Energy efficient housing solutions for rural communities in Tajikistan
24 November 2016
The OSCE Head of Office in Tajikistan, Tuula Yrjola, opened the workshop by stressing the importance of energy efficient housing solutions for rural communities, engagement in policy dialogue and capacity-building for local governments, Dushanbe, 24 November 2016. (OSCE/Ronan Shenhav)
Around 60 participants, including representatives from the government, international organizations, NGOs and donors, attended the presentations. The workshop aimed at promoting policy dialogue between different organizations and experts by sharing experiences and case studies, Dushanbe, 24 November 2016. (OSCE/Ronan Shenhav)
Speakers from GERES, the Mountain Societies Development Support Programme (MSDSP), Habitat for Humanity, Unison Group, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), as well as several architects and energy efficiency experts presented their findings on the most practical energy efficient technology, architecture, policy-making and financial solutions, Dushanbe, 24 November 2016. (OSCE/Ronan Shenhav)
During the two-day workshop experts shared their experiences with the construction of green homes, national awareness raising campaigns, norms and regulations, financing solutions and cases from neighbouring countries, Dushanbe, 25 November 2016. (OSCE/Ronan Shenhav)
Particular attention was paid to increasing the knowledge of Tajikistan’s regional and local authorities participating in the workshop. Local authorities set norms and rules and are able to engage in awareness raising campaigns, which makes them essential for introducing energy efficient practices, Dushanbe, 25 November 2016. (OSCE/Ronan Shenhav)
Tajik participants listened with great interest to representatives from the Unison Group, a Kyrgyz NGO that has been extensively working on energy-efficiency projects in the construction sector of Kyrgyzstan and has been achieving many successes, Dushanbe, 24 November 2016. (OSCE/Ronan Shenhav)
A field visit was organized to the Rudaki district in order to demonstrate an energy efficient house that is under construction by GERES. The pilot-project will set an example for other parts of Tajikistan and will create more awareness of a wide range of energy efficient measures, Rudaki, 24 November 2016. (OSCE/Ronan Shenhav)
In sub-zero temperatures, the participants listened to an expert explaining how the design is constructed with extremely cheap building materials, while fitting into the architectural surroundings of a Tajik village and employing the latest cost-effective isolation techniques, Rudaki, 24 November 2016. (OSCE/Ronan Shenhav)
The Green Home Concept will exhibit energy efficiency practices by introducing low energy consumption, economically affordable, hazard resilient and ecologically friendly principles in two individual housing units, Rudaki, 24 November 2016. (OSCE/Ronan Shenhav)
Currently inhabiting a poorly isolated house in sub-zero winter conditions, this family will move into the Green Home as soon as it is finished. Like many people in rural areas, they suffer from insufficient electricity supply and have heating for a few hours per day only. Their new house will provide essential isolation helping with heating costs, and a comfortable living space, Rudaki, 24 November 2016. (OSCE/Ronan Shenhav)
Rural communities often lack the financial means to establish sufficient housing conditions. Harsh climate, hot summers and cold winters, has an effect on everyday life of the local communities: on their health, education performance and economic development of these regions, Rudaki, 24 November 2016. (OSCE/Ronan Shenhav)
Tajikistan is increasingly facing deforestation as villagers in rural communities are forced to cut down trees to warm their houses and cook their food. Energy waste due to ageing houses, poor isolation and insufficient knowledge on energy efficient measures are adding to these environmental concerns, Rudaki, 24 November 2016. (OSCE/Ronan Shenhav)
An energy saving “Nepali” improved stove was built in order to demonstrate efficient cooking methods for the local villagers. Constructed from cheap local building materials, it provides heating for two cooking pots by using only a minimal amount of firewood, Rudaki, 24 November 2016. (OSCE/Ronan Shenhav)
A practical manual, published in Tajik, Russian and English, will enable rural communities to employ simple and cost-effective energy saving methods themselves. The manual presents affordable energy efficient concepts, background information on climate and solar use, insulation techniques and architectural plans, Dushanbe, 24 November 2016. (OSCE/GERES)