The shortlists for the 2023 Ashden Awards have been announced – highlighting inclusive climate solutions to power our future and regenerate our world.
Featured projects and organisations are tackling key climate challenges in the Global South and the UK, creating fairer societies as well as lower emissions. The 32 organisations shortlisted range from a scheme bringing clean energy to 2 million people in Nigeria, to work empowering rainforest communities in Indonesia.
The shortlists also feature innovation in Kenya, Ethiopia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, India, Costa Rica and Peru.
Winning organisations, chosen by panels of expert judges, will be revealed this autumn. Winners will benefit from a cash prize and publicity, as well as new connections to investors, funders and policymakers. The annual Ashden Awards were launched in 2001.
Ashden Head of Awards Dr Stephen Hall said: “This is a breathtaking collection of climate trailblazers. Their work proves we can successfully tackle climate change alongside the world’s other great challenges – like gender inequality, poverty, and the marginalisation of refugees, Indigenous Peoples and other vulnerable groups.”
“Our 2023 shortlists prove once again that the Global South is a hotbed of climate innovation – funding and investment into this great work must be stepped if we are to meet climate and development goals, such as connecting everyone to clean energy by 2030.
“In every category we’ve seen exciting potential to create stable green jobs and livelihoods. We now need global leaders to recognise the potential for clean energy and regenerative solutions, to drive fairer and more productive economies.”
The 2023 Ashden Awards shortlists: Global South categories
(Explore shortlists in our three UK categories)
Ashden Award for Powering Futures in Clean Energy
Building the workforce to energise the Global South
Supported by LinkedIn
ACRA supports marginalised women in rural Senegal to launch solar-powered businesses, with training and access to products and finance.
We Care Solar is giving women the technical training and skills to install life-saving solar energy, powering Sierra Leone’s off-grid rural health centres.
Women in Sustainable Energy and Entrepreneurship
Kenya’s WISEe empowers women in the renewable energy sector, including engineers, technicians, educators, students and entrepreneurs. It provides training, hands-on skills, mentorship and networking opportunities.
Burasolutions Solar Academy in Nigeria boosts skills and pathways to work for women and marginalised people, with support for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Ashden Award for Powering Agriculture
Tackling hunger and poverty in the Global South
Supported by the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
In India, Oorja Development Solutions are pioneering an inclusive pay-per-use model that brings solar-powered farming services to marginalised communities.
Collectives for Integrated Livelihoods Initiatives (CInI)
CInI helps women in India’s Central Tribal Belt use clean energy to raise their incomes – and become leaders in their communities.
Farmer Lifeline Technologies helps farmers in Kenya beat pests and disease – with an affordable solar-powered device that scans crops for signs of danger.
Mobility for Africa’s Hambas – custom-built electric tricycles – are providing transport for rural women, boosting their livelihoods, access to social services and saving their valuable time.
Ashden Award for Integrated Energy Africa
Boosting the continent’s clean energy pioneers
Supported by Integrate to Zero
At its factory in Kenya, Aceleron repurposes waste batteries – turning them into energy storage technology for homes, offices and electric vehicles.
Beacon Power Services offers grid management software and analytics, helping utility companies expand their reach across Africa.
Through its Nigeria Sunshot initiative, Husk Power is building at least 500 clean energy microgrids by 2026 – supporting businesses, schools and hospitals, and benefiting more than 2 million people.
In Uganda, Power For All’s Utilities 2.0 Twaake project unites centralized and decentralized renewable energy companies to achieve faster and cheaper electrification, boost rural livelihoods, and end energy poverty.
Ashden Award for Powering Refugees and Displaced People
Taking on the humanitarian energy crisis
Award delivered in partnership with Global Refugee Network. Supported by NextEnergy Foundation, The Linbury Trust, JAC Trust, The Alan & Babette Sainsbury Charitable Fund.
In Cameroon, Hope for a Better Future helps women affected by conflict grow their incomes as solar technicians – and even become owners of ‘solar shops’, selling products to their community.
Care for Social Welfare International
Care for Social Welfare International has used clean energy to bring much-needed light and water to a camp for displaced people in Nigeria.
Save the Environment Ethiopia has supported homes and businesses with new solar mini-grids, clean cook stoves and more in five refugee camps. Benefits have reached displaced people and host communities.
USAFI Green manufactures and supplies affordable, low-carbon cookstoves in Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Camp – creating work and improving health for displaced people and host communities.
Ashden Award for Natural Climate Solutions
Defending and empowering Indigenous communities
Supported by the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
ECA-Amarakaeri
In southern Peru, ECA-Amarakaeri supports people to earn a sustainable living, and also gives them the tools to monitor and report illegal logging and mining.
Love for Life & Kabata Konana
This partnership is empowering Indigenous communities in Costa Rica to grow food sustainably, generate clean energy and build leadership roles for women.
Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara (AMAN)
AMAN has helped 168 Indigenous groups in Indonesia map their territories and strengthen their rights, launch sustainable businesses, access clean energy, and prepare for the impacts of climate change.
CERAF-NORD
CERAF-NORD supports communities around Benue National Park, and in the north of Cameroon, to restore degraded land through agroforestry.
