Dr D Veerendra Heggade, President of SKDRDP, received the awards and a cash prize of 40,000 pounds from Dr Kandeh Yumkella, Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation at a glittering function held at The Royal Geographical Society in London Wednesday night in the presence of the Foundation patron, The Prince of Wales.
Heggade said the project was started 29 years ago and receiving the Ashden Gold Award is a great step in recognising that poor people need financial services to acquire sustainable energy assets.
"This award will redefine the scope of microcredit." "Our effort is to convince people to save energy and go for alternative energy sources. The organisation is also supporting construction of toilets for rural people in Karnataka."
"Slowly we are tempted to go beyond the Karnataka borders as a model programme for others."
The SKDRDP promotes development through a network of 169,000 self-help-groups which now includes 1.8 million families, about 20 per cent of rural households in Karnataka.
The programme provides advice and information to help group members make long-term plans for their household needs and to save money.
It also provides loans for domestic and agricultural expenses, through one of the largest micro-credit programmes in India.
Sarah Butler-Sloss, founder Director of Ashden said: "In this uncertain world our winners offer a beacon of hope, showing that access to sustainable energy offers a clear route out of poverty for millions of people around the world. We're committed to sharing the lessons they have learnt so they can be replicated far and wide."
According to a press release, SKDRDP was selected for the green energy award because of the impressive role it had played in boosting microfinance organisations intended to meet the energy needs of the poor.
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