The role of sense of ownership in rural community mini-grid management: qualitative case study from Tanzania
Abstract Background The majority of mini-grids in Tanzania are managed by private entities, faith-based institutions, and the government. In contrast, a limited number of mini-grids under community management strive to survive. Although the concept of “sense of ownership” is considered crucial for m...
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| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Energy, Sustainability and Society |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-024-00496-7 |
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| author | Irene F. Ngoti |
| author_facet | Irene F. Ngoti |
| author_sort | Irene F. Ngoti |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The majority of mini-grids in Tanzania are managed by private entities, faith-based institutions, and the government. In contrast, a limited number of mini-grids under community management strive to survive. Although the concept of “sense of ownership” is considered crucial for mini-grid sustainability in developing countries, there is limited theoretical exploration of the factors that drive this concept and its effects on community mini-grid management. This paper assesses the relationship between the sense of ownership among electricity users and the effective management of two solar community-based mini-grids with different sustainability experience. Results A sense of ownership plays a role in establishing the decision-making process of mini-grids among village energy committee members toward sustainable or unsustainable management. The mechanisms behind the sense of ownership among community members toward managing mini-grids are largely expedited by the strong leadership of village energy committee members, community participation in decision-making and resource mobilisation, especially in the preparation, design and implementation phases of mini-grids. Conclusions A sense of ownership is found to influence the effective management of community mini-grids in Tanzania. When designing mini-grid project policies and programs that target respective communities as prospective owners, energy practitioners and policy-makers should consider creating an environment that nurtures a sense of ownership. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-efde6c272ef74b0390e109bb16e6956e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2192-0567 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energy, Sustainability and Society |
| spelling | doaj-art-efde6c272ef74b0390e109bb16e6956e2024-12-08T12:39:15ZengBMCEnergy, Sustainability and Society2192-05672024-12-0114111610.1186/s13705-024-00496-7The role of sense of ownership in rural community mini-grid management: qualitative case study from TanzaniaIrene F. Ngoti0Faculty of Sustainability, Leuphana University of LüneburgAbstract Background The majority of mini-grids in Tanzania are managed by private entities, faith-based institutions, and the government. In contrast, a limited number of mini-grids under community management strive to survive. Although the concept of “sense of ownership” is considered crucial for mini-grid sustainability in developing countries, there is limited theoretical exploration of the factors that drive this concept and its effects on community mini-grid management. This paper assesses the relationship between the sense of ownership among electricity users and the effective management of two solar community-based mini-grids with different sustainability experience. Results A sense of ownership plays a role in establishing the decision-making process of mini-grids among village energy committee members toward sustainable or unsustainable management. The mechanisms behind the sense of ownership among community members toward managing mini-grids are largely expedited by the strong leadership of village energy committee members, community participation in decision-making and resource mobilisation, especially in the preparation, design and implementation phases of mini-grids. Conclusions A sense of ownership is found to influence the effective management of community mini-grids in Tanzania. When designing mini-grid project policies and programs that target respective communities as prospective owners, energy practitioners and policy-makers should consider creating an environment that nurtures a sense of ownership.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-024-00496-7Community mini-gridsCommunity participationCommunity managementSustainabilitySolarOwnership |
| spellingShingle | Irene F. Ngoti The role of sense of ownership in rural community mini-grid management: qualitative case study from Tanzania Energy, Sustainability and Society Community mini-grids Community participation Community management Sustainability Solar Ownership |
| title | The role of sense of ownership in rural community mini-grid management: qualitative case study from Tanzania |
| title_full | The role of sense of ownership in rural community mini-grid management: qualitative case study from Tanzania |
| title_fullStr | The role of sense of ownership in rural community mini-grid management: qualitative case study from Tanzania |
| title_full_unstemmed | The role of sense of ownership in rural community mini-grid management: qualitative case study from Tanzania |
| title_short | The role of sense of ownership in rural community mini-grid management: qualitative case study from Tanzania |
| title_sort | role of sense of ownership in rural community mini grid management qualitative case study from tanzania |
| topic | Community mini-grids Community participation Community management Sustainability Solar Ownership |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-024-00496-7 |
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