ESDS Cross-Cutting Topics (Policy)
Policy
The Energy Solution for Displacement Setting (ESDS) project supports the policy development and stakeholder engagement in Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia at the national and regional levels. The focus is on creating framework conditions that encourage the self-reliance of the communities' energy supply by facilitating local market structures. In this regard, ESDS has provided advisory services and played an active role in the launch of the Sustainable Energy Response Plan (SERP) within Uganda's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD). In Ethiopia, the project successfully supported the development of the Multi actor’ Cooking Energy Strategy (MCES). In Kenya, ESDS has been working with Turkana County Government (TCG) to finalize the draft Turkana County Energy Plan and energy bill as provisioned by the Kenya Energy Act of 2019, which to accelerate energy access for both refugees and the host community members of Turkana County. Furthermore, stakeholder engagement workshops have been held in all three countries, facilitating information exchange and collaboration among all parties involved. The project organized a Webinar on Role of Energy Policies in Shaping Energy Access Dialogue in Displacement Contexts on Nov. 16, 2022, to share its experience working with policy makers in Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia in promoting access to energy in displacement contexts. Policymakers from the three countries shared their journey to draft relevant policies that integrate the energy needs of refugees and nearby host communities.
The involvement of ESDS has also brought benefits to government partners by enhancing coordination among various stakeholders and providing additional entry points for other projects and organizations to engage in the field. The implementing partners (IP) of ESDS have also reaped the rewards of this collaborative approach. There has been an evident improvement in information exchange and coordination among governmental and non-governmental stakeholders. Moreover, there is now a renewed focus on displacement settings, highlighting the importance of addressing energy needs in these contexts.
The Sustainable Energy Response Plan (SERP) for Refugees and Host Communities – ESDS Uganda
The Sustainable Energy Response Plan (SERP) for Refugees and Host Communities complements the holistic approach of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) and sets a precedent by integrating refugees into national energy planning in Uganda, thereby emphasizing the importance of energy access for an effective response within the Humanitarian, Development and Peace Nexus.
Collaboration with host governments to promote inclusive market-based energy solutions- ESDS Kenya
The project is providing advisory services to strengthen TCG structures to integrate energy needs of refugees into local development plans; to intensify the coordination of energy development stakeholders (refugee & host communities, private sector, development partners, NGOs etc.); and to develop the county energy policy.
Supporting a Strengthened Policy and Strategy Framework for Improved Energy Access in Displacement Settings- ESDS Ethiopia
ESDS Ethiopia has been working with Multi actors' (humanitarian and development) involvement in process of strategy development which include recently finalized cooking fuel energy strategy to be implemented in refugee and host communities in Ethiopia for the period 2022-2030. The team has further planned to work on electrification and e-waste strategies.
