IKEA Foundation Renews Grant Commitment to Efficiency for Access
The IKEA Foundation will extend its support to the Low Energy Inclusive Appliances (LEIA) programme by three years.
IKEA Foundation Renews Grant Commitment to Efficiency for Access
Efficiency for Access is delighted to announce that the IKEA Foundation will extend its support to the Low Energy Inclusive Appliances (LEIA) programme by three years. The IKEA Foundation first joined the Efficiency for Access Coalition in 2020, with the aim of reaching 225,000 people with access to energy efficient solar-powered equipment. With this renewed funding commitment, the IKEA Foundation seeks to achieve even greater impact and scale.
Globally, 733 million people remain without electricity, and many more live without reliable connections or appliances that improve quality of life and enhance productivity. Efficient and affordable appliances have a key role to play in building a low carbon pathway to sustainable development and achieving universal access to electricity by 2030.
Efficiency for Access’ foundational LEIA programme seeks to improve the efficiency, performance, availability and affordability of solar-powered appliances and technologies suited to off- and weak-grid settings. LEIA activities result in improved electricity access and livelihoods by enabling household savings, boosting incomes and creating jobs. In its next phase, with the IKEA Foundation’s support, LEIA will scale its proven interventions and cover a broader range of appliances, business models and markets.
Jeffrey Prins, Head of Portfolio Renewable Energy, IKEA Foundation, says: “We’re proud to renew our collaboration with the Efficiency for Access Coalition because it’s an effective way to work with like-minded partners and investors to make renewable energy more accessible to many families more quickly.”
He adds: “Highly efficient solar-powered appliances can help families improve their income in a sustainable way, so they can afford a better life while also reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.”
Support from the IKEA Foundation to date has enabled the distribution of USD1.2 million in R&D grant funding, the delivery of three years of the Efficiency for Access Design Challenge, a first-of-its-kind solar water pump consumer awareness campaign, and the development of more than 25 market and consumer research publications.
“Since its launch in 2018, LEIA has established itself as the world’s leading research and innovation programme for off-and weak-grid appropriate technologies,” say CLASP’s Efficiency for Access Lead, Nyamolo Abagi, and Emilie Carmichael, Head of International, Energy Saving Trust. “With the IKEA Foundation’s renewed commitment, we look forward to building on that momentum and reaching even more people with the basic energy services that they need and deserve.”
For more information, visit the Efficiency for Access website and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the LEIA programme and our network.