UN-DESA Awards First "Powering the Future We Want" Grant

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) awarded its first ""Powering the Future We Want"" grant to We Care Solar, to enhance and expand the use of its 'Solar Suitcase', a medical device that prevents maternal and child complications during labour in areas without electricity. The $1 million dollar grant aims to fund capacity development activities in energy for sustainable development and is carried out by DESA in collaboration with the China Energy Fund Committee (CEFC), a Hong Kong-based non-governmental organization in consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (second from left) helps present the $1 million dollar award to members of the winning organization, We Care Solar. Also pictured: Sam Kutesa (centre left), President of the sixty-ninth session of the General Assembly; Laura Stachel (centre right), co-founder of We Care Solar; Patrick Ho (second from right), Secretary-General of the CEFC; and Wu Hongbo (right), Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.