Meet Island Sumba, an Indonesian island home to more than 650,000 people. Many of them do not have access to energy, which makes living conditions difficult. At night there is no light to do homework for example, or to continue working. Electricity that is available is generated with diesel generators. This is going to change. Hivos, in collaboration with others such as governments, the energy company and anyone who wishes to cooperate, is going to supply Sumba of 100% sustainable energy. Access to energy is something everyone is entitled to, and furthermore a vital condition to create more prosperity.
Rich countries consume large quantities of fossil fuels, which makes them responsible for the climate change across the world. People in developing countries are largely affected by this. Hivos therefore encourages a transition to renewable energy and invests in sustainable energy in developing countries.
Emancipation and development are inextricably linked to the right to freedom, self-determination and equal access to opportunities and possibilities. For that reason the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) or any other sexual minority are also important in this process. Hivos supports partner organisations in their struggle for social acceptance, the freedom to express sexual identity, counteracting homophobia and scrapping anti-gay laws.