More than 100 energy efficient houses are being built in rural areas of Roudaki, Faizobod, Hisor and Vahdat district with help of France’s organization GERES (Group for the Environment, Renewable Energy and Solidarity). 

GERES has reportedly been training rural communities in Tajikistan in the energy efficient lifestyle for already the eighth year.  

People living in the energy sufficient houses have reportedly begun to use less coal and tree felling for heating has decreased by half.  

Thus, resident of the village of Qosimobod, Abduqahhor Mirzoyev, who finished the construction of his energy efficient house in 2018, says that last winter he used only one ton of coal for heating his house, while earlier it had taken three times as much fuel.

GERES has been active in Tajikistan since 2011. The project aims to develop a sustainable process that will improve the living conditions and economic opportunities of around 1,000 vulnerable rural households, particularly those headed by women. To do so, GERES has chosen appropriate domestic energy solutions, primarily passive solar and thermal insulation techniques.  Reducing the need for fuel will reduce the pressure on biomass resources. In addition, the bioclimatic techniques will be used to reinforce the means of production, preservation and distribution of agricultural products.

GERES – Group for the Environment, Renewable Energy and Solidarity – is made up of a salaried team and some volunteers.  Its multi-disciplinary team, consisting of more than 200 professionals, is helping to improve living conditions and preserve natural resources.