IEEE Smart Village, Electrifying Ideas
We back visionary entrepreneurs who are driving community economic development through innovative, technology-enabled enterprises. Guided by our three pillars—Electricity, Education, and Enterprise—we deliver impactful, scalable, and self-sustaining solutions, leveraging IEEE’s global network of experts, volunteers, and resources to help local businesses grow and thrive.
IEEE Smart Village is an initiative of IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional organization, empowering entrepreneurs to create sustainable energy and education solutions that strengthen communities and expand economic opportunity.
IEEE Smart Village (ISV) has a unique approach to support India’s energy-impoverished communities by providing a comprehensive solution combining renewable energy, community-based education, and entrepreneurial opportunities. ISV provides seed-funding to carefully selected community entrepreneurs based upon a credible business plan that will impact a significant number of people with electricity, education and jobs.
Entrepreneurs funded by IEEE Smart Village collaborate in a very open way to share their experiences, successes, difficulties and lessons learned. They meet regularly to discuss how to improve their business plans.
Impact of the IEEE Smart Village
Our Stories of Impact
A Journey of Impact: Equinoct (Kerala, India)
Africa Development Promise
Great Himalayan Expedition
Journey of Impact: Tezpur University
A Journey of Impact: Equinoct (Kerala, India)
Africa Development Promise
Great Himalayan Expedition
Journey of Impact: Tezpur University
Our Pillars
IEEE Smart Village empowers local entrepreneurs by providing renewable energy infrastructure and essential seed funding to launch micro-utilities. We partner with these visionaries to establish sustainable business models while delivering continuous vocational training. By engaging the entire community in the success of these local enterprises, profits are strategically reinvested to foster long-term economic development and educational empowerment.
ISV’s educational initiatives focus on two integral elements essential for driving long‑term community success. Through a strategic collaboration with Denver’s Regis University and the Posner Center for International Development, IEEE Smart Village provides: The Development Practice graduate certificate, which equips engineers with humanitarian expertise for local application, and vocational training in Community Entrepreneurship, delivering the technical skills required to operate, manage, and scale IEEE Smart Village‑supported micro‑utilities.
Our unique approach centers on empowering local visionaries through venture philanthropy, where business owners possess a deep personal stake in their community’s prosperity. The viability of these energy enterprises is inextricably linked to the success of neighboring merchants, tailors, and agricultural producers. This collective pride in shared achievements acts as a catalyst, driving further economic development and long-term regional growth.
Education
IEEE Smart Village places education at the core of its mission, pairing reliable energy with knowledge to unlock opportunity. Programs span early learning to vocational and technical training, empowering communities across generations. Through partnerships with schools and universities, ISV supports student‑led projects that apply renewable energy to real challenges
IEEE Smart Village sponsors enterprises across South Asia and around the world
IEEE Smart Village supports enterprises across South Asia and around the world. With a foundation of reliable, renewable power, we enable communities in India and across the globe with the skills and knowledge to solve many of their own problems. This includes Pre-K to 12th Grade educational solutions to vocational and life skills training for adults.
Solar Smart Irrigation for Kudagaon Island Village
Livelihood Focused Solar Microgrids
Community Resource Efficiency Hub for Coastal Women Entrepreneurs
Sustainable Rural Community Development in Jhawani Village
IEEE Smart Village Flipbook
We are proud to announce the release of its latest interactive flipbook, now available to explore online. This dynamic publication highlights the inspiring stories, innovative projects, and community-driven initiatives that are advancing sustainable development and empowering underserved populations worldwide.
Regional Committees
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South Asia Regional Committee (SARC)
The South Asia Regional Committee (SARC) brings together professionals from industry, academia, social enterprises, and independent practice to advance sustainable rural development across the region.
SARC operates through focused sub‑committees covering safety, community engagement, technology support, and student branches. Core areas include rural entrepreneurship, healthcare access, transport infrastructure and mobility solutions, energy solutions, and agricultural sustainability.
