A project to produce and distribute sustainable heating briquettes complements the Real Pearl Foundation’s numerous endeavours to lift rural communities in Hungary out of energy poverty.
Rural communities in Hungary face challenges of generational and energy poverty, partly due to high prices of natural gas and a reliance on traditional heating methods like firewood and coal. In 2010, an estimated 10% to 30% of the population was in energy poverty, with these numbers higher in rural communities.
Recognising that affordable, safe heating is a major obstacle to escaping poverty, the Real Pearl Foundation has launched a pilot programme to produce and distribute environmentally friendly briquettes for heating. These briquettes are less expensive and more efficient than other forms of heating typically used by low-income families. In parallel, the Foundation carries out energy efficiency projects such as installing insulation and new lightbulbs. Finally, their work installing pre-paid electricity meters allows local residents to consume energy legally.
This is a new area of activity for the Foundation, which has a diverse approach to sustainable community development and poverty alleviation, with efforts focused across three pillars:
Education including initiatives such as a primary art school for developing social competencies, a scholarship programme, after-school activities and various programs targeting integration.
Community development and job creation covering topics such as crisis management, self-sufficiency skills development, debt management, establishing community rules and job creation.
Collaboration with institutions through mediation between families and institutions, promoting participatory democracy, and other activities.
During the impact programme, the Real Pearl Foundation aims to create a business plan for the expansion of briquette production, with a goal to demonstrate that a sustainable social business that can be scaled up across Hungary.
The Real Pearl Foundation is one of 15 finalists in the 2019 Social Innovation to Tackle Energy Poverty Initiative, launched by the Schneider Electric Foundation, Enel, and the Ashoka Foundations of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania.