01/08/03

I. Introduction

Engineers Without Borders–USA (EWB-USA) is a non-profit organization established to help developing areas worldwide with their engineering needs, while involving and training a new kind of internationally responsible engineering student. EWB–USA projects involve the design and construction of water, wastewater, sanitation, energy, and shelter systems. These projects are initiated by, and completed with, contributions from the host community, which is trained to operate the systems without external assistance. In this way, EWB-USA ensures that its projects are appropriate and self-sustaining. The projects are conducted by groups of students under the supervision of professional engineers and university professors. By involving students in every step of the EWB–USA process, the program maximizes their learning and awareness of the social, economic, environmental, political, ethical, and cultural impacts of engineering projects. EWB-USA holds no affiliation with political, religious, or commercial institutions.

Examples of EWB-USA projects include:

• Small construction projects: design and construction of community health centers, schools, and shelter systems;
• Water and sanitation projects: provision of potable water, and wastewater management projects;
• Renewable energy projects: design and installation of photovoltaic water pumping systems.

These examples are by no means an exhaustive list of project possibilities. While the mission of EWB-USA is broad, there are certain domains that EWB-USA will not support:

• A project that benefits a single person or family;
• Employee salaries, operational costs, or rolling funds for daily functioning of the project;
• Projects with military implications or having solely commercial, religious, or political objectives;
• Purchase of vehicles, dynamite, detonators, medicines, or consumable goods not related to construction.

All applications are subject to review by an EWB-USA committee. Priority is given to projects that incorporate the following characteristics:

• The project responds to a need or real problem in the community;

• The project benefits a significant portion of community members;
• Commitment of individuals or groups from the community to maintain and assure the continuity of the project (such individuals may receive training from EWB-USA);
• The community contributes significantly to the execution of the project;
• The project represents the organization and effort of a collective, and not one single person;
• The project makes use of technology that is appropriate to the specific community context;
• The project goals are clear, clearly understood by project personnel, and realistically achievable.

Submit your application, along with supplementary information to:

Projects Coordinator

EWB-USA

1880 Industrial Circle, Ste B3

Longmont, Colorado

USA

EWB-USA will confirm receipt of all applications. An on-site assessment of the project may be undertaken before a final review is made regarding whether EWB-USA will undertake the project. Assessments and reviews are made on a continual basis throughout the year. (EWB-USA advises community representatives to retain copies of all application documents.)

II. Application Checklist

To expedite a response, EWB-USA requires applicants to furnish a complete set of application materials. Along with the completed application, please submit the following:

A. A letter of introduction presenting your community and summarizing the objective of your application, including any pertinent history to the proposed action.

B. A list of contact information of community project managers and community partners involved with the project; including names, titles, mailing addresses, telephone and fax numbers and email addresses where possible.

C. A general map (handwritten or printed) of the location of the project (e.g. directions to a remote village, or the placement of a neighborhood within a large city).

D. An overall project budget, including estimates of local market prices and specific material quantities, as well as the cost of shipping materials to the project site. This budget should also indicate any community contribution in the form of cash, skilled/unskilled labor, resources, materials, and hosting; as well as committed contributions from other partners/donors to the project.

E. If available/applicable, a preliminary technical study, (e.g. construction dimensions/designs, surveys, hydro-geological reports).

III. Application Form

Please complete the following questions. If there is insufficient information to respond to a particular question, simply leave the section blank. Expand the response spaces as necessary.

Your name: Date: May 20, 2004

Your title: Director

Address:

Telephone: Fax:

Email:

Web page www.malifolkecenter.org

Community Name: Didieni

District: Kolokani

Region: Koulikoro

Country: Mali, West Africa

1. Project Definition

1.1 Project title: Development of Malian Jatropha biofuel technology – the basis for a sustainable energy supply and economic growth in Mali & the Sahel

1.2 Briefly describe the need or problem that the proposed project will address:

The Mali-Folkecenter (MFC) has been working on promotion of the Jatropha plant for the last 5 years, and its potential to bring environmental and economic benefits to rural populations in Mali and the Sahel. Jatropha is a plant that grows abundantly in Mali, and which produces oil bearing nuts which can be pressed to produce a Pure Vegetable Oil biofuel which can be used instead of diesel in converted diesel engines for rural energy supply and transportation. Oil produced from Jatropha could potentially replace thousands of tones of imported fossil fuels to provide fuel for transportation, shaft power applications and electricity. However, the local production of the equipment needed to do this is very basic, and this is severely limiting potential growth of a new sector based on jatropha, which will link energy and agriculture to provide sustainable development solutions. The proposed project will seek to strengthen local production of jatropha oil production equipment (including development and improvement of pressing, sedimentation and filtration systems, and modifications which can be made to the engine for better running on jatropha oil), thereby removing a barrier to widespread adoption of decentralized jatropha oil production, and the associated economic and environmental benefits it will bring. This Renewable Energy technology, perhaps more than any other, has the potential for rapid and effective local production in Mali.

