The main objective of the project is to reduce the consumption of non-renewable biomass through the diffusion of 6,000 improved cook stoves, as well as the strengthening of capacity of the villagers in the Extreme North of Cameroon.
After its establishment in 1998 in Maroua, APELD started its activities of environmental protection in the Northern Province of Cameroon, primarily in Garoua, with the foundation of the nursery of Lamidat. The campaign to promote and to diffuse improved cook stoves started in 2003 in Garoua with a youth forum. About 500 representatives of at least 10 different municipal secondary schools and youth associations participated.
The results have been satisfactory and since then, several projects have been executed. Almost every city in the North has been included. The applied methodology, which takes into account the involvement and the characteristics of the targeted population, is the main reason for this positive outcome. In the course of this project, it is necessary to establish a comprehensive program that allows technology transfer to the 4 northernareas.
To acquire a significant reduction of carbon emissions, it is necessary to strongly involve house builders, tinsmiths and other local actors involved in the sector. Creating widespread awareness through appropriate tools is a key determinant of success, effectiveness and sustainability of the project.
Therefore, APELD bases its work on a participatory strategy for local development and project management.
The various steps include:
- Sensitization of stakeholders on the concept of sustainable management of biodiversity and the wood energy issue,
- Capacity building of key actors (house makers and tinsmiths) through training and testing of controlled cooking and
monitoring and evaluation of project activities to measure the project-impacts.