RED

Mid-December, a one-day seminar about conflict resolution structures was given in Adjumani Town, Resident District commissioner’s Hall. It aimed to equip the committees with knowledge and skills in conflict resolution and management, especially in the scope of scarce natural resources.

Specific objectives

• To train the selected structures on how to resolve conflict and tension related to environment and natural resources.
• To train the structures on how to facilitate inter and intra community dialogues on identified conflict related to environment and natural resources.

Conclusion

The training was deemed successful. 20 committee members were present and got an in-depth schooling about concept of conflict, type of conflict, common causes of conflict over natural resources and effect of conflicts, natural resources in the community, tools for preventing and managing conflicts, ways of building consensus among the conflicting parties and roles of conflict Resolution Committee and reporting. There was experience sharing of different conflicts that is happening within the community. Among others discussed was other causes of conflict in community other than conflict over natural resources.

Capacity building training for Conflict Resolution Structures in four sub counties of Adjumani Town: Ciforo, Pachara, Itirikwa and Ukusijoni and Agojo, Alere, Mungula 1&2, Maaji 1, 2&3

The awareness seminars were carried out to introduce the EUTF-RED project to the identified existing community structures in the project operational areas. In addition to the above, the seminars were conducted to orient the existing conflict resolution structures with in the communities i.e. Sub- County and settlements on their roles as far as conflicts related to Environment and natural resources are concerned. Joint Energy and Environment Projects (JEEP) conducted awareness seminars for the existing conflict resolution structures.

Specific objectives

• To introduce the EUTF-RED project to the existing conflict resolution structures in the communities.
• To identify and select members for presentation on the natural resource conflict resolution structure.
• To orient the existing structure on the roles of the natural resource conflict resolution structure.
• To identify capacity gaps in the existing conflicts resolution structure.

Conclusion

Awareness seminars for conflict resolution structures were successfully conducted in 4 Sub-Counties and 11 settlements in Adjumani district and 119 members were involved in the awareness. The seminar covered introduction of the EUTF-RED project, roles of the existing conflict resolution structures as far as environment and energy conservation is concerned in the implementation of the project, the members actively participated and pledged total commitment to support in resolution of conflicts since they were still doing the same within their communities. The members urged themselves to create more awareness within their communities to reduce conflicts in the communities they lead.

EUTF Awareness seminar in Itirikwa, Ukusijoni, Ciforo and Pachara and settlements of Mungula 1&2, Maaji 1,2&3, Alere and Agojo

EUTF Awareness seminar in Itirikwa, Ukusijoni, Ciforo and Pachara and settlements of Mungula 1&2, Maaji 1,2&3, Alere and Agojo

The validation exercise was carried out in the 4 sub counties of Ciforo, Itirikwa, Pachara and Ukusijoni to identify beneficiaries in line with the project selection criteria and profiling tool. Beneficiaries meeting certain criteria were selected to be trained in construction and maintenance of alternative energy technologies.

Specific objectives

• To validate information provided on the profiling tools for the identified beneficiaries.
• To validate whether the project beneficiary selection criteria was followed during the identification of beneficiaries by the community leaders, Community based facilitators etc.

Conclusion

The validation exercise of the project beneficiaries was successfully conducted in the four operation Sub-counties and the 7 settlements of Adjumani District with support from the community based facilitator, community leaders within the Sub-counties and settlements. 600 beneficiaries were verified to be trained as local Artisans. During the exercise, beneficiaries were briefed about the exercise as well as the Projects.

The training workshop was carried out as a means of taking a Training of Trainers under the Youth Resilience Program (YRP). The YRP is the manual/content the community-based facilitators will deliver to the youth and parents/care givers on life skills for success.

The major aim of the training was to demonstrate knowledge on Youth Resilience Program (YRP), youth friendly facilitation methods in delivering YRP and equip the CBTs (Community Based Trainers) with knowledge and skills in application of the Common Approaches in delivering Transferrable Life Skills and ASRH programs.

After the training, the TOTs (Trainers Of Trainees) / trained CBTs will transfer the gained skills to the identified 600 local artisans including boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 20 (and their parents and caregivers), but may also benefit those above this age.