N.B. Please see the Annexes for more background information on jatropha.

1.3 Briefly describe how the idea for the project arose and the historical context of the problem/project:

Mali-Folkecenter (MFC) initiated activities to focus attention on jatropha since 1999 and carry out concrete actions to promote the plant (see Paragraph 1.5 for details). MFC has most recently been working with the village of Didieni in the frame of a project to reduce the burden on women and allow development of income generating activities through installation of a multi-functional platform running on jatropha, locally grown and produced biofuel. In order to provide fuel for the diesel engine at the heart of the platform, the population of the village has planted around 15 ha of jatropha.

This will act as a source of jatropha seed to supply the platform with fuel and to allow some soap making activities. This resource could be further exploited on a sustainable basis by producing more high quality oil for sale on the local market, which can be used for making the more profitable white soap (from pure sedimented oil) and also as an alternative to diesel in converted vehicle engines. If the technological barriers facing jatropha technology can be overcome (i.e. the need for cost effective and efficient, locally produced sedimentation, filtration and pressing equipment), jatropha could develop into an important crop for sustainable livelihoods in Didieni and many other Malian villages.

The proposed project continues MFC’s efforts to promote the jatropha plant. But it will be the first time that concentrated efforts will be focused on removal of these technical barriers that the technology faces today, and that the results could bring immediate and concrete benefits to a target group in a Malian village, to contribute to the local socio-economic development and environmental protection. The project will also try to see how fuel oil standards from the North could be applied to jatropha, and effect chemical analyses of the oil. That makes this project very innovative and concrete. The project target group and MFC have already cooperated successfully on a previous project, and the local municipality of the project area also supports the project.

1.4 Briefly describe the nature of the project, its goals and objectives:

The main objective of the project is to remove the technical barriers that are stopping jatropha biofuel technology from being adopted on a large scale in Mali and through the countries of the Sahel. In concrete terms this means the direct objectives are:

3 To develop appropriate engineering solutions for pressing oil, allowing commercial low cost press production in Mali (the press that is currently produced in Mali is produced one by one, and dimensions differ from press to press, the production is not standardized and there is no technical efficiency or performance data. This press was based on an existing press of Nepali origin. The quality of the pressing has a great impact on quality of oil produced, impurities, even chemical composition, and therefore on the profitability of the use of the oil);

3 To develop appropriate engineering solutions for sedimentation of oil, so that a simple, effective and cheap method to extract sedimented oil can be implemented in rural areas;

3 To develop appropriate locally feasible engineering solutions for filtration of oil, so that engine grade fuel can be produced in quantity by filtration in locally produced filter equipment.

3 To develop and test simple modifications to the Lister type engine such as preheating of fuel, fuel feed, etc, which can optimise performance of the engine on jatropha instead of diesel, and reduce air pollution.

3 To develop a mobile jatropha pressing multifunctional platform this could be used as a basis for demonstration of the technology all over Mali (and perhaps even beyond in neighbouring countries with similar conditions, resources and interest in Jatropha like Burkina Faso) This would give huge outreach to the project, allowing much greater impact in terms of awareness raising and promotion.

The indirect objectives, to be reached via achievement of the direct objectives, can be stated as follows:

7 To alleviate of poverty by providing income generating opportunities for rural women (cultivation of seed, collection of seed, soap making, multi-functional platform operation, sale of high quality oil, sediment & organic press cake fertiliser).

7 To contribute to the fight against desertification: increased knowledge about the actual benefits of jatropha plant in the villages, and increased use of jatropha in fields and as a living hedge to protect other plants from animals and soil from erosion.

