Story From The Field: Tying the Meaning with Pictures
A year after its launch, the ACCESS (Accelerating Clean Energy Access to Reduce Inequalities) Project is currently working on the preparatory stage for capacity building for PV mini-grid managers in the receiving villages. This capacity development is provided for plant operators and maintenance personnel and the management of the Village Electricity Management Unit.
The Village Electricity Management Unit, or UPLD, is one of the innovations of the ACCESS project to ensure the sustainability of benefits from the assistance provided. Through UPLD, residents manage the donated power plant assets, including operating, maintaining; and developing businesses to support PV mini-grid funding.
The biggest challenge faced is the knowledge and experience of residents in managing solar power plants. Even though they have partnered with experienced partners in community assistance and power plant management, training and preparing communities is still a big challenge.
"Initially, we set a minimum high school education for prospective PLTS operators. However, the mapping results show few high school graduates available," said Imas Agustina, Technical Officer for Local Capacity Development for ACCESS UNDP. "Finally, we had to adjust the modules and training approach for the operator candidates. Adjusting to the level of education and existing knowledge."
The same challenge faced by M. Febriman Sitepu, Technical Officer of Local Institutional Development ACCESS UNDP, how to help the management of the Village Electricity Management Unit to develop a business model and adequate organisational and financial infrastructure. "In the village, it is difficult to find residents with adequate knowledge of business management, including finance, so it is necessary to find a way to convey material easily."
These difficulties are the challenge Shavira Novi Safitri is trying to answer when compiling learning materials for mentoring village-owned enterprises for village facilitators or PEAP. Of the various existing models, he chose to use the Business Model Canvas. This model helps provide a brief business model overview and does not have unnecessary details compared to traditional business plans. The visual nature of the Business Model Canvas makes it easier for anyone to reference and understand.
"Through this model, we invite participants to easily see their business advantages, opportunities, threats, and challenges," Savira said. "In addition, we can define the market, product advantages, and promotion methods, for example, in one frame."
This approach is expected to be effective in helping BUMDES, and UPLD administrators identify their businesses better so they can develop an appropriate work plan. Many findings indicate that the absence of a good work plan is one of the causes of the failure of BUMDES.
Visual media also provide the adult learner insight into older persons' ordinary and extraordinary experiences. Learners can encounter the challenges of physical ageing, view the impact of poverty, or discover unique cultural adaptations to end-of-life issues, as mentioned by Dennis R Myers, PhD from Baylor University.
Author: Salman Nursiwan, Monitoring and Outreach ACCESS Project