this includes for instance introduction of improved woodstoves development of managed woodlots and forests for fuelwood and other community needs promotion of biogas solar wind and other renewable technologies offgrid rural electrification based on renewable electricity introduction of efficient technologies such as compact fluorescents and development of low carbon clean development mechanism cdm projects in many sectors nonetheless a number of general observations may have broad applicability in the case of individuals the difficult economic situation in many countries limited access to information limited access to resources and low awareness of environmental issues related to the energy sector all serve to disempower and limit capacity and the most vulnerable members of the community will typically be the most disempowered in some countries with a strong tradition of participation and involvement ngos are key contributors to policy and program development in the country in other countries the role of civil society organisations is severely constrained