How we work
Hundreds of millions of people still live without access to clean energy, and with it the means to power farms, grow businesses, and build more resilient lives. The technologies that could change this exist, and their costs keep falling. What is missing are the conditions that would let them take hold where they are needed.
Energy access transforms lives and livelihoods, and renewable energy is often the most cost-effective and accessible resource to meet communities’ needs. But delivering access where it is needed most calls for a comprehensive and coordinated approach that can be scaled.
Energy 4 Impact, Mercy Corps’ market systems program for clean energy access, exists to change that. We tackle the barriers that hold energy markets back, from unclear regulation and limited investor confidence to fragmented coordination and gaps in evidence, so that clean energy can scale.
We organize our work around three outcome areas: strengthening the policies and regulations markets need, helping enterprises grow from early stage to commercial scale, and generating the market evidence that gives decision-makers the confidence to invest. Few organizations work across all three at once, convening governments, enterprises, and investors while drawing evidence from live programs. That combination is what lets us shift markets as a whole, not just in parts.
Our market-led approach
The private sector plays a pivotal role in achieving sustainable and durable impact. That is why we work to make clean energy markets attractive to private investment, enabling communities to increase productivity, offer vital services, create sustainable jobs, and grow local economies that are inclusive, resilient, and low-carbon. We provide enterprises with technical expertise, strategic business and operational advice, and financial access support, to build robust markets for affordable clean energy solutions.
Last mile inclusion that prioritizes local businesses shapes our work to ensure energy access can unlock the most impact in the communities we serve. Gender-responsive and socially inclusive strategies are at the heart of our work. We are committed to ensuring equal participation and benefits for all, while addressing the specific energy needs and challenges faced by women and marginalized groups.