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Open Africa Power awarded “Just Transition Prize” by ASviS

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October 10, 2020

Every year the Permanent Secretary of the World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC network) and the Luino Municipality (Varese, Italy) promote the Earth Prize, an award bestowed to every individual and institution who distinguished themselves in activities related to environmental education. Alleanza Italiana per lo Sviluppo Sostenibile - ASviS, the Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development, has been participating at the Earth Prize since 2019 and this year it introduced a special “Just Transition” award as part of the Earth Prize, assigning it to Enel Foundation for its Open Africa Power program.

Open Africa Power started in 2018 in collaboration with Strathmore University in Nairobi and is currently at its third edition, aiming to empower a new generation of leaders to drive Africa’s energy transition. Held partly in Africa and partly in Italy, the first two editions engaged around 90 students from all over the continent, receiving also support from the Ministry of External Affairs of Italy. This year 60 students were selected out of the 750+ applications received, representing 14 African nations.

Open Africa Power aims to holistically train young professionals in Africa on energy transition pathways and tremendous opportunities thanks to the collaboration with outstanding academic institutions namely Politecnico di TorinoPolitecnico di MilanoBocconi UniversityFlorence School of Regulation and Venice International UniversityStrathmore University University of Nairobi (Kenya, 2018), University of Addis Abeba (Ethiopia, 2019) and the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) (South Africa, 2020). This year, the education venture inaugurated a special partnership with Nelson Mandela Foundation. Over the course of the three editions, the program has built an outstanding Alumni community, whose progress and giving back commitments are always source of great pride for Enel Foundation.

Fostering a just for all energy transition is the cornerstone of the program, as well as a crucial commitment for ASviS that recently created a ten-rules manual linked to the SDG 7 and 13 and established the “Just Transition” prize.

Carlo Papa, Director of Enel Foundation, commented “We are honored to accept this prize by ASVIS on behalf of each and every member of the OAP community. It will give us further strength and motivation to move towards the future we want powered by affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern electricity smartly distributed to All.”

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