Lumină pentru România (Light for Romania)

Light for Romania is a social campaign dedicated to families who live without electricity and light. The project discovers people in need via document analysis and field work. The local authorities assist with information about people and households living without electricity. With a budget range of between 100,000 and 1 million euros the project installed photovoltaic systems that provide free electricity to almost 250 families and 1,000 individuals, 4 public schools and 2 churches. In total, about 300 photovoltaic systems were installed in 97 communes in 29 counties in Romania.

The project activities develop as follows:

• Desk and field research, correspondence with local and central authorities in order to obtain information about residents and households that have no access to electricity.
• Budget collection for the implementation phase including the purchase, transportation and installation of photovoltaic systems.
• Installation of the photovoltaic systems. During this phase, the project conducted field research on the further needs and capacity of residents and households. Financial and technical guidance was provided to residents and households that wished to connect to the public electricity grid.
• Technical guidance was provided for the beneficiaries and monitoring for the photovoltaic systems installed.

This is an inspiring good practice of a project that provides sustainable and green energy solutions at low cost and through private and public donations to tackle energy poverty and address the needs of vulnerable consumers. In parallel, the project raises awareness on energy solutions among consumers in need. Challenges that arose during the project were related to data collection, stakeholder involvement and national regulations.

The partners of the project are charity organisations, commercial organisations, crowdfunding, media, NGOs and private companies.

Main beneficiaries: children, disabled, elderly and the energy poor.

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  Countries impacted:
  

  Romania
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  Geographical scale:
  

  National
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  Energy poverty phase:
  

  Implementation

  Diagnosis

  Planning
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  Intervention type:
  

  Capacity building and training

  Renewable Energy Integration
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  Professionals involved:
  

  Journalist

  Student
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  Type of funding:
  

  Private funds by the Fundatia Fan Courier, Dedeman, Unicredit Bank, Nn România, Siemens Energy, Ropeco, Ikea, Cardif-Assurances, Tiab Sa, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services.
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  Website:
  Case website
• SDGs addressed: