The project main working approaches are:

a) Participatory planning

The starting point of the project intervention is the aspiration of the community, its needs, readiness to invest, willingness to pay for services as well as the existence of or planned activities which could benefit from access to modern forms of sustainable energy. 

b) Public – private partnership

At village level, committed villagers are identified and trained to form village organizations representing the village and its energy users in all decisions related to energy access. The village organizations are the owners of the energy systems and represent the public side of the partnership. The private sector plays a crucial role by designing and installing the technologies, organizing the necessary technical trainings, back-stopping the village organizations and supplying spare parts.

c) Development of value chains

Income generating activities developed at village level with newly available energy are linked to existing or new value chains. Emphasis is put on the sustainable use of local resources.

d) Gender sensitivity

Particular attention afforded to the empowerment of women, ensuring their participation in the village level discussions and inclusion in the created village organizations. Furthermore the uses of energy promoted by the project often benefit mainly women (e.g. reduction of households chores, production of handicraft, etc.)

e) Environmental protection

Promoting small scale renewable energy has positive impacts on both the local and global environment. 

f) Advocacy

A new paradigm to supply electricity in remote areas needs to be found and implemented. Both centralized and decentralized power generation need to be promoted hand in hand. RISE project is pro-active in the renewable energy policy dialogue at national and regional levels.

g) Involvement of local partners

Local authorities and local non-profit associations are selected on a case by case basis to work as project partners with local communities.