Building local capacity for sustainable cooling and energy in African healthcare.
About SophiA Bridge
SophiA Bridge builds on the achievements of the EU-funded SophiA project. It aims to strengthen local technical capacity, keep the SophiA living labs running over the long term and foster sustainable, locally driven solutions for healthcare facilities across Africa.
The project is coordinated by OST – Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences and supported by Fourfold.
SophiA team meeting at Chillventa
Our approach
Capacity building. We give African technicians hands-on experience with integrated sustainable technologies for solar energy, cooling, clean water and cooking. The goal is for them to operate, maintain and further develop these solutions themselves.
Living labs as lasting hubs. We want the SophiA living labs to become permanent centres for innovation, knowledge transfer and sustainable development, run by and for local professionals.
Connecting local expertise with international innovation. We put skilled local professionals in direct contact with the technologies, tools and people shaping the cooling sector. The aim is to open doors to partnerships, training and business opportunities.
“At the heart of SophiA Bridge are capacity building and the development of living labs where African technicians can gain hands-on experience with integrated sustainable technologies for solar energy, cooling, clean water and cooking. […] Our ambition is to empower African technicians to operate, maintain and further develop these solutions, turning the SophiA living labs into lasting hubs for innovation, knowledge transfer and sustainable development.”
— Mihaela Dudita-Kauffeld, SophiA Bridge Coordinator, OST
Partners
- OST – Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences: coordinator
- Fourfold: supporting partner
- Builds on SophiA, funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme
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