6.7 To disseminate of information about jatropha potential and benefits of multi-functional platforms.

7 In the long term, to reduce imports of fossil fuel as jatropha oil is used to replace diesel

7 Creating awareness at the national level of jatropha technology and its potential benefits for rural Sahelian communities.

1.5 Have similar projects been implemented elsewhere?

In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, Mali experienced the first wave of interest in jatropha for its environmental and energy supply uses:

§ Different jatropha activities were carried out by various development organisations and the Government of Mali, especially GTZ.

§ From 1990 onwards, various development organisations promoted use of jatropha as a living hedge to improve yields, reduce wind and water erosion of soil, and improve soil quality.

Up to 1999, interest in jatropha had declined significantly, largely due to a lack of understanding of the cultural and socio-economic context in which jatropha activities could be carried out (i.e. land tenure issues in rural Mali). However, jatropha was still considered important by many rural people. A great deal of work had been done by many different actors, but information was very hard to find and was often experimental rather than based on real life village conditions.

Considering the huge potential that jatropha has, Mali-Folkecenter (MFC) initiated activities to focus attention on jatropha and carry out concrete actions to promote the plant by:

- with the SEAF (Sustainable Energy Advisory Facility) in 2001, funded by UNEP Center, Risoe, MFC started work to remove of operational barriers for the jatropha equipment already in place, as well as realisation of a prototype mechanical press in Mali that was previously imported Nepal and which was difficult and expensive for individuals to source from Mali. This was an important first step that demonstrated that the capacity exists in Mali for press production, but this production process needs to be developed so that presses of reliable quality can be bought in Mali, with reliable technical data allowing calculation of performance (which any small business person needs before investing in a relatively costly piece of hardware);

- With support of Danish Folkecenter and the technical assistance of the company Elsbett GmbH (Germany), MFC converted the first diesel car in Mali to run on pure jatropha oil. This received significant media interest and was very effective in raising the profile of jatropha among decision makers and the population of Mali;

- With the financial support of the Siemenpuu Fondation (Finland), recently, MFC has worked in Mali on the valorisation of jatropha plant and initiated a national jatropha network for lobbying for this plant in the country. As result a national jatropha programme was initiated. This project won the second prize of the German UNIFEM in 2003. Three villages were powered with jatropha multi-purpose platforms for agricultural processing (grinding millet and flour) and battery charging.

1.6 Beneficiaries

1. What community groups in particular will benefit from the proposed action?

Mali is generally classed as a highly indebted poor country, coming 164^th out of 167 countries in the UN’s Human Development Index. There is a great need for development projects that can create and support sustainable livelihoods for its people.

Tableau 1. GDP per capita au Mali

	1990	1995	2000	2001	2002
Gross Domestic Product per capita (EUR)	126	201	261	282	315

Fossil fuel imports represent just 8% of the national energy balance (taking into account wood and charcoal use), but this has a huge effect on a weak economy: imports cost Mali more than 100 million USD in 2000. Paradoxically, Mali is rich in indigenous renewable energy resources, particularly biomass, hence this proposed project.

Initially, the main beneficiaries will be the population of the village of Didieni, but the effects of the barrier removal will rapidly be felt in other villages where MFC works. The population of Didieni is generally made up of subsistence farmers who grow millet, sorghum, maize, and some cotton as a cash crop (plus some jatropha already).

In addition, Jatropha press cake is a valuable organic fertilizer and can be sold as such. To compare fertilisation values for jatropha press cake and cow dung, see following table:

Parameters (%)	Jatropha press cake	Cow dung	Relation : Jatropha press cake/ cow dung
N	5.7 – 6.48	2	280-320%
P2O5	2.6 – 3.1	1.5	170-200%
K2O	0.9 – 1.0	2	43-45%
CaO	0.6 – 0.7	4	15-16%
MgO	1.26 – 1.34	1	126-134%

Source:Jatropha oil as fuel, GTZ Jatropha Energy Project, October 1995.

In principle this can be extended to the thousands of villages in Mali possessing a “Moulin” or mill and stationary diesel engine used for basic agricultural processing, which can be converted to run on jatropha oil with the addition of a jatropha press and sedimentation system.

2. How many people (approximately) will benefit directly from the project?

The direct beneficiaries will be the population of Didieni, which has a population of 4038 according to the UNICEF funded “Cartgraphie du Mali”, elaborated for Mali’s decentralization program by the Presidency of Mali. The majority of families in the village has participated in previous MFC jatropha work, or has planted jatropha fields. Many others benefit from the use of the jatropha fueled multi-functional platform, which cuts down the heavy workload of women, and can also benefit from sale of oil, seed, press cake, sediment, soap making activities etc.

