A new chapter for Athena Girls Innovation Compound has been marked. We are thrilled to announce that we have been selected to participate in the Renewable Energy Business Incubator (REBI) program—an incredible opportunity that will allow us to deepen our impact in advancing clean energy solutions in Uganda, particularly in Northern Uganda.
This achievement is not only a proud moment for us as an organization but also a huge step forward in our mission to empower women and girls to take the lead in clean energy innovation and entrepreneurship.
What REBI Means for Athena
The Renewable Energy Business Incubator (REBI) is designed to mentor, coach, and support enterprises working to increase access to affordable and sustainable energy. For Athena, participation in this program opens the door to:
- Mentorship & Coaching: Guidance from experts in renewable energy and business development to refine our strategies and scale impact.
- Networking: Building relationships with other entrepreneurs and innovators in Uganda’s clean energy ecosystem.
- Knowledge Sharing: Learning from the experiences of others while sharing our own journey of empowering girls through clean energy innovation.
- Growth & Expansion: Strengthening our capacity to reach more communities in Northern Uganda with sustainable energy solutions.
Through REBI, Athena will be better equipped to transform ideas into scalable impact, ensuring that our initiatives not only reach households but also create lasting social and economic change.
Empowering Women & Girls Through Clean Energy
At the heart of Athena’s mission is the belief that women and girls are key players in the fight against climate change and energy poverty. Too often, they are excluded from opportunities in science, technology, and green jobs. Yet, they are the ones most affected by energy challenges—spending hours collecting firewood, being exposed to indoor air pollution, and facing barriers to education due to energy poverty.
By joining REBI, we are strengthening our ability to bridge this gender gap and ensure that women and girls are not just beneficiaries of clean energy but leaders and innovators in the sector.
Our ongoing projects—such as the Briquettes Innovation Project—already demonstrate how girls can engineer, produce, and distribute eco-friendly energy solutions. Now, with REBI’s support, we will have the tools and networks to scale these efforts and inspire even more young women to step into leadership roles within the clean energy economy.
Contributing to Global Goals
Athena’s work is strongly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and our participation in REBI further strengthens our contributions:
- SDG 1 – No Poverty: Creating economic opportunities for women and girls through entrepreneurship in clean energy.
- SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being: Reducing indoor air pollution and health risks by promoting clean cooking alternatives.
- SDG 5 – Gender Equality: Breaking barriers that exclude women and girls from science, technology, and renewable energy jobs.
- SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy: Expanding access to sustainable and affordable energy solutions in Uganda.
- SDG 13 – Climate Action: Reducing deforestation, cutting emissions, and promoting renewable energy to combat climate change.
By targeting these interconnected goals, we are creating not only cleaner environments but also fairer societies where no girl is left behind.
A Special Thanks to Our Leadership
This milestone would not have been possible without the vision, dedication, and tireless efforts of our CEO, Harriet Adong. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping Athena into a space where innovation, gender equality, and sustainability converge.
Her commitment ensures that our projects are not just about technology but also about transforming lives, protecting the environment, and building the next generation of female leaders in energy.
Looking Ahead: A Brighter Future for Northern Uganda
As we step into this new journey with REBI, Athena Girls Innovation Compound is excited to expand our reach and deepen our impact. Our goal is to:
- Empower more women and girls to take part in renewable energy innovation.
- Create pathways for economic empowerment through clean energy enterprises.
- Ensure that no community in Northern Uganda is left behind in the transition to sustainable energy.
We envision a future where every girl has the tools, knowledge, and confidence to be part of the clean energy revolution—not just as users but as leaders, engineers, and entrepreneurs.
Conclusion
Being selected for the Renewable Energy Business Incubator program is more than an achievement—it’s a call to action. It is proof that women- and girl-led organizations like Athena can and must play a central role in shaping a greener, fairer, and more inclusive energy future.
With every partnership, every innovation, and every girl we empower, we are one step closer to realizing a world where clean energy is accessible to all, and women are at the forefront of the solutions.
Athena Girls Innovation Compound is ready for this journey, and we look forward to walking it hand in hand with our communities, partners, and global allies.
