REAL - Burkina Faso: 2022-2025 PUE Pilot contribution

Most of the specific objectives was planned to be partially achieved and the conditions for their takeover by local players was already in place when the major amendment was made. As a result of the reduced budget 21 activities was implemented instead of the 29 (72%) initially planned. Below are excerpts of the more interesting results and training activities achieved and implemented during the intervention's activity period. Several of the activities have involved synergies with other programs and initiatives funded by Sweden or other donors, with ProvalAB 2, the Weoog Paani project and the BeoogPuuto project being the projects where the most collaboration could take place. Capacity building and social impact: - 15,937 farmers, 10 renewable energy technology providers and 6 microfinance institutions have been involved and benefited from the intervention. - Activities have successfully brought together farmers, local technology providers and financial institutions. - The intervention has demystified the use of technology and has had a strong focus on hands-on approach and conducted equipment demonstrations. Special attention has been paid to gender-specific needs. - Knowledge exchange between countries have been promoted through study visits, including a visit to Rwanda. Implementation of technology, market linkages and digitalization: - 136 renewable energy systems were installed (solar pumps, biogas plants, refrigeration systems, etc.), with a total of 7122 benefitting smallholder farmers. Nearly 80% of the workers in the value chain have been women. - Communityled demonstration sites have been created to promote the use of PUE technologies. - Design of a PUE catalogue. The design of the catalogue is a key element in the implementation of the REAL BF programme. In fact, this activity has enabled Practical Action to list the companies supplying technologies and also to have a clearer idea of the technologies they offer. A total of 18 companies filled in the form with information on the technologies they have. The information gathered was also used to develop tools for the training and awareness raising sessions for small scale farmers. Solar pumping, solar mills, solar conservation and improved stoves were among technologies included in the training sessions. - The Yiriwali platform,has been developed a decision support platform and application for PUE investments, available in several local languages. The platform brings together renewable energy technology providers with farmers and reduces the gap between stakeholders. Effects and impacts on the environment, climate and enhanced economic conditions for the beneficiaries: - It is estimated that the project has reduced CO2 emissions by 1 437 tons annually through energy efficient solutions. - 135 hectares of forest have been conservation through reduced wood consumption. - Biogas plants have produced 148 tons of compost and 1286 kg of biogas per year, improving agricultural sustainability. The training for farmers in agricultural techniques covered compost production techniques, biopesticide production techniques, techniques for making livestock feed from biodigester effluent, and the application of compost/effluent in the field. - A capacity of 97 kWp has been installed and the total sustainable energy produced including solar, biogas and energy efficiency amounts to 180MWh. - On average, farmers increased their annual income by at least 50,000 CFA (around 85USD) and the contribution has enabled solar irrigation of 115 hectares during the off-season.

The decision to phase out the Swedish bilateral development cooperation in Burkina Faso that led to reduced funds and implementation time for REALBF consequently led to modified expectations to achieve the project objectives. The following original objectives of the contribution was not likely to be fully achieved: - bridge the knowledge gap on productive use of solar energy for smallholder farmers, farmer groups and aggregators in Burkina Faso. - demonstrate the user demand for productive use of solar energy to technology providers. - collaborate with existing market actors, including Sida funded programmes, in providing linkages to financing of PUE assets and route to market for agricultural produce. - develop an online portal where the knowledge generated can be shared with all relevant stakeholders. Further details of the changes can be found the appraisal for the major amendment (REF 24/00103958) and decision (REF 24/00103957). Below are the projects objectives stated in its original form: Overall Objective: To improve the income generation opportunities for smallholder farmers in Burkina Faso through increased adoption of productive use of solar energy. Specific Objectives: To bridge the knowledge gap on productive use of solar energy for smallholder farmers, farmer groups and aggregators in Burkina Faso. To demonstrate the user demand for productive use of solar energy to technology providers. To collaborate with existing market actors, including Sida funded programmes, in providing linkages to financing of PUE assets and route to market for agricultural produce. To develop an online portal where the knowledge generated can be shared with all relevant stakeholders. These objectives remain relevant and underpin the implementation of the project. However, for the purposes of monitoring in line with the resultsbased management approach, the results chain has been made more consistent in order to better understand the changes brought about by the project. The results have been reformulated as follows: Ultimate Result : To sustainably improve the wellbeing of smallholders (women and young people) in agricultural and forestry value chains by increasing their income through the adoption of renewable energy. Intermediate result 1: Increased use of renewable energy solutions by women and young people in Burkina Faso's agricultural and forestry value chains. Immediate Result 1.1: Increased capacity of smallholders (women and young people) in agricultural and forestry value chains to use Renewable Energy solutions. Immediate Result 1.2: Improved supply of PUE solutions adapted to the needs of farmers in agricultural and forestry value chains Immediate Result 1.3: Increased capacity of financial institutions and agricultural aggregators to finance adapted PUE solutions. Intermediate Result 2: The business and market environment for PUE solutions is improved in Burkina Faso Immediate Result 2.1: Improved access to technical information on relevant PUE solutions Immediate Result 2.2: Increased market opportunities for PUE solutions.