Specific objectives

• To equip the CBTs with knowledge on Youth Resilience Program (YRP) including financial literacy, group dynamics, Village Saving and Loan Associations.
• To equip the CBTs with knowledge on youth friendly facilitation methods in delivering YRP
• To build the capacity of the CBTs in application of the Common Approaches in delivering Transferrable Life Skills and ASRH programs.

Conclusion

The training was successfully conducted and all the 12 expected participants turned up for the trainings. During the trainings, the facilitators equipped the community based facilitators with skills in life skills for success which included financial literacy, group dynamics, village saving and loan associations and many more. Minimal challenges were experienced during the training that included poor time management of the participants that delayed the start of the trainings. It was also learnt that for future trainings, there is need to hold them near the participants or make them residential.

The recruitment of community-based facilitators was carried out to identify and select community members to act as community based facilitators during the implementation of project activities. These will be trained in life skills for success as trainers of trainers and they will be responsible for passing on the acquired skills to the selected project beneficiaries, community mobilization, support in project monitoring in Adjumani district.

Specific objectives

• To identify community members to act as community based facilitators.
• To conduct interviews for the shortlisted candidates.
• To orient the successful applicants on the EUTF-RED project and their roles and responsibilities as community based facilitators.

Conclusion

The recruitment exercise of community-based facilitators was successfully conducted in Adjumani district with support from the sub county advisory board members. 59 applications were received for the community based facilitator post and 23 were shortlisted for interviews. 9 applicants were successfully selected as community based facilitators from both the host and refugee communities. Successful applicants were later oriented on the EUTF-RED project, safeguarding policies and their roles and responsibilities.

Recruitment of community based trainers in Adjumani District

The community target meetings were carried out to validate identified beneficiaries as per the project selection criteria and profiling tool. The verification exercise was targeting host and refugee communities living in and around the refugee settlements. It was anticipated that when identified beneficiaries are verified in reference to the selection tools, JEEP was able to select beneficiaries from the communities who met the set criteria and who will in turn be able to pass on the gained knowledge to other community members. These will as well fully support the promotion of alternative energy technologies in the communities.

The target meetings were conducted in the four sub counties of operation; Itirikwa, Ukusijoni, Ciforo and Pachara and their respective refugee settlements of Mungula I, Mungula II, Maaji I, Maaji II, Maaji III, Agojo and Alere.

Specific objectives

• To validate information provided on the profiling tools for the identified beneficiaries.
• To validate whether the project beneficiary selection criteria was followed during the identification of beneficiaries by the local leaders.

Conclusion

The validation exercise of the project beneficiaries was successfully conducted in the four operation Sub-counties and the 7 settlements of Adjumani District with support from the leaders within the Sub-counties and settlements. 150 beneficiaries were verified to be trained as local Artisans. These beneficiaries were thoroughly explained to why the exercise is being conducted and later asked if they are willing to be trained in Energy Saving technologies as far as the JEEP RED-EUTF project is concerned.

The training workshops were carried out to orient the selected Sub County Advisory Board (SAB) on the selection criteria for the project beneficiaries in the allocated sub counties of operation to gain their full support in beneficiary identification process. The identification process targets host and refugee communities living in and around the refugee settlements. As direct users of energy and natural resources, refugees and host populations face limited access to alternatives and use of renewable energy making this a key priority in environment protection.

The workshops were conducted in the four sub counties of operation; i.e. Itirikwa, Ukusijoni, Ciforo and Pachara.

Specific objectives

• To raise awareness about the project to sub county advisory board members in the four sub counties of operation.
• To orient the selected board members on their roles and responsibilities in project implementation.
• To orient the advisory board members on the selection criteria for the project beneficiaries.
• To train the selected sub county advisory board on the use of the beneficiary profiling tools that will be used in the identification process of targeted project beneficiaries

Conclusion

Sub-County Advisory board trainings were successfully conducted in 4 Sub-Counties in Adjumani district and 35 Board members were trained. Presentations covered the activities to be conducted as far as the project is concerned, roles of the Sub-County Advisory board in the implementation of the project, beneficiary selection criteria, the target beneficiaries, number of beneficiaries to be selected in each host and refugee community. The Advisory board members actively participated and pledged total commitment to support implementation of the project to achieve desired project objectives. There is a lot of environmental destruction in the community and limited awareness on existing environmental laws and policies for example, deforestation for charcoal, wood fuel, among others as stated by some members. Therefore, the SACAOs urged awareness seminars to be extended to the grass root levels and tasked every board member to be the Ambassadors of this project in the communities they lead.

