The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Sonnenenergie e.V. is active on a regional level nationwide. Its over 3.000 individual and corporate members are organised in 36 sections and 5 state associations which have separate accounting schemes due to local regulations.

The structure of the federal DGS can be seen in the following charts:

36 regional offices:

Arnsberg, Lüneburg, Augsburg-Schwaben, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Berlin-Brandenburg, Mittelfranken-Oberfranken, Braunschweig, München-Südbayern,  Bremen, Münster, Cottbus, Niederbayern, Detmold, Oberpfalz, Düsseldorf, Osnabrück, Frankfurt-Südhessen, Rheinhessen-Pfalz, Freiburg-Südbaden, Saarland, Göttingen, Sachsen, Hamburg, Sachsen-Anhalt, Hanau-Osthessen, Schleswig-Hollstein, Hannover, Stuttgart Nord-Württemberg, Karlsruhe-Nordbaden, Thüringen, Kassel-ASK, Trier, Koblenz, Tübingen Süd-Württemberg, Köln-Bonn-Aachen, Unterfranken 

5 state organisations:

Landesverband Berlin-Brandenburg e.V.

Landesverband Hamburg Schleswig-Hollstein e.V.

Landesverband Mitteldeutschland e.V. (Sachsen, Thüringen, Sachsen-Anhalt)

Landesverband Rheinland-Pfalz e.V.

Landesverband Saarland e.V.

Seven specialised teams are active within the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Sonnenenergie e.V. and focus their work on different subject fields. Their professional knowledge allows the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Sonnenenergie e.V. to play an active and competent role also in technical discussions. Further on, the work of the expert committee constantly provides current and highly-specialized information relevant to decision makers and the population.

The European Forum for Economic Co-operation [EFEC] was founded in 2003. EFEC is a registered European Economic Interest Grouping (EEIG). It comprises of qualified members and partners in EU countries and in particular in Asia as well. EFEC as an European Economic Interest Grouping based on Council Regulation (EEC) No 2137/85 of 25 July 1985 is an international organisation. EFEC supports on a not-for-profit basis sustainable development via the mobilisation of economic co-operation within the European private sector and organisations in developing countries.

EFEC does not duplicate the work of national intermediaries. Whilst such intermediaries undertake actions in their name to offer opportunities or support economic co-operation, EFEC develops and facilitates economic co-operation projects of other public and private sector organisations and companies.
EFEC to achieve its corporate objectives, in addition to invite Asian and European organisations to become a member or to associate themselves, co-operates with institutions and companies active in development co-operation within an informal network. Within this network, EFEC functions as a clearinghouse and information forum, which produces synergy from until now not sufficiently co-ordinated national or individual actions and by mobilising private sector resources. In particular for actions within the context of development co-operation EFEC contributes it experience with project management of EU co-operation programmes and assuring an outreach of the project activities to Asian and EU SMEs, herewith enabling and facilitating private sector engagement, technology transfer and economic co-operation.

Jointly founded by three universities in Turku in 1992, the Finland Futures Research Centre (FFRC) is an auxiliary unit of the Turku School of Economics and Business Administration. The centre has co-operation with universities and colleges, the Academy of Finland, various Ministries and organisations, as well as the business world.

Futures research is a multidisciplinary field of study. Its aim is to describe, explain and understand large-scale societal phenomena as well as the associated changes and developmental processes in various spheres of life. The research results are applied for practical problem solving. The strength of Finland Futures Research Centre lies in its multidisciplinary approach, the results of which produce added value for international science as well as enterprises, decision-makers and other parties. Its extensive and multidisciplinary approach together with the professionalism of its personnel provides the centre with the resources for carrying out future-oriented research, development, consultation and training projects for principals and clients across the field.

A solid co-operation network guarantees that the centre is able to apply the latest ideas, visions and methods in its projects.
Energy and climate policy related research and development has been the main area of applications in the projects of the centre. The projects have been carried out in Finland, Europe and developing countries. The projects have been dealing energy technology, energy economics, environmental impacts of energy use and energy policy at different levels of operation (local, national and global). The centre has organised futures oriented training and education for energy specialists and developed futures workshops, distance learning and modelling tools for training activities.

National University of Laos (NUOL) – was founded in 5 November 1996 by merging several higher education institutions in Vientiane municipality.

Currently NUOL consists of 11 faculties, a school of foundation studies, a hospital and 7 centers, comprised in 7 campuses. Since 2002, NUOL has had two branches at two parts of the country: Southern, Champasak University (established 2002, Champasak province) and Northern, Souphanouvong University (opened in 2003 at Luang Prabang town).

Some statistics (2004):

Staff member  1,592

- Teaching:  1015

- Administrative: 437

 

Enrolments:  22,624 students

 

Faculty of Engineering (FE) was Founded upon establishment of NUOL (1996), by the name of Faculty of Engineering and Architecture (FEA). FEA was combined of 5 higher technical institutions:

– National Polytechnic Institute (year of foundation: 1984)

– High School of Electronics (1973)

– College of Transport & Communication (1983)

– College of Irrigation (1983)

– College of Architecture (1979)

 

FEA was comprised of 7 department, such as Architecture, Civil, Communication and transport, Electrical, Electronic, Irrigation and mechanical engineering, located at 3 campuses. Since 2004, the department of Architecture has been separated as independent faculty- the Faculty of Architecture.

There is also a Lao-Japan Technical Training Center, specializing on training on electronic and computer technology.

