In the Bachat project in India, FairClimateFund and its project partner FCF India are working together to distribute improved cookstoves and strengthen local communities. In this project update, you can read about the activities carried out in 2025 and the impact the project has had so far on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In 2025, the Bachat project in India focused on bringing about sustainable change within the community. Together with project partner FCF India, work continued on building a local network of women, technical specialists and community leaders who promote and support the use of improved cookstoves. This is leading not only to an increase in the number of users, but also to greater confidence in the technology and the long-term impact of the project.
Women as a driving force
Through the SHE School Model (Sustainable Household Energy), women were trained as ambassadors for clean cooking. The training went beyond simply learning how to use the cookstove. Participants learnt about leadership, behavioural change and supporting other families in making the switch to clean cooking. This creates a strong local network that accelerates the uptake of the cookstoves.
Better support and maintenance
To provide better support to users, the reporting and complaints procedure was improved and local representatives received additional technical training. In addition, a maintenance network was set up in collaboration with Greenway, comprising 37 trained technicians and two regional workshops. This enables parts to be replaced and cookstoves to be repaired locally, thereby extending the lifespan of the appliances.
More than just clean cooking
The impact of the project extends beyond a healthier kitchen. Spending less time gathering firewood gives women the opportunity to develop new economic activities. In various villages, women’s groups are using this extra time to gather and sell forest products such as mahua and tamarind. As a result, the improved cookstoves not only reduce smoke and wood consumption, but also provide extra income and greater economic independence.
