Impact Spotlight
Expanding on proof of concept project that brought 20 home solar systems, providing electricity to 100 Indigenous people
Expanded solar energy projects to reach 100 Indigenous communities across South America
Building participating communities’ capacity to manage and expand solar infrastructure in their territories
About
Indigenous communities in Costa Rica’s Talamanca rainforest lack access to basic services, including energy, medical care, education, and the opportunity to cultivate sustainable livelihoods. While these communities have lived independently for thousands of years, threats of modern deforestation, land use changes, contamination, climate change, and socio-economic insecurities are multiplying. Indigenous territories that are difficult to access due to the absence of roads and harsh topographic and climatic conditions. The lack of river systems and waterways, as well as the steep mountain range, forces them to walk up for hours or even days to reach the nearest road or village. The Indigenous Cabecar and Bribri Peoples have preserved their cultural and historical traditions but have not been able to participate in national development and government social programs, making them one of the most economically poor and marginalized groups in Costa Rica. Starting in 2022, the Honnold Foundation partnered with Love for Life to install 20 solar energy systems for Indigenous families in Cabecar and Bribri territories, bringing first time electricity access to more than 100 residents.
Love For Life (LFL) promotes Indigenous self-determination, climate justice, and ecosystem conservation through sustainable access to off-grid solar energy and capacity-building in remote rainforest territories of Latin America. Their newest initiative is focused on conserving landscapes and promoting self-determined sustainable development for Indigenous Peoples throughout South America, scaling their operations to meet the solar needs of more than 100 Indigenous communities.
“Being a young solar energy technician has been one of the most incredible experiences. I had never imagined that one day, I would become a solar technician myself: learning how to install the systems, how to measure the rise of the sun [...] Wow, you’re just amazed by the work that is being done!”
HF Partnership
With ongoing support from the Honnold Foundation, Love for Life is enhancing its solar energy initiatives by strengthening local capacities, expanding sustainable agricultural projects, and improving organizational effectiveness. This partnership enables Love for Life to continue its crucial work, scaling up efforts to provide clean, sustainable energy solutions to Indigenous communities across Latin America.
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