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Discover the stories and people behind ADES. Newsroom Subscribe to our Vaovao newsletter and don't miss any updates from ADES. Subscribe to our newsletter «Vaovao» and never miss an update. Email* I agree to the Privacy Policy . Subscribe CONTACT Te hitsidika an’i ADES Madagasikara ve ianao ? Tsidiho eto ny pejintsika manokana. Apply #M100 #Mahamasina #Video Impactful Giving Read more Apply #M100 A smarter solution for the kiln Read more Apply #FacesOfADES #Ella Faces of ADES: Ella Read more Apply #EnergyGlobeAward Energy Globe Award Read more Apply #FacesOfADES #USA #JoshMartin Faces of ADES: Josh Read more Apply #M300 #TAPIA Reforestation: TAPIA x ADES Read more First Prev 1 Page 1 Next Last They speak about us read the article Apply La RTS visite ADES sur le site de Toliara. Radio Télévision Suisse read the article Apply ADES à l'honneur dans la Gazette du Cicle Nº1 La Gazette du Cicle read the article Apply NZZ: Der Sparkocher, der Madagaskar verändert NZZ / David Vonplon read the article Apply Impact+ ein sinnvolles Investment mit Wirkung Erfahren Sie mehr über Möglichkeiten mit Impact+ Vorheriger Artikel Weitere Artikel News Humour, even when there’s nothing to laugh about Our new 2025–2026 corporate film starring Lahatra. MORE VIDEOS

A Swiss NPO established in Madagascar We are ADES OUR TEAM Vision ADES is committed to a Madagascar where people and nature can live together in resilient, regenerative systems. We believe that sustainable development can only succeed if ecological stability, economic prospects, and social participation are strengthened together. Therefore, we combine climate- and environmentally friendly energy solutions, education, local value creation, and reforestation into integrated approaches that have a long-term impact. Together with local communities, we create solutions that protect forests, improve livelihoods and enable a sustainable future for the next generations. Mission ADES aims to achieve this vision by improving the living conditions of the population alongside protecting forests. With our three-pillar approach, we provide as many people as possible with access to energy-efficient cooking, educate people, especially children, about environmental issues, and reforest or protect existing forests. In doing so, we focus on underrepresented groups in society and promote their participation in the economic value creation process. Impact ADES combines climate, environmental and development work to create integrated solutions with long-term impact for people, nature and the local economy in Madagascar. Our approach strengthens climate-resilient communities, reduces pressure on forests, creates economic opportunities and promotes sustainable development through locally rooted and measurable solutions. Corporate Film ADES 2025-2026 Statistics never tell the whole story. Madagascar's unique natural environment is seriously threatened. This film shifts the perspective: a voice from everyday life takes center stage. Lahatra speaks about the reality many communities in Madagascar face and how ADES is responding with three concrete pillars. MORE VIDEOS ADES #25taona ADES celebrates 25 years on the big island Maryn Mohn-Drouet, CEO of ADES Madagascar: “For me, ADES is a perfect example of a resilient organization committed to long-term social and environmental development in Madagascar. I see a radiant expression of pride in the eyes of our teams, our partners, and the communities we work with.” Follow us on our platforms and celebrate with us! Chronicle of a club 25 years of impact and history of ADES ADES founder Regula Ochsner worked as a development aid worker in Toliara in southern Madagascar from 1972 to 1975. When she visited the country with her mother Ruth Ochsner in 1998, she was dismayed by the rapidly progressing deforestation. Regula and Ruth Ochsner decided to do everything in their power to preserve the forest in Madagascar. DISCOVER Recognition for our impact Chronicle 2001-2011 2001 Founding On March 23, 2001, the association ADES (Association pour le Développement de l'Energie Solaire Suisse – Madagascar) was founded in Ottenbach, Zurich. Regula Ochsner was elected president. The goal: to protect the forests of Madagascar. 