Organisation:
Sakhi Unique Rural Enterprise (SURE)
Location:
Osmanabad
Problem:
SURE was founded in 2009 and currently works in 6 districts in Maharashtra and 2 in Bihar. The focus of the organisation is to promote clean and green energy products and services, and to provide livelihood opportunity to rural women.
Solution:
The organisation works to create a rural retail women entrepreneur network to promote the use of clean energy products and solutions. The result is that pollution is reduced in the kitchen, health of the family is improved and proffers more productive time to women and girls.
Scalability and Impact:
The organisation has promulgated more than 2,20,000 improved cooking stoves and bio fuel pellets etc. to low income, rural households. More than 33% income growth per annum has been seen and households have saved Rs 150 per month on cooking fuel.
The organisation started with 2 districts and 200 ‘Sakhis’ and is now operating in 8 districts with 1000 Sakhis. The organisation wants to partner with product companies and government and social organisations to improve their reach. They plan to reach 5000 Sakhis in 4 States over the next 5 years.
Financial Requirements:
NA
Awards and Recognition:
2006 – Late C. K. Prahlad selected SURE for co-creation in BOP Market with BP Energy
2012 – wPower Award by USAID/India
2013 – Winner of Sankalp (Global Cookstove Alliance for Innovation in Clean Cooking Solutions 2013), ICICI Foundation & CNBC TV18 Inclusive India Award
2014 – Assocham Ladies League Grassroots Women of the Decade Achiever’s Award
CMO Council – 25 Most Talented Rural Marketing Professionals of India