Modern Cooking for Healthy Forests Project launches a business accelerator programme
The Modern Cooking for Health Forests (MCHF) in Malawi project in partnership with mHub and in coordination with the Government of Malawi has launched a business accelerator programme.
The main goal of the Modern Cooking for Health Forests Accelerator is to support and nurture early-stage entrepreneurs to grow and expand their businesses in the supply of alternative cooking energies and fuel-efficient cooking technologies.
Speaking during the launch of the programme in Lilongwe, Vincent Kumwenda, the Chief Executive Officer for mHub said, “The programme is intended to improve skills and knowledge of entrepreneurs in the supply of alternative sources of energy and fuel-efficient cooking technologies to help reduce reliance on illegal and unsustainably produced charcoal especially in the urban areas.”
The programme will also provide access to technical assistance, mentorship, and possibly grant support for selected enterprises. The intended target groups for the programme include early-stage enterprises working on the supply of alternative sources of cooking energy and fuel-efficient cooking technologies.
The Accelerator will contribute to MCHF project objective 1 whose aim is to: “promote adoption of alternative cooking energy sources and fuel-efficient cooking technologies to reduce unsustainable wood fuel cooking demand, and most importantly urban demand for illegal and unsustainable charcoal”. Read more in depth about objective 1 on promoting alternative cooking fuels and more energy efficient technologies.
Successful applicants will participate in a 6-month long knowledge and skills building programme designed to link them to sources of financial, technical and other support with which they can expand their businesses.
The MCHF project is co-funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). For more information visit: www.mchfaccelerator.com
Images: credit MCHF, press launch (journalists, above; Ramzy Kanaan, Chief of Party, below)