- Organisation profiles

BUN - Biomass Users Network

Donor profile

Origin of funds

International

Goals/aims

Biomass Users Network (BUN) helps to identify opportunities for improving rural economies in an environmentally sustainable manner through the innovative production and efficient use of biomass. It further aims at promoting a South-South co-operation by developing and strengthening national capacities to increase production and use of biomass resources as a means of advancing economic, social and ecological well-being, primarily in rural areas.

Main form of support

Typical budget size

Support type

Technical assistance, Social development,

Countries of operation

Depending on Regional Office: Central America, India, Zimbabwe and possibly other countries

Main target groups

NGOs, Education, Research, Government

General conditions

The NGO Biomass Users Network was created as an outgrowth of a 1985 meeting in Thailand on the environment and biomass resources. With initial funding from US private foundations, the Network established five offices worldwide. In 1991 the Regional Offices, while still embracing BUN's mission, became financially and programmatically independent. If a Central Office of BUN exists, it has no homepage. Extensive homepages are available for BUN-Central America, BUN-Zimbabwe and BUN-India), which seem to be the most active regional groups.

Contacts: CA: bun-ca@... India: Prof. Mukunda (mukunda@...) Zimbabwe: biomass@...

Example projects

Zimbabwe: BUN is facilitating a community project whose goal is to enhance wise management and utilisation of natural resources in the indigenous forest area. The project will build the capacity of local communities by providing management skills, promoting decision making capabilities, and creating income generating opportunities. Community workshops helped to synthesize local people's aspiration and needs. Surveys at household level have been undertaken.

Central America: BUN has been instrumental in sustaining a permanent agenda for small-scale renewable energy projects in Central America. BUN-CA's activities has permanently brought attention to the role renewable energy plays in meeting the energy needs of the region.

Sources

This profile, based on initial information contributed by Eco Ltd, was updated within the framework of the Sparknet project supported by the European Commission's Fifth Framework Programme.

Click here for the full list of donor, organisation, and project profiles from Sparknet.

Pagename: :BUN