GUBA - Today, residents of the Rustov community of the Guba district celebrated the completion of a solar energy street lighting project. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Embassy, Ministry of Economy, local Executive Committee, and municipal government. The project was co-financed by USAID and the Government of Azerbaijan and implemented by the East-West Management Institute (EWMI) under the Socio-Economic Development Activity (SEDA). 

Without an effective street lighting system, the Rustov community relied on poorly installed lights in front of houses to illuminate village streets. Traveling in the dark for the community was difficult and dangerous, particularly for pedestrians and schoolchildren walking to school in the fall and winter.

With support from EWMI, the community developed the innovative solution to use solar energy for street lighting. The community installed 20 solar panels on the main street of the village to benefit 1,600 residents. In addition to providing adequate lighting, solar power will add reliability for continued electricity supply while also benefitting the environment and saving money on electricity.

Since 2011, EWMI with USAID support has implemented 79 projects in 69 communities benefiting more than 100,000 people around Azerbaijan. Through SEDA, EWMI promotes cooperation between citizens, civil society organizations, and government to advance socio-economic development.