Communities in remote country areas are generally not connected to the electricity grid. ICS believes it is important that these communities can also have sustainable energy. Sunlabob specializes in developing innovative products that supply sustainable energy. Like ICS, Sunlabob concentrates on the remote country areas.
Good combination
Collaboration seems an obvious decision. Marleen Hasselerharm, Social Business program manager at ICS: ‘After the first meeting, it quickly became clear that we had matching missions, visions and strategies. Sunlabob’s strength lies in technical product innovation and the sustainable business models they apply. We are strong in organizing local communities and bringing about large commitment from the local population. It is an excellent combination for setting up social enterprises in the countries we work in: Cambodia, Kenya and Tanzania.'
‘Leading social innovator’
Sunlabob is the only commercial organization that focuses on reaching remote areas. Sunlabob’s products include solar energy systems, hybrid grid networks for villages, cooling systems for vaccines, lighting for schools and community centres and water pump systems for irrigation and drinking water. All these products are supported by a unique service network of specially trained franchisees, village energy committees and technicians. Sunlabob director and founder Andy Schroeter, together with two other ‘social entrepreneurs’, was elected ‘leading social innovator’ in Asia during the annual ‘New Champions’ meeting of the World Economic Forum.
