The Rural Income through Sustainable Energy (RISE) project is one of the projects implemented by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation in Laos. RISE project targets remote villages in Xieng Khuang Province and strives to improve living conditions and livelihoods of poor villages. The project has 4 main components and is implemented with a diverse range of partners.
RISE project is developing approaches that put the needs and aspirations of the target communities at the centre of the energy planning process. Emphasis is put on creating ownership at the local level and on linking improved access to energy with livelihood development activities. Access to energy cannot be a mean to an end in itself. Indeed, access to clean energy can improve living conditions only if the access is long lasting, the energy is used to improve the quality of services and to develop income generating activities at local level and if other basic needs such as improved access to water and sanitation are also satisfied.