The document summarizes Environmental Alert's activities and achievements in 2018 under the Strengthening Resilience and Promoting Inclusive Governance Program. Key achievements included developing strategic plans for CSO networks, facilitating over 550 participations in national policy spaces, and publishing position papers that reached over 66,000 people. Challenges included declining CSO reporting and weak collaboration across networks. Future plans include capacity building for CSOs and supporting networks to participate in sector reviews. Environmental Alert aims to contribute to improved livelihoods through sustainable natural resource management.
1. Strengthening Resilience and Promoting Inclusive
Governance Program (STRENPO) - Progress on
Environmental Alert led activities for 2018.
Protea Hotel
4th - 6th December, 2018
Ephrance Nakiyingi,Tebandeke Andrew, Kijjambu Henry,
and Dr. Joshua Zake (PhD)
Environmental Alert,
P.O. Box 11259 Kampala, Uganda, Tel: 0414510215;
Website: http://www.envalert.org
Email: po.cnc@envalert.org or ed@envalert.org
2. Outline of the presentation
A) Project background
B) Major Achievements under Specific objective 2
C) Kiss of life
D) Networks
E) Coordination/collaboration approaches and achievements
F) Major constrains/challenges
G) Key lessons
H) Future Outlook
I) Web links to published outputs from project engagements
J) About Environmental Alert
3. A) Project background
Objectives Interventions for 2018
Obj.1 Strong community-based organizations
empower citizens and allow women and youth to
build assets and take leadership roles in
strengthening community resilience
Obj.2 Civil society organizations and networks
have increased capacity and expand spaces for
negotiation between empowered citizens and
refugees and accountable duty bearers through
multi-stakeholder platforms focused on
resilience
Target :
Direct Beneficiaries 80,127
Indirect Beneficiaries 176,700
Total 256,827
Activity.2.1.1.Conduct capacity needs assessment and
develop capacity strengthening plans for CSOs partners
and networks for increased uptake of resilience approaches
and programme methodologies.
Activity 2.1.3: Document best practices and lessons learnt
on knowledge and application of methods and approaches
on climate resilience.
Activity 2.2.1: Support capacity strengthening of selected
CSOs partners Networks and working groups at national
and local level.
Activity 2.2.3: Facilitate institutional and coordination
mechanisms of the ENR-CSO, PROLINNOVA and UFWG
Networks for building consensus for joint implementation of
structured engagements that contribute to climate resilience
at national and local level
Activity 2.2.5: Facilitate national and local CSO networks
to participate in national level processes such as: JSR for
MAAIF,MWE,MoGLSD,Refugee/Humanitarian Inter-agency
meetings
4. B) Major Achievements under Specific objective 2
Indicator (EA
RFW)
Target for
2018
Achievement
Outcome 2.1 Increased
capacity of CSOs partners at
district level to uptake
resilience approaches and
programme methodologies
Member
Participation in
Annual general
meetings for the
ENR-CSO, UFWG
and Prolinnova
75 AGM preparations are under way, its slated for 18th
December 2018
Strategic plans
developed for the
CSO networks
2 Processes to facilitate the development of the ENRCSO
network and UFWG SP are on-going, Vetting process
complete Consultant negotiating contract terms with EA
Participation in
national level policy
spaces like JSR,
JTR, SWG
meetings among
others for ENR and
Agriculture sectors
350 548 (179 females ,369 males): These were majorly
participation during JSR, JTR, SWG ,Climate resilience
dialogue. Such spaces have continued to underscore the
role of CSOs in improving sector performance. An MoU
between the MWE and ENR-CSO Network has been signed
and apparently guiding all ENRCSO engagements
5. B) Major Achievements under Specific objective 2
Outcome Indicator Target Achievement
Outcome 2.1 Increased
capacity of CSOs
partners at district level
to uptake resilience
approaches and
programme
methodologies
CSOs Contribution to the
compilation of the ENR-
CSOs report and PELUM
statement section for
JASAR
49 26 ENRCSO Network Members contributed to the
Compilation of the ENR CSO performance report by
submitting their individual performance assessment
reports within their thematic groupings. This contributed
to the generation of CSO recommendations to MWE
Dissemination of the ENR-
CSO reports and PELUM
statement section for
JASAR
500 500 copies of the 2018 CSOs performance report and
position paper were printed and dissemination is still
ongoing
People reached through
publications in local
newspapers with
information on resilience
73000 66000 were reached through a newspaper supplement
of the ENRCSO position paper and supplement on
Plastic Pollution published in one of Uganda's leading
dailies
This has further contributed to the ongoing discussion
on climate resilience as reflected in the just concluded
national dialogue.
