In the global effort to address climate change, economic disparity, and development goals, a critical lesson has emerged: a top-down technology focussed flow of aid is not a sustainable solution. Simply "giving" equipment and software to communities, or constructing facilities for them, often fails to address the root causes of underdevelopment. Without the local capacity to install, operate, maintain, and innovate, these resources typically become obsolete once the doner has left, creating a cycle of aid dependency. The true path to a resilient future lies in empowering people with the knowledge and skills to competently use and look after the donated resources, and, ultimately, create their own.
This is the foundational principle behind the work of the Clean Cooling Network’s Clean Cooling Academy. Our mission is to move beyond the traditional aid model by focusing on comprehensive, hands-on training that empowers individuals and strengthens communities. The challenge of providing access to sustainable cooling and cold-chains, a necessity for food security, healthcare, thermal comfort, and adapting to rising temperatures, goes beyond technical solutions; it also requires social and human needs to be addressed. Critically, it demands a skilled workforce capable of deploying and maintaining clean cooling solutions that are fit-for-purpose and built to last.
To help ensure effective deployment, it is crucial that all stakeholders in food and pharmaceutical cold-chains understand the specific requirements of the products that pass through them. For example, chilling must be controlled to ensure overcooling does not occur, as this can lead to postharvest disorders and associated losses, quality and safety issues for perishable food produce, as well as unnecessary energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. By aligning technical solutions with real-world needs, we can ensure efficiency, safety, and sustainability across the value chain.
In 2025 we have significantly expanded our diverse range of training provision to number over 50 offerings developed by subject matter experts and in collaboration with industry. From the fundamentals of refrigeration to the design and installation of solar-powered cooling systems, each course is designed to equip students with practical, in-demand skills. This approach ensures that when a new cold storage facility is built or a cooling system deployed, there is a local network of trained professionals ready to provide support. Importantly, it fosters self-sufficiency and transforms passive recipients of aid into active participants in their own development.
Furthermore, our training is delivered with a strong focus on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI). We recognise that for true empowerment to take place, opportunities must be accessible to all. We actively work to break down barriers to participation, ensuring that women and young people are not only welcome but actively encouraged to enter the clean cooling sector.
This commitment is not just about fairness; it is about maximising potential. By tapping into the full talent pool of a community, we ensure that our work creates more resilient, equitable, and effective outcomes. Our approach also extends to student selection. This year alone we received nearly 2,500 applications to attend our courses, a testament to the interest our offer is having in Rwanda and beyond. From these applications we were able to train a 2025 cohort of 702 participants, a significant achievement in these early stages of our roll-out and a strong foundation from which to grow future cohorts.
The journey towards a clean and cool future in Africa and the Global South more broadly depends on building local expertise and leadership capacity. Through the Clean Cooling Academy, we provide advanced, comprehensive training that combines technical mastery with practical business and operational skills. Our programmes equip innovators, academics, technicians, entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders with the knowledge to design, implement, and scale sustainable cooling solutions that address real community and industry needs.
By fostering both technical proficiency and business capability, we enable communities to create resilient companies, generate income and local employment, and drive sustainable development that delivers financial well-being and economic growth. In doing so, we aim to support a generation of professionals capable of advancing clean cooling solutions that are economically viable, socially inclusive, and environmentally responsible. 2026 promises to be a key year in which we take a big step towards making that goal a reality.
Dr Natalia Falagan is Senior Lecturer in Food Science and Technology at Cranfield University, Senior Advisor, ACES