In the Energy Justice funding theme, Siemenpuu’s aim is to support development of sustainable energy systems serving rural communities by advancing participatory energy planning and community-based renewable energy production.
In the theme, Siemenpuu supports the project activities of civil society organisations in Mali and Myanmar. If funding is not possible to Myanmar due to security reasons, project calls will be opened to Nepal.
Siemenpuu aims to support work that on the one hand advocates democratic, socially just and environmentally sustainable energy systems, and on the other hand fosters community-based renewable energy planning and production serving the autonomy and well-being of marginalised rural communities through sustainable and locally appropriate solutions with solar, wind or microhydro power.
Project activities may include any type of advocacy work, like training of civil society, communities and decision-makers on energy planning and sustainable/renewable energy, supporting energy project-related struggles, campaigns, research and public information work. The projects are also encouraged/expected to empower local communities to plan and maintain their sustainable modes of energy production, distribution and consumption, which would enhance local well-being and enable development of the local economy.
Energy justice is a concept, where justice principles are linked in in energy policy, energy production and systems, energy consumption, energy activism, energy security and climate change. In addition, it includes reducing of energy poverty (SDG 7). Siemenpuu promotes systemic sustainability transition, which in terms of energy sector and policies means fostering fast adoption of environmentally sound and socially equitable low-carbon solutions. It is important to address the root causes of the currently unequal distribution of benefits and burdens of energy-related decisions.
The concept of energy justice underlines how the transition needs to be socially just and address the root causes of the currently unequal distribution of benefits and burdens of energy-related decisions. To achieve energy justice, it is important to strengthen the voice of the most affected and marginalised groups of people (women, disabled, minorities, indigenous people) and to enable them to influence and participate in the decision-making processes on energy policies.
There is need to dismantle all obstructions that slow down the sustainable energy transition, including fossil-based and otherwise unsustainable modes of producing, distributing and consuming energy.