In Afghanistan’s cold Central Highlands, many families live in poorly insulated homes and rely on wood for heating, which is expensive, pollutes the air, and harms the environment. To help, Group for the Environment, Renewable Energy and Solidarity (GERES) introduced Passiv Solar Verandas—greenhouse-like rooms built onto the south-facing side of houses. These low-cost structures use sunlight to heat the home and create extra living space, raising indoor temperatures by 10–15°C.
Made from local materials like timber, steel, and plastic sheeting, the verandas are affordable and easy to build. Families pay most of the cost, and local craftsmen—trained by GERES—earn income by constructing them. Since 2014, over 1,500 verandas have been built, and more than 100 craftsmen trained.
The project improves comfort and cuts fuel use by up to 30%, easing pressure on natural resources. It also gives families an extra warm room for chores and daily life, which especially benefits women. Craftsmen are supported with technical and business training to help them run independent veranda businesses after the project ends.
The project is part of a larger development programme and is funded mainly by the French government. A staggered subsidy model encourages growth while avoiding market distortion. As interest grows, more families are building verandas on their own, showing strong local acceptance.
The verandas have helped reduce fuel use, improved health and living conditions, and created new jobs. GERES plans to expand this model to other regions and has worked with national and international partners to promote sustainable energy in housing. Their long-term goal is to make these verandas a standard, affordable solution for cold climates around the world.