It is expected that the availability of affordable and reliable locally produced jatropha technology will allow an increase in jatropha activities in the all the villages with jatropha platforms in Mali, as in effect it will allow sale of a new product (high quality engine grade jatropha oil, either for use in engines or for making higher quality soap, or for sale to Mali’s emerging soap industry) at a higher price, with more locally added value and more benefit for local people. There are currently 8 jatropha platforms installed, and this will reach an estimated 10 000 people.

Map of the target zone, the commune of Didieni in relation to Bamako and the village of Didieni in relation to the surrounding commune.

In addition to the rural populations, there are the workshops that will be able to produce jatropha pressing, sedimentation and filtration equipment after the project, as this will be new sources of revenue for them.

3. How many people (approximately) will benefit indirectly from the project?

This will also affect surrounding villages which are currently able to sell their jatropha to the platforms. This is estimated at 14 000 people. In the longer term, the potential number of indirect beneficiaries will be significant. There are currently many thousands of rural engines for grinding flour, which could be converted to run on jatropha with addition of presses, which would then allow sedimentation and filtration of jatropha oil. There are around 450 multi-functional platforms funded by UNDP running on diesel which could potentially be converted to jatropha as well.

2. Context of Community Involvement and Impact

2.1 EWB-USA-Community Connection

1. How did your community/organization learn of EWB-USA?

MFC was put in touch with EWB USA via Wes Wilson at the Environmental Protection Agency and Roger Hoogerheide, also at the EPA but member of the EWB Technical Advisory Committee. MFC had presented its work with rural communities in Mali during an EPA mission to Bamako, and the contact with EWB USA was established on the basis that the two organizations might be able to cooperate, having similar goals for finding sustainable technical solutions to development problems.

2. If a separate organization (NGO, Interest group) is involved in the proposed project, describe the organization’s mission, history, and present involvement with the community. If available, attach supporting documentation from the organization.

N/A

2.2 Context of Local Leadership

1. What local leaders and/or governing bodies are involved with the project?

MFC has worked previously in the village, and a Jatropha Committee has been established (since 2 years) to coordinate jatropha promotion actions.

The municipality will also be involved in the project, as all development activities, according to Mali’s decentralization program, should be under the umbrella of the local government. MFC has signed a protocol for cooperation with the municipal authorities of Didieni and with the village itself. MFC has 5 years experience cooperating with local authorities on natural resource management and renewable energy development projects.

2. Has the project been approved by these individuals/groups? (If so, describe the process of approval)

The project idea has been discussed with the village at meetings, and the village as a whole is highly motivated to develop further jatropha activities for protection of the local environment and to stimulate local economic growth. MFC has been working for 2 years in this village. The local municipality has also expressed its support for the project. MFC has been in a process of development of activities in Diedieni for 2 years, and this project will be a natural continuation.

2.3 What project outcome is expected by the beneficiary community? Separately, identify expected engineering outcomes and anticipated socio-economic health benefits.

Project outcomes correspond directly to objectives stated above. (They have been stated as the positive new situation that the project seeks to create – ie these situations do not yet exist!).

3 Jatropha press: Engineering outcome 1. The locally produced jatropha press is now of high quality, produced to constant standards, with documentation for use and technical standards on performance under different conditions. The press is produced by a local enterprise, as part of their business, and is affordable to local community groups or individuals interested to work with jatropha.

3 Jatropha sedimentation system: Engineering outcome 2. A robust, cost effective and simple sedimentation system is available from local workshops which can effectively separate coarse particulate matter from the pure jatropha oil. Capacities and retention times are defined. Documentation based on measurements is available. The system can be used directly in rural areas. The workshops can make a profit on production of sedimentation systems.

3 Jatropha filter: Engineering outcome 3. A cost effective filtration system is produced by local workshops as part of their business. The system is cost effective, simple and robust, using a minimum of imported parts. Documentation is produced on capacity and filtration performance.

3 Lister engine: Engineering outcome 4. Development and testing of simple modifications to the engine such as preheating of fuel, fuel feed, etc, which can optimise performance of the engine on jatropha instead of diesel, and reduce pollution.

