We stand at a critical juncture, where access to clean energy determines whether or not children go to school, women are freed from menial labour, farmers improve their productivity or communities have access to information.

As part of UNCDF's global CleanStart programme, CleanStart Connections examines how people access and use energy and what is being done to offer better solutions, with this first edition focusing on Nepal and Uganda.

It profiles entrepreneurs, technology experts and policy-makers on the front line, while giving a voice to the people whose lives have been transformed as a result.

CleanStart Connections highlights the latest developments in energy-finance markets that serve low-income households and micro-entrepreneurs, while providing a platform for reflection, new ideas and partnership opportunities.

Consistent with the CleanStart vision, this new magazine showcases real and exciting examples of how energy and financial service providers are working together making energy markets work for the poor.

We invite you along and look forward to making CleanStart Connections your magazine.

The CleanStart Team You can contact us at hee.sung.kim@uncdf.org
Follow us on Twitter #cleanstart
Visit us at www.uncdf.org/en/cleanstart