IGNIS Project

IGNIS Project Background

IGNIS shows holistic project goals and a thematic approach which was as far as known not yet subject of research projects. Medina (1997) [1] and other sources (Furedy C., Bartone C.R., the Megacities programme, etc), give an overview on waste projects and programmes and also on income generation through waste. However, many projects could not support themselves or expand further, so that the waste situation itself, and the social, economical and health situation of the scavengers is still an unsolved and urgent problem. Waste management is not glamorous, but without it, every city would cease to exist [2]. The ultimate picture might be an integrated waste management system created by combining the knowledge of various parties in the cities: the waste pickers, small recycling enterprises and municipal services under the city council's guidance.
Composting training with youth groups		Capability and capacity building are the key challenges the IGNIS project faces. At the end of the project duration there should be well established both the technical know-how and the organisation methods to valorise MSW for income generation. For this, the pilot projects will continuously improve the actual knowledge in waste management, the training centre will provide skilled "waste workers" for moving into other or new parts of the city (country) to establish their own small and micro enterprises and the competence centre will disseminate the results and experiences world-wide among interested third parties from cities and countries.
		[1] Martin Medina (1997): Informal collection and recycling        of solid wastes in developing countries [2] http://www.waste.nl/embullen/embul_02.htm
		The idea The idea for the IGNIS project grew during a three month workshop for African waste managers, sponsored as a further education measure by EZ ( Entwicklungs-zusammenarbeit, Germany ). [read more]
		Background For many fast growing cities in Africa such as Addis Ababa, dealing with the environmental costs of rapid growth and urbanization represents a phenomenal challenge. This is particularly true in the area of solid waste management. In particular, the inadequacy of solid waste management is exacerbated in slums. Lack of the most basic solid waste services in crowded, low-income neighbours is a major contributor to the high morbidity and mortality because of pests transmitting heavy diseases. A step towards improved waste management is forcing adapted waste treatment and recycling with view of income generation.   [read more]
		Objectives This action-oriented research project aims to making use of the value of waste for sustainable income generation. This will include developing adapted technologies, strengthening social status of waste workers, health and safety aspects, environmentally sound waste treatment and economically workable concepts (e.g. local markets, market studies).   [read more]
		Work Pogram Main target of the Pre-phase is to establish a consortium of project partners to work out the project proposal according to the given guidelines of the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research. For this, general comprehensive tasks must be defined and filled into a work program.   [read more]
		Project Organisation The project will be organised in a way that the NGOs being experienced in development cooperation (AT-Verband, ENDA) are carrying out the co-ordination and organisation activities. The Universitaet Stuttgart-ISWA is in charge of the scientific co-ordination and therefore responsible for the scientific quality assurance.   [read more]