3 Mobile demonstration platform: Engineering outcome 5. A mobile jatropha multifunctional platform is available to make awareness raising missions right out into the rural areas where the technology can have the maximum impact on the quality of life of potential users.

ESTIMATED BUDGETS:

3 Jatropha press development: Engineering outcome 1.

Transport & materials, with workshop time

6 700 USD

3 Jatropha sedimentation system development: Engineering outcome 2.

Transport & materials, with workshop time

2 000 USD

3 Jatropha filter development: Engineering outcome 3.

Transport & materials, with workshop time

4 800 USD

3 Lister engine modifications: Engineering outcome 4.

Materials, with workshop time

1 500 USD

3 Construction of mobile demonstration platform: Engineering outcome 5.

Materials, & construction with workshop time

3 900 USD

TOTAL 18 900 USD

The indirect outcomes, to be reached via achievement of the direct outcomes, can be stated as follows:

7 Reduced poverty of rural women, due to their participation in income generating activities made possible by jatropha technology (cultivation of seed, collection of seed, soap making, multi-functional platform operation, and sale of high quality oil, sediment & organic press cake fertiliser).

7 Strengthened context to combat desertification: increased knowledge about the actual benefits of jatropha plant in the villages, and increased use of jatropha in planted in fields and as a living hedge to protect plants from animals and soil from erosion

6.7 Increased national awareness about jatropha potential and benefits of multi-task platforms

7 Reduction of imports of fossil fuel as jatropha oil is used to replace diesel (in the long term)

7 Raised awareness of jatropha technology and its potential benefits in rural areas at national level

2.4 What local resources (local expertise, labor, funding, organizational support, etc.) are available for realization of the project? Please categorize and itemize, providing as much detail as possible.

The village of Didieni can mobilize:

§ Local knowledge of the socio-cultural & economic context

§ Labor for assistance of the project, planting fields or hedges of jatropha etc.

§ Local raw material if needed

§ Village Jatropha Committee will be available to coordinate all actions in and around the village

§ Village association, women’s association and youth association which can be mobilized to play their respective roles in the project (village association or “Ton Villageoise” will assist overall project coordination at village level, women’s association is responsible for multi-functional platform management and small enterprise activities for women, the youth association will contribute labor for planting activities etc).

MFC can mobilize:

§ Use of a 4x4 vehicle for project execution

§ Malian specialist staff in natural resource management, rural energy issues, socio-economics, engineering etc.

§ Office for coordination from Bamako

2.5 Project Operation and Maintenance

1. Who will oversee, administer, operate, and maintain the project once the project is complete and the EWB-USA team is no longer present in the community?

The project at the village level will be coordinated by the village jatropha committee (7 persons responsible for promotion of jatropha in the area) and the village association, which has experience of executing rural development projects in the village. MFC will continue promotion work on jatropha work to transfer the benefits and experience of the project to as many other villages as possible. MFC already works with 2 other villages where similar actions could be carried out.

2. Will project oversight and administration fit within an existing community structure?

If so, describe the structure and how it will finance and maintain the proposed project:

The village will contribute with labor and local raw materials. However, the project itself will create and develop income generating activities, which will provide the necessary funds to keep the project running and allow the population to increase their income levels and increase the standards of living. All project activities will be on an environmentally but also financial sustainable basis, as are all MFC’s projects as far as possible.

The commercial production of improved presses and new sedimentation and filtration systems will also be on a business basis i.e. it will be a self sustaining activity not requiring external funding.

3. If a new organization (e.g., water board, technical guild) is to be established, how will it be organized, trained, and financed?

N. /A. (The Jatropha Committee has been in existence for 2 years.)

4. Who (if any) would be excluded by this project, be marginalized, or lose their current societal function?

The project has been designed for full participation, and no-one in the village should be excluded from growing, harvesting, selling, pressing, sedimenting or filtering oil. Jatropha activities are additional to current agricultural activities, and do not require use of agricultural land as disused or abandoned land is suitable for cultivation, so there should be no land tenure issues in the project. No jobs in the village will be at risk, but new opportunities will be available to add value in-village to agricultural products and improve livelihoods.

2.6 Identify any additional organizations/donors (past/present) apart, that support the beneficiary community and describe their activities:

In Didieni there is another NGO called Sahel 21 which has an integrated approach, ADAF Gallé which works on promotion of bio-insecticide, and ADERA which works with environmental management. In the past, jatropha activities have found a synergy with the activities of these other NGOs, and this situation is expected to continue.

