Impact Spotlight
Providing reliable electricity through a hybrid solar microgrid
Training 120 women and youth to operate and maintain the solar microgrid, strengthening their role in Indigenous governance and renewable energy
Integrating solar energy with agroecology and forest restoration to advance biodiversity conservation, food security, and a just transition
About
In Sezukadang, Southern Bukidnon, the Menuvu-Kirenteken community lives within an officially recognized ancestral domain that stretches across several municipalities. Land, forests, water, agriculture, and cultural practice are deeply connected here: annual traditions such as Semeyaan bring communities together around planting, water sources, ancestors, and relationships with the natural world. Indigenous governance remains active as well, with distinct community organizations supporting women’s leadership, youth development, and collective decision-making.
Samdhana Institute is a non-profit organization that supports Indigenous Peoples and local communities in securing their land and resource rights, strengthening Indigenous governance, and ensuring access to justice so they can lead their own development, safeguard their cultures, and build resilient futures. Through trust-based grant-making, organizational strengthening, capacity development, and technical support, Samdhana enables communities to protect their territories, conserve biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience, and develop sustainable livelihoods rooted in local knowledge and culture. The name Samdhana, derived from the Sanskrit word meaning "healing" or "reconciliation," reflects its commitment to fostering harmony between people and nature.
Deeply rooted in long-term partnerships with Indigenous communities, Samdhana Institute’s work is strengthened by a diverse team that includes Indigenous leaders and practitioners who bring lived experience to advancing community-led solutions across the region.
“Like the trees, we young people are also rooted in our traditions and tribe, and we are continually watered as we live out our culture in our daily lives. Our ancestors are the roots, and we are the branches that will reach into the future.”
HF Partnership
Through this partnership, The Samdhana Institute will work alongside the Sezukadang Menuvu-Kirenteken community to develop a locally managed hybrid solar microgrid serving homes, community water infrastructure, and livelihood enterprises.
The initiative is rooted in the community's development plan and shaped through buron-buron (community assemblies), where elders, women, youth, and community members make decisions through Indigenous governance systems and the principles of Free, Prior and Informed Consent, with the Sezukadang Menuvu Tribal Organization leading implementation and community members participating in system design, installation, and long-term management through a trained Community Operations and Maintenance Team.
Reliable solar energy will power homes, the Turugan (tribal house), community facilities, water systems, and small-scale irrigation while supporting community-led enterprises such as turmeric processing, weaving, and agroecology, reducing the burden of water collection and expanding opportunities for education, livelihoods, and the leadership of women and youth in community governance and renewable energy management. Sunstruck Solar Solutions will design and install the hybrid solar microgrid, household connections, battery storage, and solar-powered water system while training local operators, with technical support from the Mindanao Renewable Energy Center of Ateneo de Davao University helping optimize system performance and reinforce community ownership.
In the News
