This International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate that a sustainable future depends on inclusion for all, be it in villages or cities; on the farms, or in the boardrooms. Schneider believes it’s essential to embrace different perspectives, and facilitate participation from everyone. As a global Impact company, we understand our outward responsibility to enable access to education, healthcare, employment, and leadership roles – playing a key role in transforming communities around the world.
Shaping the future from multiple angles
Since 2009, Schneider has supported communities around the world. This includes equipping women worldwide with skills and opportunities in technical fields, particularly in the energy sector. The increased productivity, innovation, and economic prosperity pulses into the surrounding area, creating a lasting benefit for everyone.
We’re also electrifying the world. Our Access to Energy social business aims to connect 50 million people to electricity by 2025, a goal we achieved one year early: reaching 53.4 million people by the end of 2024. By providing clean and reliable energy solutions, we create the conditions for rapid socio-economic development, especially in underserved communities.
Our holistic approach includes impact investing. We support high-impact startups that can drive local renewable energy and innovation, while creating jobs directly on the ground. This way, we don’t just lift communities; we give them the financial strength to lift and sustain themselves.
Stimulating grassroots change with Climate Smart Villages
During my recent trip to India, I witnessed firsthand how Schneider’s projects are transforming the daily realities of local communities. Our Climate Smart Village solutions in Gumla empower people, including women, to take on key roles in agriculture, like mustard oil production and rice milling. These initiatives are not just about providing electricity; they are about igniting hope, fostering innovation, and uplifting lives.
Access to essentials like healthcare, education, food security, livelihood opportunities, safety, and clean water is the foundation of socio-economic development. Yet, in rural India, many communities still face the harsh reality of unreliable electricity access. They often rely on polluting diesel power, not only incurring high costs but also posing significant environmental hazards. Even in areas with electricity, challenges persist. Power limitations and unreliable supply hinder essential services, making it difficult for clinics to operate smoothly, schools to remain lit, and homes to be safe and comfortable.
Recognizing these challenges, the Indian government is making strong efforts to accelerate the energy transition and champion renewable energy. With an ambitious target to decarbonize 50% of its energy and achieve 500 GW of fossil fuel-free power by 2030, at Schneider we are honored to be part of this journey. Our innovative solutions like the Climate Smart Village, are designed to boost energy efficiency and promote the use of renewable energy.
More than just a utility; energy is a lifeline. It empowers communities, drives economic growth, and fosters a sense of security and well-being. In partnership with PRADAN (Professional Assistance for Development Action), our Climate Smart Village solutions are generating income for local families today, while honing their leadership skills for tomorrow. The solution includes solar arrays with innovative IoT-enabled smart power management systems that ensure efficient use of solar power. By providing clean and reliable energy for irrigation pumps, agro-processing units, and households, we’ve seen a 2X increase in farmers’ income, reduced migration, and a decrease in carbon emissions by 60,000 kg/year. The solar-powered electricity has also improved daily life in the village, providing reliable and consistent access to energy, allowing healthcare services to operate smoothly and schools to benefit from uninterrupted power supply.
Breaking barriers with solar power: Reenora’s story
In the village of Sehal, Reenora and other women farmers shared how their lives have been transformed by Schneider’s Climate Smart Village solutions. Previously, farming was entirely dependent on seasonal rains, limiting their ability to grow crops beyond monsoon seasons. With the introduction of solar-powered water pumps, Reenora and other farmers can now cultivate throughout the year, growing wheat, mustard, tomatoes, onions, and even watermelon. Many have reported substantial income growth and a significant boost in agricultural productivity.
The impact of these solutions extends beyond individual farmers. The Ghagra Women’s Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) has been instrumental in connecting farmers like Reenora to markets. Earlier, individual farmers struggled with inconsistent sales and fluctuating earnings. Now, they sell their produce in bulk through the FPO, ensuring fair prices and direct payments, leading to financial independence and higher profitability, encouraging more women to actively participate in agricultural decision-making.
Emboldening rural entrepreneurs: Pallavi’s story
During my visit, I also met Pallavi, an entrepreneur from a farming village. Following solar technician training in Nagpur and a 21-day Entrepreneur Incubation Program in Bengaluru, she founded SK Solar & Power Solutions in 2024. Despite initial challenges in promoting solar energy, her pilot projects demonstrated its benefits, leading to wider adoption. Pallavi’s solutions now provide electricity to homes, businesses, and farmers – boosting productivity and income for entire communities.
Hers is one of many stories. For me, India was an immersive, 4D testament to the deep and lingering impact of education. Our training initiatives don’t just provide a livelihood, they also offer entrepreneurs, including women, leadership skills to become the next generation of innovators.
More ladders everywhere
The success of Schneider’s Climate Smart Villages serves as a blueprint for sustainable development worldwide. These initiatives demonstrate that with the right resources and support, communities can achieve remarkable growth and transformation. They show that sustainable energy solutions can drive systemic change, empower lives, and create scalable models for global rural transformation.
As we celebrate progress this International Women’s Day, let’s continue this strong momentum. Because a world resilient to climate change is one where everyone can thrive – with the participation, potential, and perspectives of everybody, everywhere. I’m proud that Schneider takes a firm leadership role in ensuring inclusion, both inside and outside our company. And we remain committed to accelerating access to essential services like healthcare, education, food security, livelihood opportunities, safety, clean energy and water for all.
To learn more about Schneider’s commitment to sustainability and inclusion, visit our Sustainability page.
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