Urbis Foundation Togo (UFT)

The Urbis Foundation (UFT) is a non profit organisation created in 2002 in Munich/Germany by the family EPP.

The objectives of Urbis Foundation are to promote renewable energy in all its forms, particularly solar energy, to ensure sustainable economic and social development for the population; to support the protection of the environment and the climate at national and international level; to support for sustainable and human development to improve living conditions in disadvantaged countries and regions; to support for cultural exchanges and understanding between peoples to strengthen international awareness and solidarity.

Its target group is children, young people, women and the poor and vulnerable.

Focus Area(s) of Work

• Solar energy and energy efficiency: Training craftsmen and trainee electricians and electronics engineers in the installation, servicing and maintenance of PV systems. Pilot installations of solar PV and thermal systems in health centres. Offers of work placements to beneficiaries of solar training courses. Entrepreneurship training for young people trained in solar energy. Donation of work tools to young people trained. Raising public awareness of the benefits and use of PV systems. Organising and supporting solar events. Advocacy on solar issues.
• Environment and sustainable agriculture: Training and subsidies for young people (of both sexes) to set up farming that is resilient to climate change. Training young people and agricultural cooperatives in solar-based irrigation. Raising awareness of climate change issues and tree planting in primary schools.
• Education and vocational training: training in IT, secretarial, accounting and computer maintenance skills. Availability of a public library. Internship opportunities for students.
• Public health: Supply of medicines and medical equipment (hospital beds; delivery beds; examination beds; mattresses; minor surgery equipment; dressing materials, etc.) to health centres. Placement of trainee midwives and birth attendants. Mobile diabetes and blood pressure tests and caring for patients. Installation of PV systems for lighting and vaccine storage, and solar water heaters for maternity units. Raising public awareness of health issues.
• Social and humanitarian actions: Sponsorship of pupils and apprentice dressmakers by paying school and apprenticeship fees, donating school kits and sewing equipment (machines, ribbons, etc.); student bursaries. Supporting and equipping kindergartens. Establishment of birth certificates for pupils. Interest-free microcredit for poor and vulnerable women.

Method(s) Used to Achieve Objectives

In order to achieve our objectives, our strategy is based on:

• A participative approach;
• Awareness-raising;
• Listening and negotiation;
• Training; and
• Monitoring and evaluation of actions.

Project(s)

• Training and setting up agro-entrepreneurs project: Extension of solar irrigation for agricultural production in the central region of Togo
• Green schools project
• Capacity-building for craftsmen and electrical and electronics students in the installation of solar PV systems on isolated sites project
• Female leadership in the installation and maintenance of off-grid solar PV systems project
• Birth certificat for all project
• Mobile diabetes and blood pressure tests project

Project Partner(s)

• GIZ-ProEnergy
• Urbis Foundation Germany

Funding

Urbis Foundation Germany; GIZ-ProEnergy; Hanns Seidel Foundation; Ambassy of the Federal Republic of Germany