LocationsBehavioural Science and Social Innovation: How Can Community Voices Improve the Way We Do Development?
December 21, 2023
Rising sea-levels are a concern for many island communities
The UNDP Fiji Rural Electrification Fund (FREF) project aims to connect last mile communities of Fiji – the last 4% of the population that are not connected to the main energy grid. In the previous two blogs of this three-part series we discussed how the UNDP Accelerator Lab team used collective intelligence methodologies such as storytelling (Pacific talanoa-style), deliberation, and citizen generated data to learn how a remote island community- Vio, was impacted and adapting to the impacts of climate change. In this blog, we will shed light on how access to energy could increase resilience to climate change impacts and increase economic empowerment.
The island community of Vio island is the first FREF pilot site for the installation of solar panels. Through collective intelligence research, communities shared their experiences transitioning pre- and post- access to solar energy.
Community members of Vio Island gather for an afternoon session of singing and storytelling.
How has access to energy transformed community members’ daily lives?
- Access to lighting
One of the major benefits of having access to solar energy that community members noted was the difference in having access to light within their homes. Lighting meant parents were able to wake up earlier to prepare for the day ahead – including preparing their children’s breakfasts (which parents claimed was helping improve performance at school) and school lunches, as well as other chores such as ironing uniforms and laundry. Lighting also allowed the community to set up a study room, where students were able to complete their homework and study after school and into the early evenings.
As it is a fishing community, another significant advantage was that when fishers/ divers returned in the evenings after a long day out in the water they were now able to prepare dinner for their families and clean the day’s ‘catch’ with the availability of lighting.
Solar powered lights in a community member’s home.
- Access to refrigeration
Access to refrigeration was also a major benefit for the community – specifically as a fishing community. Refrigeration meant fishers and divers could store their catch, allowing them to take this to the markets on the main island to sell the next day instead of rushing to sell off all their catch on the same day. It also meant families were able to store food for longer, increasing food security—especially in the lead up to, during, and after a tropical cyclone.
Refrigeration also increased economic opportunities for some community members that were operating canteens as they were now able to sell an increased variety of goods including frozen goods and extend the life of perishable goods such as dairy products.
- Potential for increased business opportunities
Community members acknowledged the significant difference access to solar energy has had on their lives. For some community members, they saw access to solar energy as an enabler for increased business opportunities—with some community members running their own small canteens.
- Increased disposable income
Prior to the installation of the solar panels, community members were heavily reliant on diesel generators. This was very costly for community members, especially with the increasing prices of fuel. With the introduction of the solar energy, the reliance on diesel generators were reduced. Community members now have access to increased disposable income as they no longer have to spend as much on fuel – this meant extra disposable income. It also meant that the community was contributing less greenhouse gas emissions for decreased use of diesel generators.
Collective Intelligence in action
The application of collective intelligence methodologies included storytelling (or Talanoa in Fiji), ethnography, and citizen-generated data using digital surveys. Kobo Toolbox was the main software used to collect and analyze the data collected during the community field visit. Following this initial analysis, the data was also pulled into Power BI to create a dashboard for easier visual representation of the data interpretation. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was also utilized for further data analysis and comparison.
Insights gathered from the Collective Intelligence process revealed that the majority of community members would be willing to pay extra monthly fees for increased capacity of the current solar energy infrastructure. Many members believed this would allow them to tap into other sources of income and business opportunities. A barber shop, tailor business, and a small restaurant are some of the business aspirations that community members had which they believed would be possible with increased energy capacity.
Rising sea-levels are a concern for many island communities.
How collective intelligence can shape development activities
Collective intelligence focuses on data empowerment, rather than data extraction. Approaches utilized to source information from communities should ultimately create value for those who have shared their stories, insights, and experiences. Building on the learnings from the community research conducted in Vio island – the UNDP AccLab and FREF project team developed a digital survey to collect relevant community insights which could inform the design of the project for the next site – a remote island community in the North of Fiji.
The aim of the pre-assessment survey was to ensure the community was given the opportunity to share their insights and experiences and that their lived realities and future aspirations were factored into the design of the solar project in their community. This would allow the FREF project team to have a deeper understanding of the communities current and future energy needs (determine the size of the solar grid system needed), as well as what additional auxiliary services should be supported in the community to boost their economic empowerment and increase their resilience to climate change impacts.
Visual representation of data depicting the island community's main source of income.
Community storytelling, deliberations and results from the digital survey included as part of the Collective Intelligence process unearthed valuable insights including the type of electronic devices that were currently in use, the devices that communities wanted to use with access to solar energy, current sources of income and future livelihood aspirations.
The survey results revealed that the majority of the community earnings came from fishing, farming, and remittances. Other sources of income included selling handicrafts, operating canteens, and social welfare payments. Insights as such could help the project team gain better understanding of community needs and develop a suite of relevant support services such as means for refrigeration, drying machines (copra or kava), dry storage rooms for crops, water storage and desalination systems (fresh water for farming), or means for increased market access/ business development for fishers and farmers (such as e-commerce platforms, solar-powered boats, and financial literacy training).
Water storage ensures community has fresh water for consumption and cleaning.
To further ensure the project is specifically tailored to each community, the survey looked at current electronic device usage within the community, as well as projected use once the community had access to solar energy. This would further help to inform the project team of the most appropriate solar energy system needed – ensuring communities scan fully enjoy the benefit from access to energy while keeping the system to a size that can be financially managed by the community.
Visual representation of data depicting the type of electronic devices currently being used in the island community.
Apart from insights that directly inform the design of the project, collective intelligence research methodologies often tap into contiguous insights that can help development stakeholders identify suitable partners that may be able to address community needs outside of their own mandate – making space for new or innovative partnerships for a more consolidated approach between development organisations, rather than traditional siloed approaches. Collective intelligence methodologies that use digital tools also present an opportunity to contribute to closing the digital divide by introducing communities to the use and advantages of using digital technologies and developing basic digital skills.
In a nutshell – as development practitioners, it is crucial that we are constantly revisiting the methodologies of how we are engaging communities that are directly affected by development activities- to guarantee impact is positively transformational, and by actively acknowledging communities’ current realities and future aspirations. Local ownership must be a priority from the very outset to ensure development is truly sustainable.
Village headman is presented with traditional offering (kava) to seek permission for community to participate in collective intelligence research.
Acknowledgements:
Patrick Tuimalealiifano, Vineil Narayan and Vatimosi Delailovu of the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji. Gina Lucarelli, Bas Leurs, Alexandru Oprunenco and the Nesta team for their guidance and input.
Special acknowledgement to the participants of Vio and Kioa Island Community for sharing their invaluable time, expertise, and insights.