Some statistics (2004):

Staff: 355 (teaching: 292)

Enrolment: 5,330 students

 

Offered programs: Currently FE offers several programs, including

Regular programs:

– Bachelor degrees (5 years)

– Higher Diploma (4 years)

– Medium Diploma (3 years)

 

Special programs:

– Bachelor degree Bridging course in IT education, supported by JICA (Japan)

– Master programs in Communication and Transport, cooperation with Hanoi University of Communication and  Transport, (2002-2004, Vietnam)

– Master program in Mechatronics, cooperation between FE/NUOL and Hanoi University of Technology (2005-2007, Vietnam)

 

Within FE main campus, there are also location of an Office of AUF (Agency of French speaking Universities) and a Vocational Teacher Training Division (within Lao-German Cooperation program).

FE is a one of tree Lao partners for Asia Pro Eco project.

In early 2004 the government unveiled its new policy on local non-profit organizations (NGO) and their role in the socio-economic development of Lao PDR. Under this new policy the Community Development and Environment Association (CDEA) was officially registered with the Lao government on the 12th Feb-ruary 2004 under permission letter No. 053/04/NCS. 

The work of the CDEA draws together sustainable community development and sustainable environmental development, acknowledging the co-dependency of people with their environment. As well as leading on many innovative initiatives, the CDEA provides guidance and support to grass-roots community groups and not-for-profit community projects in Lao PDR.

The CDEA has been instrumental in the support and development of savings groups in rural districts of Vientiane Province. These schemes operate under female leadership at a village level. The implementation of these savings groups has helped to generate related income activities, alongside this the CDEA offers training and support in their own communities, for women to develop their own enterprises. To a great extent this has improved their livelihoods. One such initiative is a duck raising project, working with im-poverished rural families, many of whom are UXO victims otherwise unable to find formal work. Not only does this generate an income, but also assuring that there are sustainable and long-term employment pros-pects for the generations to come. A joint social welfare fund network is been established in order to pro-vide some financial assistance in times of need. Such projects have bought much needed female empowerment, creating a strong platform for building on other income generation and social welfare initiatives. The objectives of the CDEA are to support the on-going cooperative work of these predominately female lead grassroots groups, and empower them to understand their own development processes.

The CDEA is very aware as an organization that the protection of the countries environment is a vitally important aspect of both community development, and the long-term sustainable future of Lao PDR. With this in mind the CDEA is working on the implementation of Integrated Waste Management (IWM). Demonstrating how waste is a vital resource for innovative forms of economic regeneration. By composting the organic waste from the markets around Vientiane, the CDEA intends to market and sell to the local farming communities, as an inexpensive non-chemical based fertilizer. This initiative encompasses and enhances the economic, health and social well-being of both urban and rural communities. This holistic approach to sustainable environmental and community development is one of the CDEA’s primary objectives. The CDEA is also running a small environmental awareness raising and composting project in Lao schools. Pupils are to being encouraged to use the compost they create, to grow pot plants, so as to generate additional income for the school and thus enhance their education.

The all encompassing approach of the CDEA in viewing sustainable environmental and community development as a whole, ensures that communities are empowered through cooperative working to be able to be instrumental in the development of all aspects of their lives. Going from strength to strength, through ecologically sound initiatives, and improving the socio-economic well-being of local communities. 

Technology Research Institute (TRI) is a government organization working under The Science Technology and Environment Agency (STEA) inside the Prime Minister Office. TRI focuses on Research and Development of Renewable Energy Technology, Appropriate Technology, Mechanical Engineering and New Material Technology for workable in local condition and to suit the needs of national economic and social development.  Provide diverse academic service and consultancy to the local community in order to improve the quality of domestic product, and human resource development: to promote and upgrade technical skill.

TRI task force comprises of 24 researchers. Among them, 5 senior researchers in Biomass Biogas, PV technology application, and one specialist on energy economics and policy,  all graduated from abroad (France, former Soviet Union, Thailand(AIT..).

TRI also has a cooperation network to share research experienced and carry out research, demonstration, dissemination and human resource development: public and private sectors in the country: faculty of Engineering and Architect, agriculture research institute, RESDA Laos, Sunlabob,…, and with international organizations: ASEAN, CORE, CDG, GTZ, CIDA, FAO, NEDO, UNESCO, UNDP, Sida/AIT, SNV, National University of Singapore, Ministry of Science and Technology (Thailand), Ministry of Science and Technology (Vietnam).

Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) is a public Institution (not for profit) located in Phnom Penh (Blvd. Pochentong, BP. 86), Cambodia. ITC trains the students on the subject of Electrical and Energy Engineering to meet human resource requirement on this field in Cambodia. In addition, ITC provides vocational training for public and private sectors for specific courses. With the Regional Institution Collaborations, International Collaborations and with the exchange programme, our stuffs and students are now better trained.

Cambodian Education and Waste Management Organisation, COMPED is a non-governmental organization established in year 2000 and officially registered at the Ministry of Interior in April 2003.

The purposes and goals of COMPED include:

- Cooperating with the Phnom Penh authorities to deal with the waste crisis in Phnom Penh and to save the environment.

- Networking with the “Thüringisch Kambodschanische Gesellschaft” (TKG) to organize educational sponsorships for some less advantaged children in cooperation with German godparents, to build schools, and to operate the composting plant.

- Exchanging experiences with farmers in order to promote the quality of agricultural soil by using compost.

The COMPED is a Cambodian NGO working in the field of waste management and education. In the frame of the Asia ProEco project “Capacity Building and Policy Reinforcement in Cambodia in the Field of Waste Management” an environmental training centre was established and transferred to COMPED. The centre has all facilities for training and accommodation (30 beds). COMPED is experienced in the developing of appropriate training material and guidelines for its countries in Khmer. Due to its project activities in the field of waste management and education it is furthermore highly qualified in community based project work. Its experience in the field of renewable energy are limited so far, but COMPED intends to become an important NGO in this field.