2.7 Of the organizations identified in 2.6, which, if any, would assist EWB-USA planning and implementation of the proposed project?

The project will be in touch with these organizations, but concrete actions will be carried out independently.

2.8 National Context

1. What local, regional, national, or international policies/programs should be taken into consideration during project planning and implementation?

Mali was one of the first signatories to the International Convention to Combat Desertification. Two thirds of the country is covered by desert, and the desert advances by some kilometres every year. Considering that the population of Mali is increasing (among the highest population growths in the world), it is capital for the Malian government to protect the rest of the land for farming or pastoral activities. Combating desertification is a priority for the Malian government. Most of the major national programs and donor assistance give also give priority to combating desertification. Therefore the National Action Plan (elaborated by STP - Secretariat Technique Permanente which implements the Malian part of the International Convention to Combat Desertification) for the 10 years to 2008 puts the same emphasis on combating desertification through sustainable management of natural resources.

It will also be important to work in cooperation with the local authorities, as the locally elected government (“Maries”), according to Mali’s decentralization policy, is responsible for all development activities in their communes. A good relationship with the Mairie is important if the project is to have long term success, and if the experience should be replicated in other communes, the municipal staff may be able to help in that.

b. What, if any, security and/or safety issues should be considered by EWB-USA members traveling in the country?

Mali is a developing country and care should be taken. Trips in country will be undertaken with local partners who know the area and the people, so this should pose no problems. State Department recommendations for travel in country will be followed.

2.9 What, if any, potential for local/national/international opposition to the project exists?

MFC has no reason to believe there could be any opposition to the project. The project fits well to national policies including decentralization.

3. Project Design

3.1 Based on the project objectives, define the preliminary technical approach for the project (if known) and in what way this approach is appropriate to the context of the community and environment:

The preliminary technical approach will be to methodically examine the state of technologies available for pressing, sedimenting and filtration of jatropha oil, quantify performance, and then identify weak points which can be improved in cooperation with engineers from EWB USA. The local population of Didieni will also be consulted extensively to get feedback on possible problems with the technology, and for testing of various options. Small enterprises who could potentially be producers of the technology will be identified, their resources and competences quantified, and they will be implicated in formal discussions to start to define possible solutions. Considering the level of education of the population, emphasis will be placed on finding solutions that are simple to understand and operate, which require only practical training rather than theoretical techniques. Suitable enterprises qualified to produce the pressing, sedimentation and filtration systems will then be trained to produce the equipment with quality standards and testing, to allow production of a uniformly high quality of product. This will lead to small scale commercial production.

3.2 Are local supplies, manufacturers, labor (skilled and unskilled), or materials (e.g. sand, gravel, bricks, dimensional lumber, PVC pipe) available in the community or at a nearby regional capital? If yes, please list the materials and their location. If unavailable, what arrangement will be made for supplying inputs/parts for construction and maintenance?

Various specifications of iron and steel suitable for mechanical construction can generally be sourced in Bamako (the “zone industrielle”, “marché du Dibida”, etc., but it is possible that some highly technical elements (bearings or drive chains etc) may have to be sourced from outside the country. Wherever possible local, appropriate solutions will be found to reduce import requirements and maximize added value in Mali. There are many small metal workshops in Bamako which can be contacted for press and filter production, and smaller workshops in rural areas may be able to construct the simpler sedimentation systems. The idea of the project is to build up capacity in Mali for production, repairs and maintenance necessary to service the equipment produced over its lifetime. Here the contribution of EWB USA will be important to provide training and professional engineering standards to remove these barriers to wide scale adoption of jatropha technology.

3.3 Describe any opportunities to increase the educational component and value of cultural and technological exchange between the host country and EWB-USA through the involvement of local and regional university engineering students in the project implementation:

It is proposed to involve 2-3 final year engineering masters students from l’ENI (National Engineers School) in the project, who can participate and use the project as basis for their final year theses. MFC has previous experience of this approach, indeed one of MFC key staff members was initially identified in this way, working on a domestic biogas project.

3.4 Based on community activity schedules, climatic conditions, and traditional holidays, what is the best time(s) of year to implement the project?

