Environmental issues and controlling, mitigating them is becoming evermore important in the Zombo region in Uganda (more specifically the sub-counties Paidha and Atyak). Extensive, destructive usage of the soil and other natural resources, together with, among others, poor waste management cause more severe droughts, combined with the increase of spreading pests and diseases.
To raise awareness and reduce these negative impacts, the project “Eco Pesa” (Swahili for “Eco Money”) focusses therefore on environmental education and income generation through practical environmental conservation.
The project aims to increase awareness of the environment and spread new ways of saving resources and generating income in a sustainable way. This will be done by reaching out to schools, rural communities,… and offering trainings in these topics. By doing so, the project hopes to have a direct local impact on societies in combating climate change.
Objectives
Awareness raising in environmental conservation
Awareness raising in schools
Community awareness raising
Formation of an environmental network
Training in sustainable energy solutions
Training in the construction of energy efficient stoves
Training to build fireless cooking baskets
Training in the production of charcoal dust briquettes and herbal soap
Entrepreneurship and improved livelihoods
Entrepreneurship training
Tree nursery establishment and management
Establishment of sales-centers for energy-efficient products
Project partners
This project is made possible by several entities, first and foremost CO-OPERAID, a non-profit, politically and denominationally independent humanitarian association based in Zurich and Joint Energy and Environment Projects (JEEP).
This project furthermore depends on several other NGOs, such as Community Empowerment for Rural Development (CEFORD), Life Concern (LICO) and Nebbi District NGO Forum (NDNGOF).
111 participants were trained in entrepreneurship skills and improved livelihoods (Male=65, Female=46). The major aim for the activity was to impart skills in the participants on how to make the right decisions in their small businesses. During the training, there was activeness and willingness to learn, and this contributed to the smooth running of the training. Groups showed much interest in business management skills and promised to apply the knowledge on their daily business. Groups accepted to change from their illiterate dependency life to a business free environment.
Fireless basket cookers training was conducted to eight 8 youth and women groups in Paidha and Atyak sub counties. The 58 selected women and youth groups were equipped with the skills on how to make a hay basket / fireless cooking basket. It was anticipated that the selected individuals would transfer the knowledge gained to the rest of their group members and to the community members. This would enable the communities to adopt the use of clean cooking technologies hence improved health and the team created more awareness about clean cooking and improved economic and environmental livelihoods of the beneficiaries among the groups.
Establishment of energy hubs started in April by selection of the groups to manage the hubs and acquiring of land where the hubs were to be constructed. This activity was planned to take 1 month of execution but due to unforeseen challenges and circumstances, this activity has taken 4 months from April to July.
The main objective of this activity:
To increase access to clean energy technologies to the local community and improved the community member’s livelihoods.
4 energy hubs were constructed and will be managed by 2 youth and 2 women groups.
