Our Vision

To enable the forcibly displaced and other marginalised groups to be the protagonists of their own stories and shape their own energy futures.

The Problem

 

In an increasingly interconnected and dynamic world, the importance of addressing the critical challenges in the humanitarian energy space is undeniable. Access to modern, reliable, and sustainable energy sources is not only a basic human need but also a fundamental enabler for delivering essential services, economic development, and the overall well-being of communities in crisis or underserved regions.

In response to this need and in early 2023, Outsight International launched the first dedicated humanitarian energy consultancy team spanning 17 members and 13 countries. At Outsight International we strive to be the go-to team to transform humanitarian energy systems and services towards climate neutrality and sustainability. Led by the voices of crisis-affected stakeholders, we enable change through academic, development and operational actors.

We work across the programmatic, strategic, and policy levels.

We primarily work with households, communities, and institutions to unlock entire energy ecosystems through cooking, cooling, lighting, heating, and transport systems and services.

We enable energy for all.

By directly connecting the conceptual and practical, the strategic and programmatic, the technical, social and everyday drivers of energy ecosystems, the Energy Team at Outsight International blends humanitarian and development approaches to provide bespoke energy ecosystem support to organisations and individuals around the globe.

 

Our Approach

Blending Research, Strategy and Practicality

We recognise the importance of identifying, positioning and placing the right people, in the right place, at the right time.

 

Outsight International builds teams based around the specific needs of a project. Much like a Hollywood movie builds its production teams to match the right talent with a particular production, Outsight compiles the right expertise to tackle the unique and complex challenge. Outsight has a proven track record of delivering projects, working with clients to complete our project deliverables through a blend of Associates, Advisors and Strategic Partners who are global leaders in their energy sub-sectors. We also look to utilise our network of strategic partnerships with leading Humanitarian & Development Energy actors to create the best value possible for our clients, for example:

  • Refugee Energy Experts embedded in Refugee & Internal Displacement Camps

  • Global Energy Expert Networks & Rosters

  • World Leading Research Funders, Think Tanks and Institutions

 

Our team has expertise across the humanitarian energy sector, including experience in specific energy sub-sectors (such as lighting, heating, cooking, and cooling) as well as specific approaches or methods (Human centred design, behavioural design, co-design, co-creation, participatory methods). We thrive when understanding complex or wicked problems transforming these problems into targeted solutions within the socio-cultural, environmental and financial energy ecosystems.

We look to work with grassroots organisations, larger institutions, and governments looking to both develop new and existing energy strategy, policy and programs

  • Recognising that Policy Reform and Institutional Strengthening is a key element of completing SDG7, our energy team supports organisations in developing clear, concise, evidence based strategy and policy for organisations, institutions and governments.

  • The Energy Sector across the Humanitarian and International Development space must transform itself to enable equitable, transparent and just partnerships to enable the completion of SDG7. This systems change, reconceptualisation and shift in our ecosystem must be supported by academically rigorous models of work that have practical feasibility.

    With significant experience in academia our energy team offers services in: Proposal Development (conceptualisation, writing & copyediting, funder identification), developing non-traditional collaborator partnerships, independent evaluations which comply with funder requirements, support in implementation of research project, recruitment of research staff, and coordination with global energy actors.

  • We supporting the conceptualisation, implementation and evaluation of energy ecosystems in the humanitarian and international development sectors. We champion themes of localisation, understanding complex socio-cultural barrier and enablers, embedding systems change, and supporting the development of local enabling environments.

    Understanding complex implementation environments is critical to the success of any energy program. Whether identifying research gaps or the feasibility of existing technologies our energy team provides a proven methodology to unpicking the complex and interwoven socio-cultral, financial and environmental factors that determine success or failure.

    Based on the peer reviewed Technology Implementation Model for Energy (TIME) we provide regional, country and local level landscape Reviews (around specific energy sub-sectors) using: Qualitative Interviews, large available Quantitative data sets, Geographical Analysis, Rapid and Systematic Literature Reviews, Design and Systems Thinking, Innovation Theory.

Please contact us if you wish to discuss our current or future service offerings.

The Team

Possessing 65+ years of experience in the humanitarian and development space, Outsight works with NGOs, businesses and universities across the globe to identify Associates and Advisors to provide pathways into the energy sector for our teams members as well as providing a number of personal and professional skills development opportunities.

Led by Dr. Ben Robinson, our Expert Energy Roster from across the globe cover all aspects of the humanitarian energy ecosystem.

 
 

Dr Ben Robinson


Energy Team Lead

Ben is an energy expert engaged with critical elements of the energy transition across Asia and Africa in the Humanitarian and wider International Development sectors. He champions innovative and disruptive socio-technological ecosystems to enable the forcibly displaced, and other marginalised communities, to be the protagonists of their own energy futures.

 

The Outsight Expert Energy Roster

Abdullah Fahimi
Supporting Energy Transitions in Global South

Franck Ekobo
Creating Positive & Sustainable Energy Change

Wafa Eahi
Ensuring access to Power is Empowering

Asna Towfig
Energy System and Policy Analysis

Nyayow Deng Chuol

Sustainable Energy in Displacement Settings

Yohannes Aemro
Shaping Inclusive Energy Systems

Maria Knodt
Data-Driven Energy Access & PUE Development

Bob Junker
Unlocking Potential through Clean Energy

Mike Arasa
Empowering Africa by use of Clean Energy

Sadiksha Neupane Sharma

Sustainable and Responsible Energy for All

Klaus Strasser
Driving Humanitarian Energy Forward

Fahad Haider
Engineering the Clean Energy Transition

Nicole Silvya Bouris
Sustainable Energy Innovator

Paddy Bakengana
Fighting Energy Poverty and Climate Change

Our Clients, Funders, Collaborators, & Networks

Our energy roster members have worked with organisations such as IOM, UNHCR, UNDP, UNITAR, NORCAP, NRC, MSF, WWF, ICRC, World Bank, giz, UK Aid, IKEA Foundation, SE Foundation, MasterCard Foundation, Clean Cooking Alliance, Bio-lite, Global Academic Institutions, Dalberg Advisors, Energy4Impact, Mercy Corps, Practical Action - the list goes on.

As the Outsight International Energy Team, our clients, funders, collaborate, and Networks are:

 

HEEN Network

 

Details on specific work packages can be shared on request.