In January 2008, the Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy and GVEP International launched a new programme of collaboration with the aim of increasing support to Ashden Award winners and GVEP partners.

GVEP International is a UK-based NGO dedicated to supporting energy access enterprise in developing countries in the effort to tackle poverty. Working in partnership with stakeholders from a large number of sectors, GVEP International offers a range of products and services geared to achieving its goals, including access to finance, training and technical assistance, monitoring and evaluation, adaptation to climate change and knowledge dissemination.

The Ashden Awards have recognised a need to offer their winners more ongoing, practical support. The agreement with GVEP International will include collaboration on regional activities, participation at events, and information and knowledge sharing. GVEP International will offer follow up technical assistance to the 2007 Ashden Awards winners, to ensure the long-term sustainability of their projects.

For more information about GVEP International, please visit their website at www.gvepinternational.org