Signify Foundation

As part of the Life Science and Health Combination track program by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kenya, Netherlands Enterprise Agency and Task Force Health Care (TFHC), we recently joined a trade mission in Kisumu.   We toured a healthcare facility that we illuminated in 2020, serving approximately 20,000 people from surrounding communities, to deepen our understanding of challenges and opportunities in Kenyan rural health facilities. Typically, these facilities face high energy costs, consuming a significant portion of their budgets on electricity. Through our projects, we aim to reduce these costs in collaboration with our partners. By retrofitting the facilities with energy-efficient LED lighting, and solar-powered floodlights, safety and security is heightened around the facilities, and energy costs can be reduced, so more budget can be spent on healthcare.   In this facility, critical areas were lit up and we are excited that phase 2 of this project is on the horizon. We will be lighting entire facilities to ensure brighter health, with insights and lessons learned from the first phase. Stay tuned! #Brighterhealth #Brightercommunities

"The cost of inaction is extremely high. The "left behind" today will be left even further behind tomorrow as the world continues to make strides in digital literacy and connectivity, intensifying the need for electricity" - Off-grid Solar Market Trends Report, 2024. While regions such as Asia have made significant strides in meeting the objective of universal access to energy by 2030, others have fallen behind. Advances have been made in urban areas, and stable regions, leaving other areas at risk of being left behind. With five years to go, access to off-grid solar (OGS) energy solutions, including solar lighting, represent a targeted intervention for such regions. Unlocking the potential of OGS as a bridge for universal access requires private-public cooperation and unity - companies, investors, governments and development partners all have a role to play. Electricity access is key in enabling quality education, health, and living. It is crucial for the operation of critical social infrastructure such as schools and hospitals. When electricity is not available, it disproportionately impacts women and girls who typically take on unpaid domestic tasks such as fuel collection. Some key insights from the Off-grid Solar Market Trends Report: 💡A study in Kenya found that electricity access can free up approx. 72 hours per month for women and girls to spend on education or leisure  💡OGS powered street lighting creates safer communities 💡In Africa and Asia, electrifying schools could help reduce the estimated USD 5 billion annual cost associated with illiteracy by increasing school enrollment and completion Read the full Off-grid Solar Market Trends report here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dX-zDJzB

"A suitable educational environment equipped with effective lighting is the foundation for building a conscious and educated generation" - Eng. Amal Mabadda, MEK Foundation Through a collaboration with Misr El Kheir Foundation MEK and Signify Egypt, we will deliver over 14,000 energy-efficient LEDs to over 720 schools across Egypt - lighting the educational environment of over 117,000 students. The project aims to improve educational and living conditions, promote environmental awareness, and boost energy efficiency as part of an ongoing program to improve safety and access to modern technology in schools. To ensure the projects' sustainability and success, technicians will also be trained to maintain the lights for long-term #Brighterlearning! #BrighterCommunities

Looking for a motivated intern to join our Signify Foundation team in Amsterdam! As an independent not-for-profit organization, we empower underserved communities by enabling access to sustainable, quality lighting - Will you be a part of our mission? Our new team member will be supporting ongoing and new projects and programs, collaborating with a passionate team and partners dedicated to lighting lives around the world. If you are a registered student and a team player eager to make an impact through access to energy and light, we'd love to hear from you! Check out the vacancy link to apply 👉 https://lnkd.in/eiFrDNiP

Health facilities serving off-grid communities in Uganda typically place indoor lights powered by small solar PV systems in critical care sections. Often, these facilities lack adequate outdoor lighting for the safety and security of both personnel and patients. Facilities powered by small solar PV systems rely on light bulbs with low wattage to preserve energy and prioritise medical equipment, leaving pockets of darkness in their compounds. Switching conventional light bulbs to LED, affords healthcare centers energy and cost savings while giving better quality lighting for critical procedures, comfortable rest and recovery. The addition of stand-alone solar outdoor lights reduces strain on the small solar PV systems, allowing energy to be allocated to more healthcare equipment. A standard level-4 healthcare facility that would save approximately 2400 kWh of energy by switching to LEDs and stand-alone solar outdoor lights could power 8.35 vaccine refrigerators and 1.3 ICU beds for a whole year while reducing energy-related costs by 40%. Next week, we'll share a practical example of this within one of our projects - Stay tuned! #Brighterhealth #Brightercommunities

