This project is providing solar business incubation hubs in three Orang Asli communities in rural Malaysia. Combining renewable solar power with business incubation space and capital support for equipment will permit men and women in the three villages to start new businesses to provide services to more than 500 people in these and neighbouring communities, generating new jobs and community income as well as improving community productivity and quality of life.
Around 200 indigenous Orang Asli communities in remote rural Malaysia do not have access to sufficient electrification. Beyond household quality of life, this affects the services and businesses that can be run in the communities. This negatively impacts livelihoods and productivity, since accessing many services requires an expensive and time-consuming trip to the nearest town, >2 hours away. Grid expansion and other rural electrification efforts have yet to reach these communities.
We have been able to provide access to electricity to households in the three communities. But this is not sufficient to run businesses. Creating solar-powered business incubation hubs with training and support, especially for female entrepreneurs, means community members will be able to open and run new businesses, such as a hair salons, meat and produce refrigeration and convenience stores. This will provide new income generation opportunities for the communities and improved quality of life.
The project has 4 main focuses for long term impact: 1. At least 30 new businesses, including female-led enterprises, incubated in the communities. 2. Improved quality of life for >500 people. 3. Skills training and support for community members to run businesses and maintain and repair the energy systems for long-term sustainability. 4. Showcase the benefits of village electrification and business hubs so that a similar approach can be adopted for more than 200 other Orang Asli communities.
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