The goal of the National Network on Improved Cookstove Program in Bangladesh is to make the ICS Network efficient and effective in Bangladesh, and to promote the ICS activities to improve the health of the cookstove users especially mothers and children and to prevent ecological degradation through popularization of improved cookstoves.

Program Summary
1. Name of the Project: National Network on Improved Cookstoves Program in Bangladesh
Name of the Donor: Asia regional Cookstove Program (ARECOP)- Indonesia
VERC has been working in ICS project since 1987. It formed ICS network in 2000 with the support of ARECOP–Indonesia. Phase-II started in August 2000 and ended February 2004 and phase-III started from March 2004 and will end December 2007. The network involves 84 NGOs working over 28 districts in the country and has a committee headed by VERC.
The main focus of the project is to build up capacity of the network organizations as well as community people and popularize ICS through different meeting, seminar, workshop, film show etc. IEC materials such as poster, leaflet, magazines and video film are developed and distributed among the stakeholders. Research on improved cookstove and health is also carried out. Seed money is awarded to support the extension of ICS activities in new areas and to encourage innovation for new sustainable approaches.
In addition to that, VERC is also implementing “A Pilot Project on Methodology for Participatory Assessment on Cookstove Program” with the support of ARECOP – Indonesia. Unnayan Dhara, IDEA and SDE are jointly implementing the above mentioned project in four different areas in Savar, Jhenaidah and Sylhet
VERC has been implementing the project titled “Reduction of Exposure to Indoor Air Pollution through Household Energy and Behavioral Improvement” with the financial support of Winrock International since August 2005 in two municipalities-Saidpur and Parbatipur-located in the Rajshahi division in north-west Bangladesh. The overall goal of the project is to develop and demonstrate a household energy intervention model that integrates health and energy aspects, and leads to alleviation of indoor air pollution and improved energy efficiency.

Major Achievements:
National Seminar:

A National Seminar on Impact of Indoor Air Pollution on Child and Mother Health was organized at the VERC Training Complex, B-30 Ekhlas Uddin Road, Anandapur, Savar, Dhaka on 15 December 2005. A total of 65 participants from local, national and international NGOs and Govt. officials attended the seminar. Md. Yakub Hossian, Deputy Executive Director of VERC, chaired the seminar. Dr. Rokeya Akter Khanum, PD, IFRD was present as Chief Guest while Dr.M.Khalequzzaman, Energy consultant, GTZ was present as special guest. Mrs. Nurun Naher Begum, Senior Scientific Officer of Institute of Fuel Research and Development (IFRD) presented the keynote paper entitled “Impact of Indoor Air Pollution on Child and Mother Health”.

Network Meeting:
1. A Meeting of the National Network on Improved Cookstove Program was held on 15 December 2005 at VERC Training Complex, B-30 Ekhlas Uddin Road, Anandapur, Savar, Dhaka. A total of 58 representatives from local, national and international NGOs, different Govt. officials and interested individuals attended the meeting. Shaikh A. Halim, Executive Director of VERC, chaired the meeting.
2. Two Executive Committee Meetings were held on 8 July 2006 & 23 October 2005 at the VERC Training Complex, B-30 Ekhlas Uddin Road, Anandapur, Savar, Dhaka. The total numbers of participant’s were 14 & 17 respectively and the purpose of the meeting is to strengthen the network activities and to better achievement of program.

Training of Trainers on ICS Technology:
A TOT on Kitchen Improvement was organized during 27-31 December 2005 at VERC Training Complex. Total participants of the training were 25 (12 male and 13 female) and the training course facilitated by Mr. Masud Hassan, Associate Coordinator, Monitoring, WatSan & Technology, VERC and Dr. Sanwar Hossain Khan, Consultant, VERC Mother & Child Hospital.
2. A Refreshers Training on ICS Technology was also organized during 20-22 December 2005 at VERC Training Complex. 25 participants were participated in the training and the training course facilitated by Md. Amirul Islam, APC of VERC, Ms. Mahfuza Khanam, PSO, IFRD & Aryanto Sudjarwo, ARECOP.

3. Training on Entrepreneurship Development for Entrepreneurs was organized at VERC, Saidpur during 28 Mach – 01 April 2006. A total of 18 (4 M, 14F) participants participated in the training. Mr. R.P Saha, Coordination of Research and Evaluation Section, VERC and Mr. Khondakar Faisal, Trainer, FSVGD Project facilitated the training courses.

Training of Trainers on Methodology for Participatory Assessment (MPA):
An orientation on MPA was or was organized at VERC Training Complex from 27 Feb’06 - 07 March ’06. A total of 11 participants from different organizations attended the training. Mr. Subash Chandra Saha, Coordinator, Training & Communication Section of Training Section and Mr. Faijullah, ED of SDE facilitated the training .

Small Initiative Fund/ Seed Money:
Small initiative fund was awarded to potential NGOs to support them in their unique ideas for extension of ICS activities in areas where there is no ICS intervention or to promote new sustainable approaches. The following NGOs were the recipient of fund.
1. SPMP-Rajbari
2. Prantic-Mymensigh
3. WDP-Gaibadha
4. SOVA-Boghra
5. PGS-Jessore
6. OPCA-Chittagonj
7. ABAS-Barisal

In addition, there are some significant achievements of the network:
* 292 staff and community people were oriented on ICS technology.
* 858 catalysts were developed
* 535 orientation courses on ICS technology were organized
* 1000 Film Shows were organized
* 14 seminar and workshop were arranged at the community level
* 07 demonstration centers were established
* IEC materials such as poster, leaflet, magazines and video CD on Improved Cookstove have been developed and distributed among the stakeholders
* Executive Committee Meeting, Sharing Meeting, Community Meeting were organized
* 12454 improved cookstoves were installed
* 10 kitchens were developed
<font size=3 color="#FF66FF">Innovation:</font>
Sommilito Promila Mohila Parishad (SPMP), a network partner of VERC-ICS Network program has been implementing the ICS program in Rajbari district. A local potter in the project area was innovated one kind of special chimney made by clay. The chimney is fit with the ICS to make the kitchen free from smoke.
<font size=3 color="#FF66FF">Baseline PRA</font>
At the beginning of the Reduction of Exposure to Indoor Air Pollution through Household Energy and Behavioral Improvement project a Participatory Baseline Study on Household Energy use and cooking practices conducted in 5 Wards of Saidpur & Parbatipur during 1-15 February 2006. The baseline PRA conducted by Mr. Abu Naser, Consultant, PPS – Bangladesh & Mr. Subash Chandra Saha, Coordinator, Training & Communication Section of VERC. The objectives of the baseline PRA is to,
• Assess the present status of stove and fuel use in the household and find out the alternative and available technologies and accessibilities and affordability of HH
• Review the status of knowledge and practice of the HH in the use of energy and stoves and its possible impact on the economy, environment and health
• Appraise the business and entrepreneurship development opportunities related to Cookstove
• Examine the involvement of the concern government department/institution in dealing with the matter
After completion of the PRA, a qualitative report has prepared and forwarded to concern authorities.

SUCCESS
Mamudpur villages of Saghata upazila under Gaibandha district has declared as 100% ICS Coverage Village on 7 May 2006. In can be mentioned here that a Network Partner of VERC named Women Development Program (WDP) has been implementing the ICS program in this area with the financial and technical help of VERC.