2003 First 500 improved cookstoves sold. Despite the sales success, the financial situation is worrying, writes Regula Ochsner in her fundraising appeal, which proved to be successful. 2006 Opening of a Second Location ADES's second site in Madagascar opens in Ejeda. Moreover, ADES begins officially funding reforestation projects 2007 First awards and recognition The highlights of the year include two award ceremonies: In February, Regula receives the international environmental prize "Trophée des femmes" from the environmental foundation "Fondation Yves Rocher" and in autumn she is awarded the Swiss Solar Prize 2007 in the category of persons/institutions. 2009 Gold Standard First Gold Standard certification. 2011-2021 2011 ADES anniversary ADES has been making a lasting impact in Madagascar for 10 years. ADES continues to grow and is opening a fifth ADES center: "While our activities were previously limited to the south and southwest of the island, with the Mahajanga location, the country's third largest city, we are now extending them to the northwest," the annual report states. 2013 New workshop in Fianarantsoa Production in Fianarantsoa is now fully operational. Knowledge transfer is also underway: 37 employees have been trained by Hans Peter Frei. 2016 100,000 cookstoves for the "Big Island" On January 25th, the local management announces: "It is with great pleasure that I inform you all that we have today crossed the threshold of a total of 100,000 solar and cookstoves sold." ADES reports in Bulletin 2016-1 that the association covers eleven of the seventeen SDGs. These are global goals for sustainable development – Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – which the heads of state of 193 UN member states agreed upon at the end of 2015 and which they aim to achieve by 2030. 2021 20 years of ADES For many years, Regula Ochsner dedicated herself to the environment and the people of Madagascar. Thanks to her initiative and perseverance, ADES celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2021. It is also the year in which Regula dedicates herself to new endeavors and hands over the presidency to Herbert Blaser. Due to the restrictions still in place in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, most celebrations must be canceled. 2021 org. Award for ADES This fall, ADES is celebrating its 20th anniversary with three events open to the public. There is also cause for celebration: winning the «.Org Impact Award» – ADES was chosen as «Organization of the Year 2021» from over 600 other organizations. 2021-2026 2022 New partnerships promote reforestation ADES expands its reforestation programmes and invests in agroforestry and sustainable forest management. 2023 For the next generation Our environmental education projects demonstrate how realistic goals can lead to measurable impact: 279 schools, over 1,000 teachers and almost 10,000 children reached in Madagascar. 2024 Record production For the first time in the history of the NPO, ADES exceedes the mark of 100,000 solar and improved cookstoves sold in a financial year 2025 Energy Globe Award for ADES On February 11th, the Energy Globe Award Madagascar is presented to Luc Estapé at the Advantage Austria offices in Zurich. Regarding the award, he says: "This award recognizes the achievements of our employees and partners in Madagascar! They manage, often under adverse conditions, to continuously optimize the three pillars of our activities – Clean Cooking, Environmental Education, and reforestation – and thus make a significant impact." 2025 Local Leadership Maryn Mohn Drouet becomes the new director of ADES Madagascar. She says: "Over the past 25 years, we have seen that simple, locally developed solutions can have a great impact when they are truly tailored to the needs of the communities."

