Alliance for Empowering Rural Communities (AERC)
Alliance for Empowering Rural Communities (AERC) is a legally registered, youth-led, community-driven nonprofit based in Ghana, Africa. We work at the intersection of environment, climate, and energy justice, empowering rural and marginalized communities to lead in shaping climate and development solutions.
How We Work
Our work drives climate resilience and a just energy transition by empowering communities to act on the frontlines of change. In Environment & Climate, we advance community-led adaptation, restore ecosystems through nature-based solutions, and promote sustainable urban and rural infrastructure that withstands climate shocks. In Energy Transition, we challenge fossil fuel finance, advocate for the responsible extraction of critical raw materials, and expand access to affordable, renewable energy.
Through training, policy advocacy, research, and grassroots partnerships, we not only equip communities with the skills and tools to adapt but also amplify their voices in decision-making spaces. As a result, rural and marginalized communities are building resilience, safeguarding their environment, and shaping a future that is just, sustainable, and led by the people most impacted by climate change.
Our Focus Areas and Strategic Pillars
At AERC, our work is built around two interconnected focus areas: Environment & Climate and Energy Transition, each guided by strategic pillars that shape our programs, partnerships, and advocacy. Together, they reflect our commitment to climate justice, community empowerment, and sustainable development.
We believe lasting climate solutions must be owned and led by the communities they serve. We strengthen local leadership, build adaptive capacity, and ensure grassroots knowledge informs policy and practice. From training climate champions to supporting community-driven projects, we help people take charge of their resilience journey.
Healthy ecosystems are the foundation of climate resilience. We restore degraded lands, preserve biodiversity, and promote adaptation strategies rooted in nature. By protecting forests, wetlands, and mangroves, we strengthen natural defenses against climate impacts while creating livelihood opportunities for local communities.
We promote inclusive, climate-resilient infrastructure that safeguards lives and livelihoods while supporting sustainable growth. This includes urban planning with green spaces, sustainable transport, and adaptive designs that protect vulnerable communities.
Plastic pollution and poor waste management threaten both people and ecosystems. We reduce plastic use, promote sustainable consumption, and advocate for producer responsibility. Through education, clean-ups, waste segregation, and circular economy initiatives, we turn waste into resources, protect ecosystems, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy Transition
We advance an equitable shift from fossil fuels to clean, people-centered energy systems that work for all.
We push for public and private investments to move away from fossil fuels toward sustainable and just alternatives. By tracking and challenging harmful energy financing, we accelerate the shift to a low-carbon future.
The green transition relies on critical minerals, but extraction must not harm communities or the environment. We promote transparent, fair, and sustainable sourcing practices, ensuring benefits for local people and safeguarding ecosystems through responsible governance.
Clean, affordable, and reliable energy is essential for poverty reduction and equitable development. We champion decentralized renewable energy systems that power homes, schools, and businesses, reducing fossil fuel dependence while creating economic opportunities in rural areas.
Vision
Empowered communities with enhanced capacities to address challenges and achieve self-reliance.
Mission
To empower local communities to build resilience to global crises and adapt local actions for sustainable development.
