DLL, a global asset finance company, has announced a new partnership with SolarBuddy, an Australian nonprofit focused on alleviating energy poverty through solar-powered lighting.

The collaboration aims to provide sustainable lighting solutions to children in energy-poor communities across Latin America, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region. The effort includes volunteering opportunities for DLL employees, who are assembling thousands of SolarBuddy’s signature “JuniorBuddy” lights for global distribution.

“Partnering with SolarBuddy allows us to address the human side of the energy transition by helping communities most affected by energy poverty,” said Adrian Leach, DLL’s global head of energy transition. “Access to clean and renewable energy is not only about decarbonization, but also about creating opportunity and dignity for the next generation.”

SolarBuddy was founded in 2016 to address the lack of safe and reliable light for millions of children in off-grid areas. The nonprofit works with corporate partners to expand its reach and raise awareness about energy poverty, which still affects more than 685 million people worldwide.

“It has always been my dream to engage with organizations like DLL to help children striving to improve their education under difficult conditions,” said Simon Doble, SolarBuddy’s founder and chair.

As part of the initiative, DLL employees are expected to assemble nearly 3,400 solar lights in 2025. In April alone, over 1,000 were built during live and virtual volunteer sessions.

The launch of the partnership coincides with Earth Day and its 2025 theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” which emphasizes the role of clean energy in building a sustainable future.

DLL, a subsidiary of Rabobank Group, operates in more than 25 countries and manages a portfolio exceeding €44 billion. SolarBuddy is based in Queensland, Australia, and focuses on improving education and health outcomes through solar lighting.