SEED’s approach is special because it is:

• fact-based: Reliable and recent data is often not available in developing countries. The SEED team thus collects the required data to assess the current energy situation in the chosen informal settlements.
• participatory: The SEED team works very closely with the addressed population as well as local institutions to jointly define which features and technical possibilities an Energy-Hub should have in this special context of informal settlements. This is implemented through participatory-action workshops with the representatives of the local communities and additional local actors.
• needs-based: The conceptual and technical development of the Energy-Hub is based on the locally assessed needs of the local population. These energy-related needs will be the basis for technical planning and design.
• educative: In the open space underneath the solar system of the SEED Energy-Hub, workshops on critical aspects such as the advantages of renewable energies and training sessions to foster economic activities in the informal settlements will take place.
• creative: The SEED Energy-Hub is supposed to also offer an open space for creativity that can be used by the community. This is already being implemented in the concept development phase, in which the project team is using creative formats to realize the knowledge generation and to also define the architectural design of the Energy-Hub.