Germany’s Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) works for the conservation of natural habitats, flora and fauna. NABU’s Africa Program focuses on forest conservation, improvement of protected areas, climate change mitigation and environmental education, amongst other projects.

The Kafa Biosphere Reserve, located 450 km southwest of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, hosts the world’s origin of Arabica coffee in the wild coffee forests. Here, local energy needs are met by using fuel wood and charcoal from the endangered natural forests. NABU wants to establish alternative energy systems or develop new methods (e.g. briquettes out of coffee pulps) in order to preserve the forests.

Interns will analyse renewable energy potentials (solar, biomass, wind, water) for generating electricity/cooking energy. UNESCO’s MAB program and the established biosphere reserves serve as model regions. The specific needs of user groups including cultural backgrounds will be addressed. Interns will research alternatives in other parts of Ethiopia and Africa and consult with local experts, community members and other stakeholders in Kafa for implementation planning. Interns will ultimately develop a conceptual plan for implementation of the selected system. A written documentation in English should be provided to NABU at the end of the internship. Before leaving for Ethiopia interns will be made familiar with the Kafa Reserve and the overall procedures in Ethiopia at NABU.

Interns require knowledge in renewables, ideally in installing solar, biomass, wind or water devices to generate energy. They should be aware that there is little understanding of renewables in this region. Written and spoken English is required as is the ability to adapt to basic living conditions and willingness to hike and walk longer distances. Interns should also bring their own laptops.

The scheduled time for the internship is August to October 2012. Training and seminars prior to the internship will be held in English. The team will be formed by a Czech participant, a Polish participant and a German/Swiss participant.