This report presents findings from a capacity assessment conducted by Community Empowerment for Creative Innovation (CECI Uganda) under the SUSTAINED project in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement and Yumbe District, Uganda. The study assessed the capacities of community-based groups, including Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), cooperatives, and farmer groups, to promote the uptake and utilization of renewable energy technologies, with a focus on clean cookstoves (CCS) and the productive use of energy (PUE). The assessment employed a mixed-methods approach, including household surveys with 383 group members, six focus group discussions, and 13 key informant interviews. Findings reveal a high level of awareness and demand for renewable energy solutions, with 96.3% of respondents expressing a need for energy-related technologies, particularly solar lighting and clean cookstoves. However, only 41.5% reported using renewable energy for productive purposes, and many households still rely on traditional stoves and low-cost, non-durable solutions.
Key challenges include the high upfront cost of products, lack of affordable financing, limited availability of quality technologies, and inadequate after-sales support. Only 24.8% of respondents accessed financial support for renewable energy in the past year, with high interest rates and low awareness acting as major barriers. While women and youth actively participate in group activities and decision-making, they face barriers related to workload, lack of collateral, and limited information access. The assessment concludes that meaningful uptake of renewable energy technologies can only be achieved by addressing affordability, accessibility, and inclusivity barriers through tailored loan products, subsidized equipment, last-mile distribution, strengthened training, and gender-responsive interventions.