Kopernik
is a nonprofit organisation connecting simple technology with last mile
communities to reduce poverty. We partner with local organisations to
give remote communities access to solar lights, water filters,
fuel-efficient cookstoves and other life-changing technologies.
Since
2010 we have reached more than 190,000 people in 19 countries with
simple innovations which save people time and money, improve health and
safety, ease pressure on the environment, and open up new economic
opportunities.
We are currently seeking new partners in the Asia-Pacific to help connect these technologies with the communities they serve.
What you need to know:
- Kopernik partners with non-government organisations, cooperatives, savings and loans groups and community organisations to connect simple technology with remote communities.
- Local partners choose what technology is most needed in their communities.
- Kopernik funds the upfront cost of sending this technology to the last mile, by crowdfunding and through corporate partnerships.
- Local partners introduce, market and sell the technology. We encourage partners to offer payment in instalments, to make the products affordable to the people who will benefit from them the most.
- Local partners can keep a portion of the technology sales revenue to cover their distribution costs, and repay the rest to Kopernik.
- Kopernik reinvests the repaid funds to send more technology to the last mile.
- Local partners report on the impact of the technology through photos and interviews with technology users, and Kopernik shares this feedback with the technology producers and donors.
Please note:
Kopernik does not provide grants or funds directly to local partners.
We
generally partner with organisations committed to introducing and
building a market for the technology in their community, however in
certain situations we allow technology to be distributed for free, for
example when working with schools and health clinics, or in emergency
situations.
Our
most successful partnerships are with organisations which take a social
enterprise approach, developing the sustainable supply and distribution
of technology.
To partner with us:
- Visit our “How It Works” page for more details about Kopernik’s approach.
- Look through our Local Partner FAQs.
- Look through our online technology catalogue to see what technology would be most useful in your community.
- Submit an expression of interest and a Kopernik staff member will contact you to discuss a full submission.
To be accepted as a local partner for this round, we will require you to submit a full project proposal by the 21st of July 2014.
Any questions can be directed to sarah.wilson@kopernik.info. Information can also be provided in Indonesian language if required.
