Shillong, Mar 14:A renewable energy initiative undertaken by the Sauramandala Foundation under the Small Grants Programme (SGP) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Global Environment Facility (GEF) has been recognised for the Best Innovator Award at the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2026.
The recognition was announced as part of the Best Innovation Ideas on Green Practices Awards, which celebrate grassroots initiatives advancing clean energy adoption, climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods.
The initiative focuses on integrating renewable energy solutions with community-led enterprises in rural areas. Through the programme, solar-powered systems have been introduced to support small businesses, local enterprises and community spaces while improving access to sustainable energy. By linking renewable energy technologies with local entrepreneurship, the initiative aims to reduce dependence on conventional energy sources while enabling communities to adopt more sustainable practices.
The projects also contribute to strengthening climate resilience and expanding livelihood opportunities in the areas where they are implemented.
The awards were presented during the thematic session, ‘Women at the Frontlines of Climate Action: Community-Led Pathways to Achieve SDGs’, which emphasised the significance of community leadership and women’s initiatives to advance climate action.
The program’s impact extends to notable achievements, such as the recent recognition of rural entrepreneur Reena Nongrum, who won the Best Stall Award at the National Conference on Agri-Tech Innovation and Digital Pathways for Agri-Startups (NCIPAS-2026). Furthermore, the local initiative highlighting women’s empowerment saw Ibakordor Wahlang awarded the Women Achiever’s Award 2026 for her commitment to the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative.
