In keeping with our tradition and commitment to disseminating information on best practices and state-of-the-art approaches to energy sector reform, rural energy service delivery models, integration of energy services with other services such as water, agriculture, health, infrastructure, and trade, and poverty alleviation, we are pleased to release the third quarterly issue of “Energy and Development”. The previous two issues focused on our work in the South Asia and the Southern African countries. This issue takes the challenge of rural energy services delivery further.

We have selected five topical papers on issue that have a wide appeal throughout the world, especially in countries where governments and society are embarking upon the formidable development challenge and the role of energy in causing the needed development. The first paper “Integrating Income Generation and Rural Energy Access in Nepal The Experience of Himalayan Light Foundation” is a case study of a project being implemented by the Himalayan Light Foundation, an NGO. The paper discusses the design of the project and the role of don ors, governments, private parties and consumers in the context of integrating energy supply with economic activities that result in income generation. Experience confirms that it is only through increased income generation that one can increase the affordability of the rural consumer to pay for energy services. The second paper “An approach to Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation through Private participation illustrates how the tradition government-sponsored models for rural development have fallen short of achieving the development objectives. It emphasizes the importance of private sector participation and the approaches to encouraging such participation. It illustrates the roles of the various parties the government, the private sector, and the civil society . The paper attempts to integrate policies, finance, management, and consumer responsibility in a single blended package for effective and sustainable rural ener gy service delivery.

The third paper focuses on the critical role that the bilateral and multi-lateral financial institutions can play in jump- starting rural energy programs through initial seed funding and ef fective partnerships with private energy service providers. The paper illustrates the successful case of Sri Lanka where the World Bank and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) have played a critical role in a wide-scale application or solar and micro-hydro schemes through Sri Lanka's villages. The fourth paper “Opportunity for W omen in Renewable Energy Technology Utilization in Bangladesh A Case Study” emphasizes the role of women as users' of energy. It illustrates the role of modern energy in improving the quality of life for rural households in Bangladesh. The case study demonstrates how successful rural energy initiatives can be developed, designed, and implemented by women, a largely neglected segment of the society . It also demonstrates that incorporating women effectively in the rural energy sector can lead to sustainability of rural energy programs.

The fifth and final paper in this issue “Decentralization of Rural Planning and Implementation” focuses on a very key issue. Traditionally, planning for rural energy programs have been conducted at the central ministry level with little or no participation of rural leaders, consumers, village committees, and NGOs active in rural communities. Such an approach has been unsustainable and only sporadic impacts can be seen. It has not provided for a systematic approach to designing and implementing successful and lasting program. This paper emphasizes that the planning function should be as close to the rural communities as possible and that rural leaders, farmers' groups, etc. should have an active role in rural energy planning.

We hope that you will enjoy learning about these experience s and that these papers will spark innovative approaches to rural energy planning and poverty alleviation. We look forward to receiving your questions and comments as CORE International continues through two new multi-year worldwide ener gy programs funded by the U. S. Agency for International Development. With the international recognition of the role of participatory approaches to energy service delivery and improved energy sector governance, CORE's motto Development through International Partnerships has acquired a renewed significance in the field of international development. Please address any questions, comments, and insights to the attention of The Editor , Energy and Development at coreindia@vsnl.net, and let us know if your comments may be pri nted by us in future issues.

Lois A. Varrick