17/07/2025
The ICC’s climate solutions team visited Gumla (Jharkhand), one of the focal districts for a pathbreaking clean energy and livelihood initiative led on the ground by our NGO partner, Mlinda Charitable Trust (MCT).
Across 14 villages in Gumla and Lohardaga, MCT is enabling rural communities to tap into the power of solar mini-grids, turning clean energy into a catalyst for economic independence and climate resilience.
From mustard and groundnut processing units to sal leaf value chains, clean energy is fuelling 33 micro-enterprises, many of them led by women. These aren’t just businesses; they are vehicles for empowerment, income generation, and dignity.
Women make up 50% of participating entrepreneurs, and their leadership is visible across every layer of this project, from agriculture to enterprise development and local governance. They are cultivating more than crops: they are cultivating confidence, community, and climate action.
With climate-smart farming practices being adopted across 70% of targeted farms, the region is not just reducing its CO₂ emissions by 30%, but also strengthening its natural resource base for the generations to come.
With 4 collection centers set up through local FPOs, farmers and producers now have stronger access to markets — enabling better prices, reduced waste, and a more sustainable value chain.
MCT’s grassroots efforts are unlocking the full potential of clean energy by making it local, inclusive, and enterprise-driven.
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Photo credits Mlinda Charitable Trust and
