This July, sixteen past Ashden award-winners came together to launch the Ashden India Collective. The idea developed after the conference last February 'Building a Sustainable Energy Future for India' hosted with the Confederation of Indian Industries and the Department for International Development. The group will draw on their experience to develop policy recommendations for the government to widen the use of decentralised renewable energy.

A workshop, 'Scaling up off-grid renewables', also took place at the same event. Jointly hosted by the Ashden Awards and the DFID, this session drew together policy makers, financial institutions, NGOs and donor organisations to explore new initiatives to stimulate renewable energy in India. Outcomes from this event will inform the focus and plan for the Ashden India Collective over the coming year.