Nicola Blum lives in Zurich and is currently pursuing a PhD in mechanical engineering and technology management in the area of sustainability and technology. During her Mercator year, she will look at ways of increasing the efficiency of cooperation between the public and private sector with a view to creating a sustainable market for renewable energies in rural regions of developing countries. In this context, she will focus on financial mechanisms such as microfinance, corporate financing and the deployment of public monies