Countries that have a significant number of Energy Group alumni are encouraged to start an alumni association. The Energy Group has develop an "Alumni Start Up Manual" to assist recent graduates who are interested in developing an Alumni Association in their country. The alumni of past Energy Group programs have set up and registered 16 ETP (Energy Training Program) alumni associations with over 9,500 alumni around the world. There are currently Alumni Associations in Ghana, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, and Uganda, and others are in the process of being formed in Botswana, Burundi, Costa Rica, Ecuador, India, Jordan, Kenya, Pakistan, and Uruguay. All returning Energy Group graduates may join existing alumni associations in their countries or begin new alumni associations. These associations are active in promoting the energy and environmental initiatives for sustainable development and cooperation in their countries through planning and organizing regional conferences, workshops, study tours, and publications of a newsletter. There is also the potential for the formation of a regional energy alumni association, a body of professionals who could provide advisory services on a regional basis as needed. Our objective is to have these associations be self-financing and self-determinate in the longer run, however, in the earlier phases, these associations may need start-up assistance. The Energy Group has in the past and will make the best efforts in the future to provide partial funding for:

• Planning and organizational meetings of temporary officers;
• Initial group meeting; and
• Initial announcements, alumni database, newsletter, and legal-filing fees.

Funding may include a U.S. study tour for initial elected officers and advisor. The visit is used to provide officers with information and training in how to run a successful NGO, meet potential international sponsors, and establish links to U.S. NGOs.