6. B) Major Achievements under Specific objective 2
Outcome Indicator Target Achievement
Recommendations taken up by
the relevant ministries
Supplement published in the
local print media
1 2
National and local CSOs
supported to participate in
Refugee/Humanitarian Inter-
agency meetings at national
5 11
7. c) Kiss of life
• The newly signed MoU between the Ministry of Water and
Environment (MWE) and the Environment and Natural
Resources Civil Society (ENRCSO) Network is a sign for
resuscitating ENR Sector performance.
• It provides avenues for strengthening CSOs partnership and
collaboration with the MWE towards policy advocacy.
8. D) Networks
• Spill over effects from the performance of the ENRCSO network
have resulted into the formation of the National Renewable Energy
CSO Network, which is also a loose network hosted by
Environmental Alert emulating best practices and customizing them
to the Renewable energy sector.
9. E) Coordination/collaboration approaches and achievements
• The signed MOU between the Ministry of Water and Environment and the
ENRCSO Network; this will strengthen CSOs partnership and collaboration with
the Ministry towards policy advocacy.
-It already resulted into implementation a joint Program called, ‘Inclusive Green Growth for
Poverty Reduction,’
-This achievement is apparently contributing to the desire of other CSOs to join the ENRCSO
network.
-Increased participation of Duty bearers in CSO activities as observed in the ENRCSO
organized activities.
• Participation of ENRCSO Network in Sector working groups has given EA and
the STRENPO project more visibility. Environmental Alert has effectively
participated/represented CSOs & Networks in over 6 Water and Environment
sector working meetings.
10. E) Coordination/collaboration approaches and achievements
• Structured engagements with other like-minded CSO networks for
building synergies and pooling resources for joint engagements on
shared interests and goals. The following are some of the examples:
- Collaboration between the Civil Society Coalition on Oil and Gas and the ENR-CSO
Network to develop, present and discuss joint CSOs memorandums on the draft National
Environmental Bill, 2017 and the Environment and Social Impact Assessment Report,
2018 for Tilenga Project
- Collaboration between Environmental Alert and Participatory Ecological Land-use
Management (PELUM-Uganda for joint engagement in the Annual Agriculture Sector
Review, 2018 and the Review of the Draft Organic Agriculture Policy. In both process, CSOs
Position papers were generated, presented and discussed.
- Collaboration between the ENR-CSO Network and the Climate Action Network (CAN) –
Uganda to mobilize 125 CSO and Networks participation in the National Pre-Conference of
Parties (CoP) 24. A joint CSOs pre CoP 24 Position Paper was generated and Published.
11. F) Major constrains/challenges
i. Decline in the number of ENR-CSOs reporting their annual contributions to the sector; this
reduced from the 30 for 2016/17 to 26 CSOs for 2017/18.
ii. ENR-CSO network members’ active participation in events especially internationally
celebrated days is still low. The secretariat is continuously engaging in resource mobilization
for funds to support network members active participation in these events.
iii. The ENR-CSO Network participation in ENR budget advocacy engagements is inadequate,
however collaboration with CSBAG is being pursued and a draft Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) is in place.
iv. There is weak collaboration and cooperation across CSO Networks. Several partnerships or
collaborations are being developed or strengthened for cooperation with other networks.
These partnerships are being strengthened with PELUM, CSBAG, CSCO, CAN-U among
others mainly to avoid contradictions and duplications. A draft MoU with PELUM-Uganda
and HORIZONT3000 is in place.
