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INFORSE-Europe
INFORSE-Europe is a network of independent non-governmental organizations working for sustainable energy solutions. INFORSE-Europe has 75 members from32 European countries (2007) INFORSE was formed at the Global Forum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992.
INFORSE’s Vision and Aims
INFORSE’s common vision is to develop a world where energy services, necessary for a just and human centred development, are provided in a sustainable way using renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, biomass, biogas, micro hydro).
This implies:
• Defending the environment and combating climate change
• Phase out of nuclear and fossil energy consumption,
• Increased reliance on local solutions
• Equal access for all to energy
• Improved basis for income generation through renewable energy solutions, particularly for the poor
• Increased energy efficiency
• Reduce the drudgery of women
To achieve these, INFORSE and its members work on:
• Communicating of experiences, know-how and visions of member organisations to the public and to decision makers
• Promoting greater participation among civil society organisations in the elaboration of energy strategies and policies
• Influencing national, and international decision making
• Increasing NGO capacity, developing and providing educational tools.
• Reforming the regulatory framework and market conditions
• Integrating environmental, and social costs in the prices
Influencing Global Agenda
INFORSE participates in UN events and their parallel NGO Forums such as Conferences of the UN Climate Convention, Combating Desertification, and follow-up of the Rio Conference.
Structure
INFORSE is organised around the regional co-ordinators, who are working to facilitate co-operation among the member organisations. The members elect the co-ordinators at the General Meetings.
Sustainable Energy News
a quarterly newsletter published since 1992. Some of the last year’s themes were: Women, Poverty, Schools, Climate, Financing, Desertification, Social Change
Contact List - Online Database
1000 contacts of NGOs, and, research, and educational institutes and decision makers. The database is updated annually since 1992. Searchable according to members, contacts, name of organisation and country.
DIERET- Distance Internet Education
Opportunity to study renewable energy via an email course in English on a post graduate level. The course is targeting mainly to increase the knowledge of people active in European NGOs. Started in 2001. The study material is also available on CD. Translated to Russian and Slovakian.
Seminars
INFORSE-Europe has organised NGO seminars since 1992. The seminars are once or twice a year.
Energy & Climate in Schools
Online resource database developed in 2004-06. Cooperation with SPARE. Educational material used in Russia, former CIS countries, Poland, and Romania.
Cooperation Projects
Members are cooperating in projects making mobile exhibition, publications, study visits, campaigns, etc., in Russia, Romania, Ukraine, Hungary, Macedonia etc.
Vision 2050 - 100% Renewables
INFORSE assists its members with preparing national visions and strategies for transition to sustainable energy systems, following the excel-sheet based model. Models developed for EU, Denmark, Lithuania, Ukraine, Slovakia, Belarus, and Romania.
Follow EU Policy
INFORSE-Europe follows EU energy and climate policies and comments on relevant parts based on inputs from the members. Updates and INFORSE-Europe positions are available in the Sustainable Energy News and on the web site. Among the EU policies are structural funds, renewable-energy and energy-efficiency directives.
In 2006, INFORSE-Europe became Associate Member of the EU Sustainable Energy Campaign. INFORSE-Europe has been supported by the European Commission DG Environment - Civil Society Support (2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007).
www.inforse.org/europe