The Committee’s charter centres on mentoring project proposals, standardising practical technological solutions, and building business models designed for long‑term viability. In addition to project design and implementation, SARC has established a Project Monitoring Committee that provides continued monitoring and operational oversight. This ensures that initiatives are regularly reviewed, updated, and guided to remain accountable, effective, and sustainable over time.
On the ground, SARC implements projects that directly improve rural livelihoods—solar‑powered smart irrigation systems, electrification of healthcare facilities in remote villages, and digital literacy and entrepreneurship programmes for women. Each initiative is designed to strengthen local economic independence and create lasting community impact.
South Asia Working Group Leadership
Dr. Satish Chetwani
Chair, South Asia Regional Committee
Satish Chetwani serves as the Director at Electrical Research and Development Association (ERDA), Vadodara, India. Before this position, Satish led the R&D Expert Service Division at ERDA and was responsible for technology development in areas such as renewable energy, product development, advanced materials, and power systems. He also headed the ERDA’s Short Circuit and Switchgear Laboratories. He has established various testing laboratories for appliances, wiring accessories, washing machines, batteries, refrigerators, rotating machines, distribution boards, panels, and DC switchgear. His areas of expertise include rotating machines, transformers, diagnostics, product development, switchgears, solar PV, and short circuits.
Get Involved
IEEE Smart Village is not a charity. We are a donor‑funded venture philanthropy initiative that launches holistically sustainable social enterprises—both for‑profit and NGO—designed to scale and empower communities for the long term.
We focus on projects that integrate our Three Pillars:
- Electricity – deploying solar microgrids, productive energy systems, and essential services.
- Education – embedding training and life skills to unlock opportunity.
- Enterprise – building fee‑based, community‑owned businesses that sustain growth.
- Embrace ISV’s Three Pillars in every proposal
- Demonstrate startup experience and proven success
- Treat communities as partners, not charity cases
- Maintain strong relationships with local authorities
- Bring management expertise across business, technology, and education
- Present a business plan capable of reaching one million people in 5–10 years
- Show ability to attract investment capital for growth
- Incentivize community ownership and participation
- Collaborate on holistic community needs
Our funding ranges from USD 25,000 to 200,000, with pilot projects encouraged at the USD 50,000 level. We disburse milestone‑based payments under bilateral agreements to ensure accountability, compliance, and measurable impact.
The journey from outreach to project agreement typically spans 12–18 months, ensuring that every proposal is community‑driven, financially sound, and aligned with ISV’s mission.
Steps to Becoming an ISV Entrepreneur
- Identify Applicant – Confirm that your organization (NGO, cooperative, or startup) is legally registered, compliant, and ready to drive sustainable empowerment.
- Conduct Surveys – Engage with communities to assess energy, education, and enterprise needs, ensuring genuine local ownership.
- Develop Strategy – Build a plan that integrates ISV’s Three Pillars: electricity, education, and enterprise.
- Complete Application – Submit a detailed online proposal with budget, milestones, and community engagement evidence.
- Start Fundraising – Secure preliminary approval and explore co‑funding opportunities to strengthen your project.
- Approval & Agreement – Gain Project Development Committee (PDC) and leadership approval, then sign a bilateral Project Service Agreement (PSA).
- Deployment & Reporting – Receive milestone‑based funding (USD 25,000–200,000) and submit progress reports to ensure accountability.
- Ongoing Support – Join the ISV global network for mentoring, shared resources, and collaboration across regions.
- At least 75% of ISV funds must go to income‑generating infrastructure.
- At least 50% of capital expenses must be electricity‑based systems.
- Education/training must directly support income‑generating infrastructure.
- Technology must be proven and market‑ready (no R&D or pilot testing).
- Projects must show community ownership, upstream supplier access, and downstream market integration.
- Vision for scale: serving one million people within 5–10 years.
To get started, explore our current projects, attend the IEEE PES PowerAfrica Conference, and join our training sessions.
Let’s Electrify Ideas with Electricity, Education, & Enterprise