Gender-responsive humanitarian efforts are critical to ensuring the safety and security of women and girls in crisis settings.   In the refugee settlements of Aleppo, Hama, and Lattakia - regions deeply affected by the 2023 earthquake - communities face severe protection challenges. The absence of adequate lighting and long unsafe passages to essential facilities, heighten risks of harassment and fear during every day tasks such as accessing water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities.   Through the recently completed third phase in a partnership between United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Signify Foundation, flood lights now illuminate shelters, public spaces, and key community corridors around UNFPA-supported facilities. The lights create safer environments, restoring dignity to those most vulnerable, and enabling safe and free movement at night even during frequent power outages.   "We desperately require a tool like this for illumination at night. When we go out at night, we encounter numerous obstacles. Those solar lights will allow me, my children and my injured husband to walk at night with increased safety and security", Om Omar told UNFPA Syria from Hama

In the wake of the climate crisis, adverse weather and natural hazards are increasing in intensity, affecting communities around the globe. As new disasters strike more quickly than the time it takes to recover and rebuild, communities in need risk being forgotten.   The One Thousand Schools Foundation is an inspiring example of what we can achieve when we come together to support vulnerable communities. They are on a mission to build one thousand schools in Honduras, many of which will serve hurricane-impacted communities. Shin Fujiyama, the founder of One Thousand Schools, describes the current educational conditions of over 2,000 impacted communities that approached him for support:   "I visited schools and saw that too many children are studying under trees or in rotted classrooms or classrooms destroyed by hurricanes. I realized that they have big dreams but without a good education, everything will be more difficult for them."   This project and partnership was brought to our attention by our colleague at Signify, Olga Da Costa. To support the communities in Honduras in their efforts to rebuild, the Signify Foundation will be donating lights to all 1000 schools that will be constructed. By October, funds for the next 10 schools will be raised through the sponsorship of Shin's 3,000 km run from the US-Mexico border to Honduras. Find out more about how you can support his fundraising efforts at the One Thousand Schools fundraising website 👉 https://lnkd.in/eW2gaaQh

Last week, we celebrated a milestone in our collaboration with Fundación River Plate (FRP) as solar outdoor lights were switched on for the first time at Club Unión Ferroviaria de Villars' football fields in Argentina. FRP's programs foster personal growth and social integration for children and adolescents in vulnerable socioeconomic situations through education and sports. With these lights, club members can continue playing football long after the sun sets, strengthening bonds, wellbeing, and sense of community in a safe, well-lit environment. These first lights benefit three communities using the club's fields. With FRP, we have plans to expand the project in coming years to bring light - and play - to over 20 communities across Argentina. #Brighterlearning #Brightercommunities

As we approach World Charity Day on 5th September, I wanted to highlight an inspiring cause and ask for your kind support. Shin Fujiyama, the founder of One Thousand Schools in my home country Honduras, is on a mission to build schools for underprivileged children. Shin is currently undertaking an incredible challenge: running 3,000 kilometers from the USA-Mexico border to Honduras to raise funds for 10 new schools in impoverished communities. His goal is to build 1,000 schools in the country. What he does deeply touches my heart, not just because of my personal connection to Honduras, but also because of my belief in the power of human kindness. We all have the ability to support each other, regardless of our nationality, background, or race. By coming together and supporting this cause, we can make a tangible impact in the lives of these children and their families. To contribute, please donate directly via Shin’s fundraising website. In addition to our donation, Signify Foundation has committed to providing lighting for all the new schools, until the last one of the thousand schools is built. #BrighterCommunities Sergio Villalón Antuñano Diana Flores Vanessa Kosberg Yue Cui

We are thrilled to share the final video in our three-part series introducing our flagship program, Brighter Communities. In this video, the power of light in transforming education and as a beacon of hope for brighter futures shines through in Emilienne's story.   Over 230 million children globally attend schools without electricity. Research shows that with energy and lighting access, school attendance increases, educational outcomes are improved, and quality of learning rises. Additionally, increasing study and play hours beyond sundown can improve educational outcomes.   This project supports our partner, Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos™ (NPH), in empowering youth through #Brighterlearning. By replacing conventional lighting with energy-efficient LEDs in NPH schools and homes, bright welcoming spaces for learning and growth emerge. Increased energy-efficiency also decreases operating costs, allowing resources to be allocated more efficiently and for a larger portion of the funds to directly benefit children and their futures.   #Brightercommunities #Brighterlearning  Kirsten (Kiki) Henschel-Rolla Diana Flores Vanessa Kosberg