Village Solar

18/04/2026

D-Prize is offering up to $20,000 in funding to support new entrepreneurs working to reduce extreme poverty. They explore a wide range of proven interventions that have the potential to reach millions of people.

Send in your 2-page concept note by June 7, 2026, and you could be selected to receive seed funding to bring your idea to life through a pilot!

👉 Take part here: www.d-prize.org

The D-Prize Global Competition is now open.

If you’ve ever wanted to build something that tackles extreme poverty, this is your moment.

Winning teams receive up to $20,000 to launch a new venture, whether an NGO, charity, or for-profit, focused on scaling proven solutions in areas like health, agriculture, livelihoods, and more. This is about executing what already works, at scale.

Who should apply? You’re a strong fit if you:

Are ambitious and ready to build.
Want to launch (and grow) a venture with real impact.
Can commit to going full-time if your pilot succeeds.

Deadline: June 7, 2026

Explore the interventions and apply: www.d-prize.org

10/04/2026

BIG NEWS! We have been named a 2026 Purpose Earth grant winner!

Thank you Purpose Earth Global for supporting our work in rural Malawi to create jobs and build lasting livelihoods for women, and expand access to clean, affordable solar energy products in off-grid communities. This work is especially important, as access to reliable electricity remains limited, and clean energy solutions such as solar lamps can significantly improve household wellbeing, education, and small business productivity.

24/03/2026

All Good Ventures is awarding early-stage social entrepreneurs up to NZD $20,000. If you are building a business that generates revenue and social impact, this is your chance!

Apply by 31 March 2026 and you could be one of the selected founders to receive seed funding and a full year of support to launch and grow your venture.

ONE WEEK to get your application in!

If you're new here, we’re looking for early-stage founders building social enterprise businesses that generate revenue to improve the lives of people facing serious hardship.

Successful applicants to our year-long programme get a full year of support, including:

- Seed funding of NZD $5,000–$20,000
- One year of dedicated 1:1 business mentoring
- Practical support including access to expert advice, skilled volunteers, and startup resources

No cost. Just real support to help you build a venture that changes marginalised lives.

🗓️ Applications close 31 March
🌍 Open globally

Check eligibility criteria and apply: www.allgood.ventures/apply

20/03/2026

19/03/2026

Heavy rains and flooding have hit Malawi.

The Department of Disaster Management Affairs has officially confirmed that over the last four days, persistent heavy rains and flooding have claimed 13 lives and affected 9,598 households across the country.

At Village Solar, we are sharing this information to help keep our communities informed and safe. Reports indicate significant displacement and loss of property across 16 affected councils, particularly in Zomba, Machinga, and Chikwawa.

Please take note of these critical safety points:

1. Do not attempt to cross swollen rivers. Several lives have been lost while trying to cross fast-flowing water.

2. Evacuate if necessary. 12 camps are already active. If you are in a low-lying area, follow local authorities’ guidance and move to higher ground immediately.

3. Maintain communication. In times of crisis, a charged mobile device is a vital lifeline. Ensure your solar devices are positioned to capture available light so you can stay connected to emergency services and loved ones.

We continue to monitor updates from the Department of Disaster Management Affairs and encourage everyone to remain alert.

Stay safe and look out for one another. Our thoughts are with the affected families and communities.

17/03/2026

17/03/2026

In many parts of Africa, including Malawi, women still work twice as hard just to be seen, heard, and taken seriously. When so much energy is spent fighting for a seat at the table, women often miss out on the actual opportunities to grow and lead.

We want to give a massive shout-out to our co-founder, Susanna Simango. As an AWEC Alumna and Community Champion, Susanna is leading by example to change this reality. She shows us what it truly means to , which is the belief that when we share knowledge and give generously, opportunities for everyone especially women multiply.

In celebration of Women’s Month, Susanna has committed to reach and train 150 women entrepreneurs this year. The focus of her training sessions is to help them move beyond just "getting by" to mastering business growth and increasing sales. A key part of her approach is Root Cause Analysis. This is a powerful tool that can be applied to fix the problems holding a business back instead of just treating the symptoms.

If you would like to learn more or connect with Susanna for advice, or explore opportunities to collaborate, please drop us a message.

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

AWEC

15/01/2026

Today we reflect on the power of courage, purpose, and collective action. As we honor the legacy Rev. John Chilembwe Day, we are reminded that lasting progress comes when communities are empowered to lead their own development, supported by solutions that unlock opportunity, resilience, and dignity.

14/01/2026

What if we could build a purpose-driven business that reaches the hardest-to-reach off-grid rural areas of Malawi, the way Coca-Cola reaches even the most remote communities? What if we were present in every trading center and village, as familiar as a corner shop, and offered customer support rooted in real relationships, where customers know our names, can ask questions face to face, and get help when something goes wrong?

What if we did all of this through a network of trained local women, creating livelihoods while serving households living off-grid and in energy-poor communities, with an environmentally responsible and socially conscious product line, providing clean, reliable solar energy that transforms daily life, powers homes, supports education, and strengthens communities?

Learn more about our vision, impact, and progress at www.villagesolar.org

Would you like to support our work and help bring clean, reliable solar energy to rural communities in Malawi? Get in touch with us at [email protected]

01/01/2026

🎉 Happy New Year! Our latest newsletter is now live. Catch up on the latest news from Village Solar: 👉 https://villagesolar.org/quarterly-newsletter-vol-1-issue-4/