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“Energy is freedom for women,” shares Anisa Abibulloeva from the Little Earth, the winner of the 2024 Gender Just Climate Solutions Award in the Technical Climate Solutions category. “And empowering women with energy is empowering the whole community.”
The Yaghnob Valley, nestled in Tajikistan’s remote mountains, is home to the Yaghnobi people – descendants of the ancient Sogdians. For centuries, they have lived in isolation, grappling with energy poverty and harsh conditions. This picturesque valley becomes cut off from the outside world in winter due to landslides and rockfalls, making access extremely difficult.
In response to these challenges, The Little Earth has launched an initiative to build resilient communities through small-scale solar energy projects and resource-saving technologies. The project aims to bring sustainable solutions, particularly solar power, to remote mountainous communities like those in the Yaghnob Valley.
“Women in this community play an indispensable role in daily life. They manage the household chores, care for the children, prepare meals, and take on physically demanding tasks such as livestock management and fuel collection,” says Timur Idrisov, Senior adviser and the initiator of the Yaghnob project.
Despite their vital contributions, women in the Yaghnob Valley face restrictions on mobility and participation in public and economic activities due to patriarchal norms. Energy poverty further exacerbates their struggles. The valley, not connected to the national electricity grid, relies on fragile homemade hydropower systems, while families depend on firewood, dried manure, and occasionally coal for cooking and heating. This reliance contributes to deforestation and poor indoor air quality, especially affecting women and children.
“Our project began with a simple yet transformative idea: empowering young women as agents of change and a catalyzer of a just transition. In the remote Yaghnob Valley, where energy poverty and environmental challenges intersect with deeply rooted gender inequalities, we saw an opportunity to equip women with tools and knowledge to transform not just their lives, but their communities,” says Anisa.
To address these issues, 40+ women from 11 villages have been trained to use and maintain solar devices and energy-efficient technologies. This shift reduces environmental degradation, eliminates harmful fumes, and supports women in developing technical skills, easing their unpaid workloads, and integrating them into local and national decision-making processes.
“The impact of this project has been profound. It’s not just about energy access; it’s about transforming lives, putting women's empowerment and environmental conservation at the core of our work,” says Anisa.
The Little Earth initiative, recognized with the 2024 GJCS Award – an award supported by the Climate Technology Centre and Network – in the Technical Climate Solutions category, exemplifies how small-scale renewable energy projects can give agency to women and enhance community resilience.
“This equipment helps me a lot. On sunny days, we can boil water and cook food without any problems on this device. It's very convenient to always have hot water and ready meals. This year, I haven't used open fire at all. You can cook pilaf; if you count from the moment, you close the lid, it's ready in almost 40 minutes. Other dishes cook even faster - 20 minutes, half an hour. For example, potato dishes. And eggs take only 10 minutes”, said Surayo Rakhmatzoda, the project’s beneficiary.
The project’s success shows the potential of decentralized clean energy solutions in remote communities. It has reduced CO2 emissions by up to 3 tons per household annually and significantly improved health outcomes by reducing indoor air pollution. Moreover, it contributes to the global goal of tripling renewable energy capacity by focusing on off-grid communities.
Despite logistical challenges, such as the valley’s inaccessibility for up to five months each year, the initiative continues to grow. The Little Earth aims to expand its reach, focusing on youth and creating long-term and gender-responsive solutions that promote environmental sustainability.
The future of energy solutions in the Yaghnob Valley and beyond relies on scalable models like The Little Earth’s. By addressing climate challenges inclusively and sustainably, the project demonstrates how local actions can create meaningful change.
Read more about the 2024 Gender Just Climate Solutions Award.