CREATING JOBS FOR WOMEN IN RURAL NICARAGUA THROUGH GRUPO FENIX PARTICIPATORY SOLAR ENERGY PROJECTS

摘要

Women's participation in rural development deserves more attention with regard to the use of renewable energy to arrest deforestation and improve conditions of life in the densely populated hills of tropical developing countries. For renewable energy to improve the lives of the poorest people, more than investment in technology is required. By sharing scientific knowledge, and soliciting involvement in all stages of projects, from the drawing board to laying the last brick, investment in local capacity has built social capital and benefited the poor with improved living conditions. This paper provides a case study that illustrates the approach used by Grupo Fenix, a Nicaraguan applied research group, with sustainability science. It will explore how building social capital and coordinating with resources of other agencies can advance the process toward creating jobs where the host agency has a low capital base.