The Rural Energy Development Programme (REDP) of the United Nations Development Programme has been presented the Energy Globe Award 2000 at Linz, Austria. More than 900 projects and initiatives around the world participated in the competition. The awards were given in four categories, i.e., commercial sector, housing, campaigns, and public investment projects. In the public investment projects category, REDP was placed second amongst 900 applicants in all four categories. Nepal and

China were the only Asian countries that made to the final list of 15.

The Energy Globe Award is an award for sustainable energy solutions and honours successful projects and initiatives around the world in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. According to Energiesparverband, Austria, an organization that promotes renewable energy technologies and has instituted this award, the call for submissions met with very high interest worldwide. There were 900 projects and initiatives from 72 countries.

Rural energy in developing countries has contributed to the Human Development Index significantly. Even a small injection of energy into the system improves the lives of the people manifold. Their access to necessities such food, health, and education increases visibly.

The Energy Globe Award is an international recognition of the innovative and impressive accomplishments of REDP, which are being implemented in Nepal since August 1996. In line with the goal of His Majesty's Government of Nepal and UNDP, REDP has been successful in forging ahead in the development of rural areas of the country through promotion of community-managed renewable energy systems showing impressive results in poverty alleviation, environment management, and gender equality.

Towards the end of last year, REDP was also selected to represent its work at the Hannover Expo 2000 to be held in June. This is a prestigious recognition of projects around the world.

REDP supports the government in: (1) institutionalization of a rural energy development agency and formulation of policies; (2) capacity building at the district level to plan and manage rural energy systems; and (3) mobilization of community organizations and private entrepreneurs to plan, implement and operate rural energy systems. The programme is based on decentralized management of development efforts with emphasis placed on community organizations or private entrepreneurs to manage rural energy development. The guidance for community-managed efforts is provided from the district level with the involvement of the DDC, VDCs. line agencies, private sector organizations and NGOs. The development of micro-hydro power development with the effective utilization of water resources and, hence, its linkage with irrigation, water supply, sanitation, agriculture, natural resources (biomass coverage) and cottage industries is emphasized.

Besides, REDP has supported gender equality by creating a conducive environment to involve women in all stages, from planning and implementation to monitoring and evaluation of development activities. The mandatory participation of one female from every household in the community has released them from the tradition of keeping themselves engaged only in the household chores. Now women of even the most backward areas have started to participate in the community development work showing impressive results.

At present REDP is working in more than 70 VDCs of 10 hill district of the country i.e. Baitadi, Dadeldhura, Achham, Baglung, Myagdi, Parbat, Tanahu, Dolkha, Sindhupalchok and Kavrepalanchok.