EFE
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Energy For Everyone “EFE”
Powered by solar energy, EFE power banks seek to help displaced populations through their rough journey by lighting their way, and by serving as a battery bank for what has become a survival device: mobile phones.
Why creating a social enterprise?
We have at heart to keep a maximum of independence. It allows us to always follow our convictions and to adapt our action to the needs of the field. This is why we are currently developing a social enterprise. This structure is legally linked to the Turkish association Imece Inisiyatifi Dernegi and cannot exist without it. Its name is "İmece İnisiyatifi Derneği İktisadi İşletmesi", which means "Social Enterprise of Imece Inisiyatif association". This social enterprise facilitates the distribution of EFE solar power banks outside of Turkey. It also makes possible the commercialization of products built within the Imece association, which will allow both the financial independence of Imece and the refugee women we work with. We are working hard to ensure that refugee women in Turkey have access to well-paid jobs and good working conditions. The social enterprise Imece is the first step in this direction.
A life-saving device
Millions of displaced people have made perilous land and sea crossings since the start of the refugee crisis and many more are still making these life-threatening journeys every day. The EFE was designed with these trips in mind. It is a portable powerbank rechargable via standard plug-in electricity or solar energy and features two strong LED lights. Having a portable source of energy means mobile phones can be charged at any time to keep contact with close ones and facilitate life-saving communication.
Life in the camps and beyond
The first prototype EFE solar batteries were distributed to refugee camps in Turkey in 2019. We are committed to always listen to users and constantly improving the EFEs to meet at the maximum the needs of displaced persons. For this reason we have created a second model that quadrupled the battery capacity and attached the charging cables directly to the EFE. In 2022 we have distributed more than 300 EFE solar batteries in Turkey, Bosnia and the borders of Ukraine. This fall 2022 we are conducting an impact study on the Balkan borders that will allow us to refine the energy needs of displaced persons on the mountainous borders and better adapt the EFE.
A good income for the Solar Ladies
The vast majority of refugees in Turkey are women and children. Especially for single mothers, economic independence is a daily struggle. After completing the Solar Age Programme, our trainees can choose to work with us and to build EFE solar powerbanks. In doing so, about half of the income is used to continue our educational activities. The other half is used to finance the salaries of the refugee women, the solar teacher and to cover the cost of materials.
EFE 2.0 & 3.0
We have learned from the original EFE design and have therefore made improvements to the second EFE product. The EFE 2.0 is already being produced and marketed. The latest model, EFE 3.0, will also be released in a few months. The EFE will be available for retail purchase and as a wholesale product in shops after successful certification. There will also be the possibility to buy an EFE powerbank to give to a refugee or a person in need.
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Subtitle
Empathy makes us human
Who is funding this project
This project is fully financed by small private donors who are regularly supporting imece’s activities. Without you nothing would be possible, a huge thank you!