The populations of remote rural villages in Tajikistan, particularly the Yagnob valley, are vulnerable to energy poverty. Poor infrastructure and limited access to basic services negatively affect the livelihoods of populations in these regions and hamper development. Additionally, extreme weather conditions contribute to transport isolation of villages during the winter. In addition to a shortage of biomass for cooking and heating, mountain villages in Yagnob lack access to the central grid, leading to energy problems. Rural residents rely heavily on firewood and shrubs, contributing to unsustainable forest cutting, which in turn leads to ecosystem destruction, soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and increased natural disasters. Climate change further exacerbates these challenges.

Women and children are disproportionately affected by energy poverty, as they often spend extensive time collecting and harvesting firewood, depriving them of educational opportunities and employment prospects. Women shoulder the majority of household responsibilities and manage daily natural resource usage. Yet, they have significantly less access than men to the assets and services that would enable them to increase their productivity. Women are also underrepresented in natural resource management committees and user groups. Many women lack essential information and awareness about their rights, opportunities, and the crucial roles they can fulfill in advancing community development.

Since 2023, the collaboration receives its funding from SIDA through ForumCiv's Large Partnership Funding program.