12. G) Key lessons
i. It is always imperative to utilize other partners’ strengths in a network setting
E.g. for MAAIF JASAR, we engaged with PELUM and used it as an entry point
for effective participation in the event, similarly for budget advocacy, plan to
engage with CSBAG;
ii. Its always a good practice to map likeminded institutions/Networks for any
advocacy interventions e.g. worked with CSCO to meet and submit CSOs
petition on NEMA bill to Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources;
iii. MoUs give clear direction answering the who, the what and the when questions
on a specific joint intervention.
13. H) Future Outlook
i) Support capacity building of the identified CBOs in monitoring government
commitments;
ii) Conduct capacity needs assessment and develop capacity strengthening plans
for CSOs partners and networks for increased uptake of resilience approaches and
programme methodologies- (capacity building plan /Validation);
iii) Document best practices and lessons learnt on knowledge and application of
methods and approaches on climate resilience;
iv) Support capacity-strengthening for strategic CSO partners, networks and
working groups at national and local level.
14. H) Future Outlook
v) Facilitate institutional and coordination mechanisms of the ENR-CSO, PROLINNOVA and
UFWG Networks for building consensus for joint implementation of structured
engagements that contribute to climate resilience at national and local level;
vi) Develop an advocacy strategy for the programme based upon findings from the CAAPs,
GCVCA and policy analysis.
vii) Facilitate national and local CSO networks to participate in national level processes
such as: Joint Sector Reviews for Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries,
Ministry of Water and Environment; Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Affairs,
Refugee/Humanitarian Inter-agency meetings
15. I) Web links to published outputs from project engagements
i) Reflection on Practical Actions for Beating Plastic Pollution in Uganda; how can this be achieved?
Available at: http://envalert.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ENR_CSO.pdf
ii) ENR-CSO Position paper, 2018. Available at: http://enr-cso.org/wp-
content/uploads/2018/09/ENR_position-paper-newvsion.pdf
iii) CSCO and ENR-CSO Network Comments on the Environment and Social Impact Assessment Report of
the Tilenga Project. Available at: http://enr-cso.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/CSCO-ENR-CSOS-
Comments-on-the-Tilenga-ESIA-11Nov2018.pdf
v) CSO Position on State of Climate Resilience and CoP 24. Available at: http://envalert.org/wp-
content/uploads/2018/11/COP24-CSO-Position_22-Nov-20183.pdf
16. J) About Environmental Alert
• EA was founded in 1988 and is officially registered Non Government Organization with board.
Thus, in 2018 – EA will make 30 years of contribution to food security and sustainable
environment and natural resources management in Uganda.
• EA is a 1st prize winner of the Energy globe award for environmental sustainability-2005 under
the category, earth.
• EA is a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and a Member of
The IUCN National Committee for Uganda.
• EA in 10 years 2016-2025, envisions, ‘Resilient and dignified communities, managing their
environment and natural resources sustainably.’
• EA’s mission is to, ‘Contribute to improved livelihoods of vulnerable communities by enhancing
agricultural productivity and sustainable natural resources management.’
17. J) About Environmental Alert
• EA hosts Secretariat for following networks:
a. The Network for Civil Society Organizations in Environment & Natural Resources
Sector (ENR-CSO Network) http://enr-cso.org/ ;
b. Uganda Forestry Working Group http://ufwg.envalert.org/;
c. The Standards Development Group; and
d. Promoting Local Innovation in ecologically oriented agriculture and natural
resources management (PROLINNOVA-Uganda Network)
http://www.prolinnova.net/Uganda;
18. J) About Environmental Alert
Scale of Implementation:
• EA operates in selected districts (in 2018, EA facilitated engagements reached 40
districts – directly and indirectly) for generation of evidence to inform policy
engagements on agriculture, environment and natural resources at National and
International levels.
• EA undertakes area wide (through radio, print media, social media) targeted
awareness (illustrative posters, policy briefs, issues papers) on selected issues in
agriculture, environment and natural resources engagements.
• Thus, 2 National Campaigns on Land rights and Renewable Energy are currently
being implemented in collaboration with Trac FM.
