Ecobricks for building safe, resilient and affordable housing

Challenge

Nepal is a major seismic zone, frequently prone to deadly earthquakes. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a recession in the construction industry, weakening micro-businesses in this sector. What’s more, in Nepal, the production of fired bricks is responsible for 37% of CO2 emissions, which are known to contribute to global warming. This production is also harmful to air quality and contaminates the Himalayan glaciers.

Innovative solution

The partners propose to develop an innovative ecological brick technology with low production costs, using local soil and sand as base materials. No combustion or fuel is required. The technology developed will also make buildings more resistant to earthquakes. The partners aim to train micro-entrepreneurs in the construction industry in the production of these eco-bricks, while at the same time enhancing their skills in business management and commercial strategy.

Impact

• Strengthening of 75 commercially viable and more resilient micro-enterprises, enabling the creation of 600 skilled jobs
• Building 1,000 safer, more resilient, affordable and climate-friendly houses for the most vulnerable households
• Reduction in CO2 emissions (9,500 tons in 2 years)

Photo credit: Fair Enterprise Network