Scott and Pollinate Energy in India
A$3,790
of $3,500 targetyrs ago
Successful on 4th Mar 2014 at 9:18AM.
I am seeking funding for a project to help Pollinate Energy carry out the first impact assessment of their social enterprise that is bringing solar and green energy solutions to the urban poor in India.
Pollinate Energy is a not-for-profit social business focused on providing access to low cost, clean energy technology that improves the lives of people living in India's urban slums. Pollinate Energy was started in November 2012 when the founding team realised that although there were many simple and low-cost energy solutions available on the shelves, the urban poor did not have access to them. They use an on-the-ground network of ‘Pollinators’, and short-term 5-week payment plans, to make sure that these products do reach these communities. In this way, Pollinate Energy EMPOWERS the communities as well as POWERING them. In just a year, Pollinate Energy has impacted over 12,000 lives.
You can read more about Pollinate Energy on their website.
I have volunteered to go to India to work with Pollinate Energy on a project to review their impact and operations.
I am passionate about science and people. The Pollinate Energy team share this passion and I am very excited at the prospect of joining them. I've never reached out to my friends, family or colleagues before but this is a project that I am very committed to and I hope you will consider supporting me.
Pollinate Energy is a not-for-profit social business focused on providing access to low cost, clean energy technology that improves the lives of people living in India's urban slums. Pollinate Energy was started in November 2012 when the founding team realised that although there were many simple and low-cost energy solutions available on the shelves, the urban poor did not have access to them. They use an on-the-ground network of ‘Pollinators’, and short-term 5-week payment plans, to make sure that these products do reach these communities. In this way, Pollinate Energy EMPOWERS the communities as well as POWERING them. In just a year, Pollinate Energy has impacted over 12,000 lives.
You can read more about Pollinate Energy on their website.
I have volunteered to go to India to work with Pollinate Energy on a project to review their impact and operations.
I am passionate about science and people. The Pollinate Energy team share this passion and I am very excited at the prospect of joining them. I've never reached out to my friends, family or colleagues before but this is a project that I am very committed to and I hope you will consider supporting me.
How The Funds Will Be Used
I will travel to India for 2 weeks to work on Pollinate
Energy’s First Annual Impact Assessment Report. I will spend time in the
communities they serve and collate qualitative and quantitative information that
will help to further refine the business model. While in India, I will be accompanied by trained local staff who will assist me in interacting with the local people who have and have not yet, benefited from Pollinate Energy's programs. These local staff will assist me with interviewing people and recording their stories, ideas, needs and suggestions. Pollinate Energy will
use this information to inform their planned expansion into Hyderabad and
Chennai.
Please note that the funds raised will be not be used to fund my travel.
The funds that I raise are going directly towards conducting the impact assessment which will improve Pollinate Energy's delivery model in India rather than to the organisation generally.
Funds will go to:
- Pre-departure training and familiarisation with Pollinate Energy's activities for myself prior to conducting the assessment
- Training for local Indian staff in collecting data and stories from customers. This will be an extremely important part of the project as I, as a non-Indian, will need considerable assistance with communication and understanding the details of people's circumstances.
- Costs associated with on-site supervision and support for me, enabling two weeks of intensive surveying within communities
- Costs directly associated with compiling the impact assessment report which will include recommendations to improve the effectiveness of Pollinate Energy on the ground in India
- Funds to support implementation of recommendations on the ground in India over a 6 month period at the completion of the project.
The final outcome of the project, the Impact Assessment Report will be freely available via Pollinate Energy's website and personalised copies and a briefing are offered as a reward.
Please note that the funds raised will be not be used to fund my travel.
The funds that I raise are going directly towards conducting the impact assessment which will improve Pollinate Energy's delivery model in India rather than to the organisation generally.
Funds will go to:
- Pre-departure training and familiarisation with Pollinate Energy's activities for myself prior to conducting the assessment
- Training for local Indian staff in collecting data and stories from customers. This will be an extremely important part of the project as I, as a non-Indian, will need considerable assistance with communication and understanding the details of people's circumstances.