The best time is November, December, January, or February, due to this being the middle of the dry season. Temperatures are most comfortable at this time, and it is the best period for visitors from the North. April & May should be avoided due to high temperatures (up to 45°C). June through to September is the rainy season and people in the villages will be completely occupied with agriculture during this period.

3.5 What is the estimated period of time necessary to implement the project?

The suggested project length is 18 months. However, EWB USA participation will be for shorter visits of 1-2 weeks throughout the project life to provide timely and specific engineering input needed to move the project through the various phases described above..

3.6 What is the estimated effective lifespan of the project?

When the technology transfer has been successfully implemented, in principle the equipment should be produced on a constant basis. However, companies may need to update or improve their technology in the future to keep up with other market developments. Jatropha has a huge potential for Mali and other Sahelian countries, and there is a feeling among many actors (in particular MFC) that Mali is nearing critical mass for a real large scale adoption of the technology with its inherent benefits.

3.7 How will operations and maintenance costs be met?

The jatropha activities in the villages will be profit making, so no external finance will be required once the mechanisms are put in place.

5. Financial Considerations

5.1 What is the estimated overall project budget in USD?

USD 45 274 (see attached detailed budget in Excel)

5.2 Community-Based Funding

a. List any community-raised monetary contributions, financing from local lending institutions, partner donor investment, and community in-kind contributions (labor, materials, transportation, hosting, etc.) included in the budget.

Labor and hosting by the village of Didieni, use of vehicle by MFC.

b. List and identify any organizations involved in community-raised funds.

MFC

6. Project Coordination and Logistics

6.1 Define the roles, responsibilities and accountability between the community, EWB, and any other partner groups/organizations; if available, include supplementary documentation for partner organizations:

EWB USA will be responsible for providing specific technical input to the technology development process, including professional standards, and experience from the US. MFC will be responsible for project coordination on the ground in Mali, and for fostering participation in the project by the village population. MFC will also provide status reports and financial reports to EWB USA explaining progress, difficulties encountered and proposed solutions. At the municipal level, the locally elected government will be responsible for informing project team of relevant environmental issues or legislation that could affect the project activities, and that the project fits into the overall development plan for the commune. At the village level, the Jatropha Committee will be responsible for execution and participation of the village members, taking an umbrella role over the village, women’s and youth associations.

6.2 Describe the need for translators between EWB-USA team members and the beneficiary community. What provisions are planned to meet this potential need?

Due to MFC’s qualified and experienced staff, no translators will be necessary as languages spoken include English, French, Bambara, Fula, Samo, & Kassonké.

6.3 How can the host community or partnering organization meet and/or assist the logistical needs of the EWB-USA team in the following ways?

a. Food – A cook must be hired in Bamako to provide food for the EWB USA team during trips to the village or the bush.

b. Lodging

The community of Didieni will provide food and lodging for MFC project team during its missions in the village. They can provide accommodation for EWB USA team during trips. For food see above. In Bamako, EWB USA should arrange accommodation in hotels.

c. Medical Infrastructure

Didieni is just 4 hours from Bamako (180km). Therefore in the case of a medical emergency, casualties can be evacuated to the “Clinique Pasteur” in Bamako, and then onwards to Paris, France and the rest of the world if necessary. There is only very limited medical care in Didieni (a Community Health Centre).

d. Local transportation

MFC is providing use of a Toyota 4x4 pick up for the project trips.

e. Tools

MFC has a selection of tools that can be used if needed. Other tools can be purchased in Bamako.

f. Materials

Generally available in Bamako.

g. Equipment

Generally available in Bamako.

6.4 List the names and contact information of local materials/technology suppliers:

There are quite a large number of local materials/technology suppliers who can be contacted for most needs. Highly specialized items may be hard to find, but Malian technicians and engineers are generally good at finding solutions using locally available materials.

6.5 Describe the best method of shipping materials/components within the country; in particular, describe the logistics of transporting project materials directly to the beneficiary community:

As the quantities of material to be transported are limited, it is expected that MFC’s 4x4 Toyota pickup will be sufficient, even for off road conditions.

7. Attestations

I certify that the information provided herein is accurate and reflects the best interests of the community I represent.

Name and title of community project manager: Director, MFC (Mali-Folkecenter).

Signature of community project manager:

Date: 10 December 2004

And/or

Name and title of community partner:

Signature of community partner:

Date:

Name and signature of EWB-USA contact, if any: