News

IEEE Smart Village (ISV), in collaboration with Kerala-based EQUINOCT and local partners, is proud to announce the commissioning of a Community Resource Efficiency (CRE) Hub in North Paravur, Kochi, India. This initiative represents the first ISV–funded project in Kerala, India, and will support 25 micro and small enterprises (MSMEs) operating across the coastal panchayats of Ernakulam district.

EQUINOCT is a Kerala-based organization that works closely with communities, institutions, and governments to build a climate-resilient future. As the technology partner and implementing lead for this initiative, EQUINOCT is applying its expertise in community modeling, clean energy, and enterprise systems to drive long-term impact.

At the core of the hub are solar-powered assets: a five-tonne cold storage unit, a two-tonne capacity solar dryer, and two electric cargo autorickshaws with charging infrastructure. These systems provide critical infrastructure for enterprises engaged in fish, dairy, and agricultural value addition—businesses that have long struggled without access to reliable energy or modern storage.

Beyond technical training, EQUINOCT is collaborating with scientific institutions like Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Marine Products Export Development Authority,  Technology Innovation & Business Innovation Center, and Chochin University of Science and Technology to provide access to expertise in product innovation, sustainable processing, and export readiness. As the hub takes shape, working capital access and low-interest financial products are also being negotiated to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses. Plans are underway to develop a “green label” certification for the products, emphasizing their low carbon footprint and clean-energy-powered value chains, enhancing market potential in premium and eco-conscious markets.

With support from ISV, the project aims to become a replicable model that connects science, enterprise, and environmental adaptation at the grassroots. EQUINOCT’s commitment is to ensure the hub transitions to full community ownership within one year, with ongoing oversight potentially managed by a collective of the 25 participating enterprises or a consortium of community organizations.

Originally envisioned to serve 20 enterprises, the program has already expanded to support 25 ventures —an indicator of strong community demand and local engagement. The CRE Hub will provide not just infrastructure but also a pathway toward professionally managed, tech-enabled enterprises. Participants will receive training in digital inventory systems, e-commerce marketing, accounting, financial literacy, branding, and business operations.

The CRE Hub will be financially self-sufficient by operating on a shared-infrastructure, fee-for-service model that blends affordability for local women-led enterprises. Income will be generated through cold storage and solar dryer rentals, electric cargo transport, and enterprise support services such as marketing and accounting. Lean annual expenses and reinvestment of surplus into maintenance, training, and business development will further improve the long-term viability of the venture, eliminating the need for ongoing donor support. 

Management is handled by a dedicated community-based not-for-profit entity, ensuring local ownership, transparency, and accountability. EQUINOCT is working with a range of strategic partners, including the Resilient Destinations Foundation, CRC Puthenvelikkara, and historic Gandhian institutions such as the Gandhi Smaraka Seva Kendram, to ensure deep community integration and enduring institutional support.

This donor-funded initiative provides an important demonstration of how distributed clean energy and community enterprise can drive both climate adaptation and economic development. The CRE Hub’s launch marks a vital milestone for ISV’s growing impact footprint in Asia. CRE Hub’s business and management model align with ISV’s mission to build partnerships that enable self-reliance and community ownership. 

This project is just one of many life-changing projects IEEE Smart Village supports in all parts of the world. Thank you to the members of the IEEE Power & Energy Society for supporting this project and to the donors who are making the work of ISV possible. ISV invites you to be part of its transformative journey. Together, we can nurture local enterprises, harness technology, and ignite change in underserved communities worldwide. To learn more about ISV’s impactful initiatives and how you can contribute, visit https://smartvillage.ieee.org, or to make a donation, click here.

Interested in supporting IEEE Smart Village’s mission? Contact Michael Deering, Sr. Development Officer, at m.deering@ieee.org or +1 732 562 3915.