The PISCES project was a 5-year initiative funded by DfiD that kicked off in 2007 up to June 2012. PISCES was granted an 18 months extension in 2012 that came to an end in December 2013. The objective of the project has been to provide policy makers with new information and approaches which they can apply to unlock the potential of bio-energy to improve energy access and livelihoods in poor communities.
The project has been implemented through coordination of ACTS in partnership with University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) in Tanzania, the University of Edinburgh (UoE) in the UK, the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), in India, Practical Action UK as well as Practical Action East Africa and South East Asia and CSIR, Ghana. Through these main partners, linkages in bio-energy sector have been enhanced. Consequently, through these partners and the wider stakeholder, the research, capacity building and policy outreach objectives of ACTS have been demonstrated. The policy research has also been spearheaded by ACTS culminating into useful policy research documents in the bio-energy subsector. Useful academic and policy learning materials have been disseminated widely. With regards to policy outreach objective, ACTS facilitated the development of bio-energy policies in Kenya and Tanzania as well as spearheading policy processes for sustainable bio-fuels in Africa. This policy learning and sharing of experience and expertise has demonstrated that Africa has the potential to build and utilize locally built capacity for greater regional development. In addition to influencing policy, PISCES research publications have continued to shape bio-energy research. ACTS has also built internal capacity in the area of bio-energy. Consequently, ACTS researchers in partnership with East African universities have continued to supervise bio-energy academic research. In 2013, 2 PhD students successfully completed their studies. Several PhD students are continuing with their studies.
This project is attributed to establishment of strong linkages in the bio-energy sector. These include the main implementing partners in this project including DFID as the funder, as well as local, regional and international actors engaged in renewable energy issue.
