Pre-pilot exit report

The Grassroots Energy Management Support (GEMS) project focuses on facilitating an inclusive energy transition in rural India. The long-term goal is to replace non-renewable energy sources with sustainable and renewable alternatives for generating heat and light. The initial phase of GEMS involves replacing traditional open-pit cooking methods with low-smoke cooking stoves (LSCS). This report presents the status, results, and findings from the pre-pilot implementation of the GEMS project in the rural village of Tindauli, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Key Findings and Outcomes:

Adoption Rate: 75% of the households in Tindauli transitioned from traditional open-pit stoves to LSCS, significantly reducing indoor air pollution.

Health Improvements: Households reported noticeable reductions in respiratory issues and eye irritation, highlighting the health benefits of using LSCS.

Time Savings: Women saved an average of 40 minutes daily on cooking and biomass collection, allowing them to engage in other income-generating activities.

Community Engagement: The involvement of GEMS Pioneers and local influencers was critical in achieving a high engagement rate and fostering community support for the transition.

Economic Impact: Despite initial resistance, most households recognized the economic benefits, such as reduced biomass collection time and potential income opportunities.

These findings demonstrate the substantial impact of the GEMS project in improving health, efficiency, and economic opportunities in rural communities, setting a solid foundation for scaling the project to other regions.

Read the detailed version of the report below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YR44LNsLC8HV4C41uYJ7a8F-fxrN0RKq/view?usp=sharing