The workshop will bring together government representatives and key stakeholders to discuss the role of renewable energy for rural development of off-grid communities, reflect on existing challenges and to formulate policy recommendations for moving forward. Workshop topics to be discussed include: renewable energy for productive use and provision of social services; lessons for sustainability; reaching “the last mile”; an integrated approach for the development of smart villages. The event will take place on May 3 in Panama City, Panama, and will be preceded by a field visit to a rural energy project on May 2. Smart Villages aims to facilitate the analysis and exchange of knowledge between the public sector, non-governmental organizations and the private sector, based on experiences in the field of rural electrification through sustainable energy sources. A key objective is to explore the opportunities and challenges for rural energy access for off-grid communities in developing countries.
