Hivos, founded in 1968, is a Dutch non-governmental not-for-profit development organization inspired by humanist values. Together with more than 800 partner organizations in over 30 countries across the globe, 170 staff members and 13 offices worldwide, including 2 in Indonesia, Hivos seeks to contribute to a free, fair, and sustainable world. This is a world in which all citizens have equal access to the resources and opportunities for their development, and where they can actively and equally participate in decision-making processes that determine their lives, their society and their future. Hivos believes in the creativity and the capacity of individuals. Quality, cooperation, and innovation form the core values in Hivos’ way of working.

Hivos believes in the creativity and capacity of individuals. Quality, co-operation and innovation form the core concepts in Hivos’ philosophy. Hivos is committed to the poor and marginalized in Africa, Asia and Latin America. A sustainable improvement in their conditions is the ultimate benchmark for Hivos’ work and efforts. The empowerment of women is an essential concern in all its programs.

Sustainable energy is good for the climate and for developing countries

If the western world continues to consume such large quantities of fossil energy, the effects on the climate will be catastrophic. Developing countries suffer the most by climate change. They are poorly equipped to defend themselves against the effects of a changing climate.

For instance, many countries have no dikes to protect themselves against flooding and there is no insurance to cover damages caused by hurricanes or flooding, which are occurring more frequently. Other effects and consequences of climate change are also becoming increasingly apparent, from an increase of (waterborne) diseases like malaria and dengue fever – to which developing countries are vulnerable in their defenses against them - as well as an increase in forced migration.

Biogas plants

This is why developing countries benefit the most from renewable energy. Hivos invests in sustainable energy generators in the South, such as hydropower, solar power and biomass, which do not require costly energy networks as the energy sources are widely available and can be deployed on a small, decentralized scale. An example of this is a biogas plant that generates energy for one family with a small amount of livestock.

Hivos started an access to energy program in developing countries in 2005. The energy program focuses on the decentralized production of bio-diesel, micro-hydro electricity, the construction of energy efficient stoves and –through the Hivos Climate compensation Fund– the marketing of the emission reduction credits from the Cambodian National Biodigester Program. Together with SNV and DGIS, Hivos is participating in the six country biogas program in Africa which has become operational in 2009.