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.
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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.
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.
Recognition for our impact
Chronicle
From 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 in 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
Second location opened
The second ADES location in Madagascar is opened in Ejeda. ADES officially begins financing 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.
From 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 announced: "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."
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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 celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2021. This was also the year in which Regula dedicated herself to new endeavors and handed over the presidency to Herbert Blaser. Due to the ongoing restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, celebrations had to be largely cancelled.
2021
org. Award for ADES
This autumn, ADES will celebrate its 20th anniversary with three public events. 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.
From 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 exceeded 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 was presented to Luc Estapé at the Advantage Austria offices in Zurich. Regarding the award, he said: "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 – cookstoves, education, and reforestation – and thus make a significant impact."
2025
Local Leadership
Maryn Mohn Drouet will be 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."
