Since 2010, the Solvatten Group has been working in over 20 programs in Kenya, with the objective to improve living conditions in rural communities, while also increasing forest protection and mitigating CO2 emissions. Working with organizations such as PLAN International, Norwegian Refugee Council, ChildFund and International Aid Service, we have soon reached more than 200 000 people in Kenya with the Solvatten Safe Water System: A Swedish innovation that heats and purifies water from microbiological contaminants, using thermal solar.

Through project implementation focusing on WASH, gender equality, education, and environment, previous program results show a 1:26 Social Return on Investment. The foremost socio-economic benefits are improved health and hygiene, financial savings, and valuable time released from unpaid household chores – especially for women and girls.

From an environmental standpoint, Solvatten enables a decreased use of biomass for treating, heating, and boiling water. Studies show that the average use of Solvatten cuts the use of biomass by 40-50%. In terms of forest conservation and climate mitigation, each unit can save 50-70 trees during its estimated lifespan of seven years.

We regard this climate benefit as a possibility to reach more families through the finance mechanisms of carbon offsetting. This will enable positive synergies among several of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and promote climate justice and resilience for communities already affected by climate change. Hence, we are now entering the process of certifying our Kenyan programs according to Gold Standard.

The proposed project is designed to provide the Solvatten Technology to an estimated 5 000 households annually, starting in Tharaka-Nithi, Wajir and Kilifi. The CO2 emission reductions are claimed by the project to be sold as carbon offsets, to finance the project.

Invitation

We hereby invite you to our Solvatten Stakeholder Consultation Meeting, on the 27^th of October 2022, to share your feedback and comments to help us successfully implement the program according to the strategies and interest of the country, and the local context. Invites are delimited to relevant stakeholders working with water, health, energy, environment, and climate on the local, regional, and national level. The meeting will be held in Tharaka at Methodist Guest House Hall, in Marimant, Kenya, starting at 09.30 am until 13.00.

It will also be streamed digitally for those not able to attend in person via this link.

Draft Agenda for the meeting

1. Opening of the meeting
2. Explanation of the process for question-and-answer  
3. Introduction movie 
4. Introduction of the project
5. Brief story from a user
6. Workshop
7. Presentation of the expected sustainable development impact 
8. Presentation of potential adverse risks
9. Respond to technical questions about the project and the technology
10. Opening up for discussion
11. Sustainable development impact
12. Potential risks
13. Summary of SDG impact and risks
14. Evaluation of the day

Welcome to register for the meeting by sending an email to hello@solvatten.org with SCM in the subject line. Final date for registration is the 17th of October.

If you are not able to attend the meeting but still wish to reach us with feedback or questions, please contact us at hello@solvatten.org with SCM in the subject line.

Link to Gold Standard registry: https://registry.goldstandard.org/projects/details/3459