Regenfi.tech is proud to collaborate with Udaipur Urja Initiatives (UUI) in deploying our CONNECT and TRACE apps for Distribution, and Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) in their community-driven projects. UUI, a community-owned social enterprise based in the cultural hub of Udaipur, Rajasthan, is committed to empowering marginalized communities. Since its inception, UUI has championed women-led initiatives, improving the lives of over 60,000 rural families through clean energy access, sustainable agriculture, financial resilience, emission mitigation, and community asset development.
Navigating the unique challenges of implementing an MRV system that aligns with UUI’s ethos has been both fascinating and rewarding. UUI is deeply rooted in community upliftment and empowerment, actively involving over 400 rural women in its projects. These women, coming from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, are central to UUI’s mission and stand to gain significantly from their participation.
1. Tech Familiarity & Digital Literacy
The introduction of mobile-based MRV systems, particularly in rural contexts, presented unique challenges. Many of the rural women involved in UUI’s initiatives were not tech-savvy, often preferring traditional paper-based surveys. The unfamiliarity with technology and the unreliable internet connectivity in these regions contributed to this hesitancy. In some cases, users needed help with basic functions such as password resets, despite the app providing this feature.
2. Sparse Population Distribution
Monitoring across UUI’s project areas also posed geographic challenges. Villages were often located several kilometers apart, requiring monitors to travel on foot or two-wheelers across difficult terrain and in harsh weather conditions. It was essential for the CONNECT and TRACE apps to remain reliable under these conditions to ensure users maintained their trust in the system.
3. Offline Functionality & Communication
Given the erratic internet connectivity in rural areas, the apps needed to function both online and offline. Communicating updates or resolving issues could be slow, as information passed through several layers—from community monitors to project managers. Ensuring effective communication across this chain was critical for project success.
To address these challenges, Regenfi.tech, in collaboration with UUI, provided extensive training and support for the community monitors. Audio-visual aids were used to simplify technical concepts, enhancing digital literacy and enabling quicker adoption of the technology. These regular training sessions, led by local coordinators, allowed users to voice concerns and ensure project priorities remained aligned.
Through our journey with UUI, we also learned the importance of designing for user needs, not over-engineering solutions. Features co-developed with the best intentions often went underutilized because they did not align with the practical realities of rural monitoring. The app’s were refined to remain simple, intuitive, and accessible for the ground-level teams.
At Regenfi.tech, we believe technology must be inclusive, particularly when used to empower rural communities. By addressing challenges like tech illiteracy, sparse population, and unreliable internet, our app’s have supported distribution and monitoring for multiple climate action projects operated by UUI.