MLINDA CHARITABLE TRUST –
WHO WE ARE
Mlinda Charitable Trust (MCT) is a not for profit entity, registered in India in the State of West Bengal as a Public Charitable Trust. To further our objectives of improving the lives of people of India through the provision of clean energy, the Trustees have chosen to enter into a relationship with the Mlinda Group, led by Mlinda Foundation CIO, a UK registered charity.
Mlinda Foundation’s website can be found here.
Since 2014, Mlinda Charitable Trust has been integral to Mlinda’s rural electrification project, delivered first in the Sunderbans and, currently, in Gumla district, Jharkhand. We support communities to build financially and environmentally sustainable businesses and livelihoods using solar renewable energy. This is done by building up the local economic infrastructure to support the growth of these businesses and performing research and development on innovative ways to do this.
Over the next 3 – 5 years, we aim to play a central role in the Mlinda Group, creating and implementing a vision of sustainable economic development, using renewable energy as a catalyst for that growth which can be replicated, at scale, by many other organisations across the world.
The Project
MCT’s goal is to ‘promote sustainable economic development’ in the villages using solar energy solutions as a platform. We support the communities to build financially and environmentally sustainable businesses from solar energy. The villages experience positive environmental, social and financial outcomes such as a reduction in CO2 emissions and increased household incomes. Women spend less time on domestic chores and children study longer under healthier lighting.
MCT is working in rural India to improve income of marginalised communities and generate local jobs through inclusive livelihood enhancement initiatives resulting in creation of a vibrant market eco-system and wellbeing of the communities.
The MCT model focuses on a multi pronged approach to economic development involving rural technology innovation, strengthening the value chain, improving access to finance and greater business skills among the community.
WHY WE EXIST
Mlinda exists to ensure people can live well – and continue to live well – on the planet even as population grows and economies develop.
Our mission
Create
incentives
for manufacturers
to produce well
Enable
individuals
to consume
wisely
Achieve
sustainable
production
and consumption
Contact us
The challenge that Mlinda addresses – ensuring environmentally sustainable development – must take place on a global scale, far beyond the capacity of a single charity. We see our role as a catalyst for change – researching, piloting, and proving effective models that can be replicated at scale by others around the world. We welcome collaboration with like minded partners to further this work and are happy to accept contributions, financial or otherwise to further our work. Please get in touch with us and spread the word to your networks.