innovation Project In 5 European Countries, Committing to Tackle Fuel Poverty
COP23: The fight against climate change won’t be effective without taking into account the needs of 2.3 billion people in the world who have poor access to energy.
In mid-June 2017, the Schneider Electric Foundation, under the aegis of the Fondation de France, and Ashoka, launched a new Call for Projects, in partnership with Enel, to select the 15 most innovative organizations that offer creative and systems-changing solutions to tackle fuel poverty and promote energy sustainability in Europe. Fuel poverty is a major issue in Europe, whereby tens of millions of people struggle every day to ensure adequate heating, light, and cooking power in their dwelling at an affordable price. This severely affects their health and wellbeing and ultimately has a negative impact on society.
After a successful Call for Projects, which has received interest from over 40 social innovators, they announced the 15 winners of the 2017-2018 “Social Innovation to Tackle Fuel Poverty” programme during the 23rd session of the Conference of the Parties (COP23) to the UN Convention on Climate Change on 13th November 2017 in Bonn, Germany. The 15 winners represent a diverse cohort of social innovators from Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, all committed to tackling fuel poverty and promoting energy sustainability in their countries and in Europe.
"Fuel poverty is a major concern for mature countries. What is it for us? It is when a person can’t heat his or her home at an acceptable cost regardless of cause. We intervene through programs that encompass both social and innovative solutions and the creation of tailored solutions, by accompanying households facing fuel poverty. The Foundation’s action is closely linked to the impact investment fund SEEA that invests in innovative social businesses," says Patricia Benchenna, Foundation and Philanthropy Director, Schneider Electric.
Click here to learn more about Schneider Electric’s fuel poverty program.
Click here to discover our commitments to tackle Climate Change.
