Mission

Our Mission is to promote programs and businesses that produce sustainable goods and services and help reduce reliance on fossil fuels. IRRI supports rural and low-income communities with the objective of improving the quality of life through generating, developing, and conserving local resources.  IRRI’s vision is sustainable and equitable prosperity in a world without contamination.

Fourth Annual!

Appropriate Technology for the Developing World

Tziscao, Chiapas, Mexico August 17-22, 2009

This workshop provides an overview of technologies which promote small scale renewable energy and resource management systems in the developing world. With an emphasis on the unique challenges presented by international project work, the workshop is ideal for people wanting to get involved in sustainable development work, organizations working in rural areas, and those who wish to reduce their own ecological impact.

Applying renewable energy and resource management technologies to the rural indigenous community of Tziscao, Chiapas, participants will explore the dynamic social, economic, and ecological relationships which inhabitants have with energy and resource procurement and allocation.

Participants will learn to identify realistic project objectives and how to use local resources and apply appropriate technology to meet those objectives. An emphasis will be placed on cultural sensitivity, maximizing community involvement to accomplish each objective in a way that complements local culture and infrastructure. Effective technology transfer methods will be presented, as well as case studies on rural household electrification, appropriate building technologies, and micro-enterprises utilizing appropriate technology.

This course will be taught in both English and Spanish.
Este curso será dictado en inglés y español.

Contact: info@irrimexico.org

Mexico Biogas Program

The IRRI-Mexico biogas Program is entering our third year of research, courses, and installation of biodigester systems in Mexico from large farms to small family systems. We want to thank all of the students, families, communities, and organizations that have supported the program and are helping us move forward.

You can participate in the Mexico Biogas Program by donating to the installation of a family biodigester through the Adopt-a-Biodigester program. Your donation will go towards the installation of a working waste treatment and renewable energy system in a family’s home in one of our host communities.

Would you like to sponsor a biogas course or project in your community? IRRI-Mexico is taking reservation for biodigester installation courses for the summer of 2008 in communities across Mexico. Please contact us to see if biodigesters could work where you live.

Contact Alex Eaton: alex@irrimexico.org