Sector Directory

Organization

SELCO Foundation

Mission

SELCO Foundation is a nonprofit organization registered in 2010. Its main aim is to achieve sustainable development of under-served communities by establishing appropriate technologies, services and systems. Through identification, holistic innovation and partnerships the lab is primarily the last-mile solution provider for technology, finance and processes - that enhance livelihood of, or quality of life for, low-income customers.

Organizational Expertise

Climate/Environment, Finance / Investment, Livelihoods, Lab or Field Testing

Technologies & Fuels

Solar

Clean Cooking Activities

Many slums in Bangalore do not have access to and cannot afford any of the improved cook stoves designed for them. In urban slums, unlike in the rural setting, women have a greater role in decision making on household expenditure. Firewood is typically purchased at high costs unlike in the rural setting, due to availability issues. Through an in-depth need assessment and testing- Labs has worked on testing cook stove designs with the feedback from women. We are currently working on the dissemination and financial models of the stove. Although the processes established in this project will be scalable the sales will be limited and controlled with the intention being to monitor and evaluate savings and effectiveness of the stoves.
The one thing determined through this project so far is that -there is a learning curve involved in ‘how to use the stove'. Hence, if the stoves are sold without a large component of awareness, training and monitoring, they are of insignificant value.

Partnership

Approach:
In the past, SELCO Labs has been involved in the demonstration and user research of small biomass cook stoves. The Labs believes that that there is a large scope for energy efficiency and a greater role for renewable energy in cooking solutions. Despite the existence of multiple improved stove designs in the market, efficient cook stoves continue to be an unsolved problem in many regions of India. It is clear that a 'one size fits all' approach cannot be used for cook stoves. Labs has now taken a different approach to evaluate and disseminate cook stoves.
The new designs being worked on are based completely on end-user testing and feedback rather than solely on scientific research.

Segmentation:
Our main focus regions so far have been rural South Karanataka and Urban slums (migrants from North Karnataka). Analysis of the two and the stark differences have allowed us to determine specific criteria and the reasons for acceptability of existing cook stoves, giving us a good idea as to why a certain feature would or would not work.

What Labs can do?

> Propose processes for testing and evaluation in other communities
> Share verdicts and dissemination possibilities from the field
> Provide recommendations for design improvement, and
> Facilitate system integration and partnerships

Regions Operating In

South Asia

Country Based In

India

Address

#742, 15th Cross
6th Phase, J P Nagar
Bangalore, Kranataka 560078

Website

https://www.selcofoundation.org/selcolabs/

Primary Point of Contact

Name: Ms. Huda Jaffer

Title: Lead Designer

Email: huda@selco-india.com

Phone: 91 96866 81504