Mr Manish Kumar Pandey is the National Coordinator for the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP), bringing over 18 years of experience in sustainable energy, rural development, community empowerment, and stakeholder engagement. His core areas of expertise include off-grid rural electrification, distributed renewable energy for livelihood enhancement, clean cooking solutions, sustainable livelihoods, and community-based development.
Previously, Mr Pandey played a pivotal role in implementing TERI’s flagship Lighting a Billion Lives (LaBL) programme, which promoted solar lighting as a clean alternative to kerosene in energy-deficient communities across India and Africa. His responsibilities spanned partnership development with state governments, rigorous project planning and coordination, and the capacity building of local stakeholders.
In his current role as National Coordinator of SGP India, he leads the implementation of community-led initiatives focused on biodiversity conservation, the restoration of marine ecosystems, climate change mitigation, sustainable land management, and broader environmental sustainability. He also facilitates critical operational and policy linkages among civil society organizations, grassroots community groups, and institutional stakeholders.
In recognition of his contributions to the energy sector, Mr Pandey was selected for the Future Energy Leadership Programme of the World Energy Council and represented India at the World Energy Congress in Daegu, Republic of Korea, in 2014. He has also authored numerous publications and knowledge products centered on renewable energy and rural empowerment.
Email: manish.pandey@teri.res.in