Database for energy insight in low-income rural housing
The EC-funded project, SPARK-NET consists of a network of knowledge that operates as a virtual community which meets and publishes through the Internet via the World Wide Web and email. It has brought stakeholders together from eight countries in Southern and East Africa and three from the EU on the topic of energy in low-income rural households. The network began by drawing comparisons and contrasts between common current energy situations in rural households in each country. This helped to reveal policy alternatives and innovation opportunities. A knowledge bank containing fundamental participants and projects was then created. This can determine the results of policies already in use and foster debate regarding the best practices and alternative approaches. On this basis, policy options were created and two international Internet conferences took place to help distribute the findings. Included in this dissemination is the database which was created. This database can be accessed by the public at www.sparknet.info/home.php