- Costs associated with on-site supervision and support for me, enabling two weeks of intensive surveying within communities
- Costs directly associated with compiling the impact assessment report which will include recommendations to improve the effectiveness of Pollinate Energy on the ground in India
- Funds to support implementation of recommendations on the ground in India over a 6 month period at the completion of the project.
The final outcome of the project, the Impact Assessment Report will be freely available via Pollinate Energy's website and personalised copies and a briefing are offered as a reward.
The Challenges
I genuinely believe that the greatest risk of all is to do nothing. Energy is arguably the biggest challenge facing our world at the moment. The team at Pollinate Energy have done the hard work in identifying this challenge and setting up this project. I'll face the usual travel and health risks but I'm a seasoned traveler and am well prepared for this project.
An email from me thanking you for your support.
3 chosen
Est. delivery is May 14
A handwritten note on something that I’ll buy in India (hopefully something local and handmade) thanking you for your support.
3 chosen / 97 available
Est. delivery is May 14
Photo from India I plan on taking lots of photos in India. One of them is bound to be ok! I’ll send you a print of the photo that I’m most proud of.
5 chosen / 45 available
Est. delivery is May 14
Me pace you in a run (10km or less) I’ll run alongside you, encourage you and pace you in a run upto 10km in distance. One of the many parkruns (see parkrun.com.au) would be ideal but I’ll happily enter a charity fun run too. Pace is 4:40 per kilometre or slower. Melbourne area only, unless you’re prepared to pay for me to fly to you or to wait until I’m in your town with time to run!
7 chosen / 3 available
Est. delivery is May 14
Me be on your team for a trivia night I know a lot of very trivial things and would only be too happy to join your team in a charity or pub trivia night. Melbourne area only, unless you’re prepared to pay for me to fly to you!
1 chosen / 9 available
Est. delivery is May 14
A personalised copy of the report I'll send you a personalised copy of Pollinate Energy’s First Annual Impact Assessment Report that I will co-author.
2 chosen
Est. delivery is Jun 14
A private telephone or skype call with me I’ll give advice on anything you think I can help you with – solar panels, science questions, public speaking, making videos, career choices, music!
0 chosen / 20 available
Est. delivery is May 14
Me sing karaoke at your party I am a very enthusiastic singer and would come to your party and sing my “solar power”-themed repertoire – including: Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me, Distant Sun, No Son Of Mine, The Scientist and many more… Melbourne area only, unless you’re prepared to pay for me to fly to you!
1 chosen / 199 available
Est. delivery is May 14
Me NOT sing karaoke at your party I’ll come to your party and promise NOT to sing. Melbourne area only, unless you’re prepared to pay for me to fly to you!
5 chosen / 5 available
Est. delivery is May 14
Me pace you in a run (half marathon) I’ll run alongside you, encourage you and pace you in a run upto a half marathon in distance. I’d do a marathon but it was hard enough getting myself to finish the 3 I’ve done without taking on the responsibility of getting someone else home too! Pace is 4:55 per kilometre or slower. Melbourne area only, unless you’re prepared to pay for me to fly to you or to wait until I’m in your town with time to run!
1 chosen / 1 available
Est. delivery is May 14
Me give a talk at your school or community group I’ll give a professional talk, including slides and videos, to your school or community group about science in general, solar cell research, renewable energy and/or flexible electronics. I will tailor the talk to your needs and am open to you recording it. I can do this in person in the Melbourne area (and maybe elsewhere if you’re prepared to pay for my flights or wait until I’m in your town) or I can do it via a high definition video link.
3 chosen / 3 available
Est. delivery is May 14
A personalised copy of the report PLUS a personal (or group), 1hr briefing or seminar by me on the findings. I'll send you a personalised copy of Pollinate Energy’s First Annual Impact Assessment Report that I will co-author and will give you a 1 hour, personal briefing (in person, by telephone or video) from me on the findings. In this briefing I will share my insights into social enterprises.
1 chosen / 9 available
Est. delivery is Jun 14
Me bake croissants for you. I recently used my breadmaker to prepare the greatest croissants I’ve ever tasted. I’ll make a batch of 18 delicious croissants and deliver them to you for breakfast. Melbourne area only, unless you’re prepared to pay for me and my breadmaker to fly to you!
6 chosen / 0 available
Est. delivery is May 14