Support electricity research in North Kivu
What is the situation in North Kivu?
The research takes place in Virunga Park in North Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Four million people live within walking distance of this park, and depend on its natural resources for their livelihoods. These resources are also illegally traded by various armed groups hiding in the park.
Virunga Alliance, a public-private partnership, seeks to stimulate economic development in order to improve security and nature conservation in the region. To this end, Virunga Alliance is building an electricity network based on hydropower plants.
Research approach
Is electrification really stimulating economic development in this region? Is it making the local population less dependent on the park's natural resources? And will this electrification help to lower local support for the activities of rebel groups? How can we adjust this development intervention to maximise its impact?
The Institute of Development Policy (IOB) at the University of Antwerp is measuring and assessesing the impact of electrification on economic development, security and nature conservation in and around the Virunga Park. They are doing this by measuring 'economic development', 'nature conservation' and 'violence' parameters over time, both in communities connected to the electricity grid in the period 2019-2020 and in similar communities that will not be connected before 2022. Local interviewers are conducting these field surveys with families and businesses, thanks in part to your financial support.
Want to know more about electricity research in North Kivu? Be sure to check out the IOB website.
Support this project
Do you want to support our project? Here's how you can contribute:
Tax relief
Did you know that every donation of 40 euros or more is 45% tax deductible? This is an extra incentive to provide maximum support to our electricity research in Congo.
Step 1 - Donation
There are two ways to donate:
- By bank transfer to bank account number BE42 7310 4624 7854 in the name of 'Universiteit Antwerpen'. Be sure to mention 'fiscaal attest' (tax certificate) and your preferred destination, in this case: 'Electricity North Kivu', in the communication field.
- By online payment, where you can indicate your preferred destination straight away.
Step 2 - Donation form
In order to allocate your donation correctly, we recommend you to also send us the donation form where you indicate your preference for the destination of the amount again.
Send the filled in form:
- digitally: email it to universiteitsfonds@uantwerpen.be ( a scan or photo are sufficient)
OR
- by post: Universiteitsfonds Antwerpen - Middelheimlaan 1 M.A.223 - 2020 Antwerpen