A Swiss NPO active in Madagascar Projects OUR TEAM Our core projects ADES works with a Results Framework that enables effective implementation and measurable impact. For its climate protection measures, ADES is Gold Standard certified. For 25 years, ADES has been making a significant impact in Madagascar: ADES is one of the organisations with the most significant and long-term impact on the island. Apply M100 Solar and energy-saving cookstoves The M100 project improves access to clean cooking . Energy-saving cookstoves significantly reduce fuel consumption, costs and smoke emissions, thereby sustainably improving the living conditions of users. Explore Apply M232 Environmental education The M232 project combines environmental education with practical application in everyday life. It teaches children concrete ways to take action, thereby promoting a sustainable and responsible approach to natural resources. Explore Apply M233 Empowerment The M233 project “Empowerment ”: supporting resellers on their path to self-employment strengthens ADES’s distribution network in Madagascar and promotes economic independence, particularly for women. Explore Apply M240 Modular Institutional Kitchens The use of energy-efficient cooking appliances has significantly reduced fuel consumption, operating costs, and smoke emissions. Consequently, the installation of these kitchens has a direct impact on the health of cooks, costs, and the environment. Explore Apply M300 Reforestation The reforestation project promotes sustainable reforestation in particularly affected regions of Madagascar. It strengthens local livelihoods and contributes to the long-term protection and restoration of forests. Explore Apply M570 Village+ With Village+, ADES brings together over 25 years of experience in an integrated village development model. The project combines clean cooking, reforestation, environmental education, school kitchens and local entrepreneurship into a holistic approach. Explore Any questions ? Rita Bachmann is your contact for questions regarding project funding and partnerships. rita.bachmann(at)ades-solaire.org +41 44 466 60 52 Support our projects Join us in protecting forests, promoting education and strengthening clean cooking solutions – support our local projects. Donate Newsroom Discover the stories and people behind ADES. One click, and you're at the heart of our impact. NEWSROOM Subscribe to our newsletter «Vaovao» and never miss an update. Email* I agree to the Privacy Policy . Subscribe

Project M240 Modular institutional kitchens Improved conditions for children and cooks ALL PROJECTS 01 Context Many schools in Madagascar still cook over open fires, often in dark kitchens without windows or proper ventilation. Smoke exposure poses serious health risks for cooks, while excessive firewood consumption contributes to deforestation. At the same time, schools often lack the resources needed to invest in modern kitchen infrastructure. ADES addresses this challenge by building robust, modular school kitchens that require significantly less fuel, are easy to operate and maintain, and are developed in close collaboration with schools and local communities. 02 Executive Summary The M240 project improves cooking infrastructure in schools across Madagascar through the construction of 15 modular institutional kitchens each year. It enables more than 2,700 children to receive warm and nutritious meals in a hygienic, efficient and resource-saving environment. The kitchens reduce firewood consumption by up to 80%, save several hours of cooking time each day and protect the health of cooks by providing smoke-free working conditions. The project combines infrastructure, training and monitoring with strong local ownership and contributions. 03 Outcomes The M240 project sustainably improves school kitchen infrastructure across Madagascar. Schoolchildren benefit from daily warm and nutritious meals, while cooks work in significantly safer and healthier conditions, with less smoke exposure, reduced firewood consumption and lower physical strain. The modular institutional kitchens drastically reduce fuel consumption and energy costs. This creates additional financial resources that schools can invest in improved nutrition, school gardens or educational activities. At the same time, the project strengthens local ownership and long-term resilience. The kitchens are planned together with schools, produced locally and supported through training, maintenance and monitoring, ensuring sustainable use even in remote regions of Madagascar. Timeline The project runs from August 2025 to July 2028 and forms part of a longer-term commitment extending to 2030. Its objective is the nationwide expansion of modular institutional kitchens in schools through a locally rooted implementation approach. Support us Launch 2020 Pilot-Project First three school kitchens built in partnership with Bel Avenir First impact data collected Monitoring system established Milestone 1 2021-2025 Implementation 43 kitchens built Initial assessments conducted on smoke exposure, firewood consumption, costs and time savings Milestone 2 2026-2029 Consolidation 80 new kitchens by 2029 Technical specifications developed Standardisation of components Enhanced monitoring Scaling 2030 Outlook Nationally established model Collaboration with government stakeholders and potential scaling with international partners Local production and maintenance partners Project M240 Voices from the project « Thanks to our collaboration with ADES, we now have an institutional kitchen and have completed a five-day training course on its use. We have experienced many benefits, including environmental protection, significant savings in firewood consumption and shorter cooking times. The kitchen produces very little smoke, which protects both the health of the cooks and the environment. For me, this kitchen has brought nothing but improvements to our daily work, even though good organisation remains important for its effective use. » Herimiampita Fenohery, educator at the CERES boys’ boarding school in Andranomiadiloha (Fianarantsoa) ALL PROJECTS Any questions ? Rita Bachmann is your contact for questions regarding project funding and partnerships. rita.bachmann(at)ades-solaire.org +41 44 466 60 52 Support our projects Join us in protecting forests, promoting education and strengthening clean cooking solutions – support our local projects. Donate Insights