🚀We are thrilled to announce the successful launch of the Research and Innovation program in March 2022! Our mission is to revolutionize sustainable construction materials and significantly reduce environmentally damaging carbon emissions, particularly from concrete and cement. Thanks to the generous support of a capacity-building and knowledge exchange grant funded by Irish Aid, in partnership with Action Ireland Trust, our research division has expanded to explore the use of innovative building materials.

🏗️ Phase I: Pioneering Sustainable Materials In the first phase, we embarked on a groundbreaking journey by selecting six materials, three traditional and locally sourced, and three recycled or repurposed materials. Our objectives were ambitious:

  • Identifying the sources and availability of these materials
  • Determining their cost and accessibility
  • Evaluating the environmental impact of extraction or reuse
  • Exploring local knowledge and building techniques
  • Assessing material durability in relation to modern counterparts and local climate conditions.

💡 Phase II: Circular Economy & Domestic Building Materials Workshop The second phase saw the remarkable Circular Economy & Domestic Building Materials Workshop that began on 2nd June 2023 at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology’s Entrepreneurship Acceleration Platform (LEAP) in Maseru. Here, 20 entrepreneurs from various backgrounds and disciplines delved into a 7-session workshop led by industry experts. Together, they explored a wide range of indigenous materials and experimented with alternative construction approaches.

🏠 Introducing Sustainable Materials Participants enthusiastically engaged with locally-sourced and natural materials, such as sandstone, compressed earth block, and thatch. Additionally, they explored the potential of recycled materials, including hemp, wool, and packaging waste. The workshop’s ultimate goal is to create job opportunities through local production of sustainable building materials while reducing the use of environmentally harmful construction products.

🌿 Empowering Entrepreneurs for a Greener Future One participant, Morongoe, who specializes in producing recycled plastic bricks, expressed her joy and appreciation for being part of this transformative program. She believes the knowledge and skills gained will elevate her business as a young entrepreneur. Moreover, this initiative aims to empower entrepreneurs in vulnerable local communities, with a special focus on supporting women entrepreneurs, to establish circular economy businesses.

🏢 Phase III: Paving the Path to Eco-Friendly Building Practices As we look forward to the third and final phase starting in August, our objectives are set high:

  1. Enhancing capacity among Lesotho’s policy-makers
  2. Establishing regulatory professional bodies in the built environment
  3. Compiling building codes for energy-efficient practices.

🌟 Promoting Green Building Practices in Lesotho This project holds immense promise for transforming the built environment in Lesotho! Our research findings will be shared with policy-makers, private sector practitioners, and relevant government ministries. By supporting policy makers in reviewing and revising outdated construction regulations and standards, we aim to foster energy-efficient building practices and contribute to sustainable development in the region.

📢 Stay Tuned for More Updates! We are excited about the strides being made to promote sustainable building practices in Lesotho. Stay tuned for more thrilling updates on this groundbreaking initiative that has far-reaching implications for the future of eco-friendly construction worldwide! Together, let’s build a greener, more sustainable planet for generations to come. 🌱