Sub-county advisory board trainings in the sub-counties Itirikwa, Ukusijoni, Ciforo and Pachara, Adjumni District

The inception meetings were intended and carried out to enlighten the sub county leaders on the project implementation and execution as well as share ideas on how sub county advisory boards would be formed that are key in the selection of the project beneficiaries from communities. They were held in a participatory way, which involved attainment of views and ideas of all leaders in an interactive way.

Specific objectives

• To raise awareness about the project to key stakeholders, especially at sub county and settlement level.
• To seek feedback about the project objectives and other similar or existing interventions within the sub counties based on the experience of the stakeholders.
• Create awareness on the formation of sub county advisory boards which will be key in the selection of the key project beneficiaries from the various communities.
• To collectively agree on the modalities of project implementation including selection criteria of project beneficiaries, as well as ensure their buy in into the project.

Conclusion

The sub county inception meeting was successfully conducted with minimal challenges such as unforeseen political swearing of leaders that delayed start of the meetings and postponement of some meeting. 100 sub county leaders were engaged from the four sub counties of operation. JEEP managed to introduce the project to the sub county leaders who embraced the project idea and committed to supporting implementation. It was learnt that for future projects, there is need to consider equal distribution of resources among the refugee and host communities in Adjumani district.

Sub-county leaders inception meeting in sub-counties Pachara, Iitirikwa, Ciforo and Ukusijoni, Adjumani District.

The activity was intended to introduce the project to key project stakeholders in the district. This therefore involved courtesy visit to the sub counties of operation, district offices and other implementing partners in the district such as Lutheran World Federation (LWF), United High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Friends of Zoka and Uganda Biodiversity Fund.

Specific objectives

• To introduce the project to key stakeholders in the District with an aim of strengthening an understanding of the project Donor and the key project implementers.
• To identify and meet key implementing partners of similar and related interventions in Adjumani.

Conclusion

The launch of the EUTF project in Adjumani was successfully conducted. The partners together with the EU delegates managed to engage district officials and other key implementing partners in the district who committed themselves to support project implementation so as to achieve the set objectives.

Project launch in Pachara sub-county, Adjumani District

Project launch, at JEEP-Adjumani field office in Adjumani District

Project launch, at JEEP-Adjumani field office in Adjumani District

The inception meeting was carried out to introduce the project to Adjumani district officials so as to gain their full support in project implementation. This was intended to help gather any information on existing and similar interventions in the district which could be helpful in project implementation. The seminar was conducted in a participatory way which involved getting views and ideas of all leaders in an interactive way.

Specific objectives

• To raise awareness about the project to key stakeholders ie district leaders and implementing partners in the district.
• To seek feedback about the project objectives and other similar or existing interventions within the district based on the experience of the stakeholders.
• To collectively agree on the modalities of project implementation including selection criteria for project beneficiaries, areas of implementation as well as ensure their buy in into the project.

Conclusion

The inception meeting was deemed successful, attracting 23 participants, consisting of 17 district officials and 6 project team members. The partners managed to introduce the project to the district officials who embraced the project idea and committed to supporting it. The district officials committed themselves to support project implementation so as to be able achieve the set project objectives.

Inception meeting for district officials in Adjumani District

Specific Objectives

JEEP conducted a three-day Field Trip to Adjumani in order to distribute and advocate for energy-saving technologies and other enterprise opportunities. To make sure it seeds no conflicts, JEEP visited three different places, of which two were informal settlements. This way, services are provided to both refugee and hosting communities. JEEP sold nearly all of the stoves brought and was able to excite a lot of people for protecting the environment. The beneficiaries were also glad for the opportunity to attend a workshop about the production of fireless cooking baskets. They were all very happy with their work, and JEEP was happy working with them.

Working with Refugees

Working with refugees is most often subject to a language barrier. The same thing goes for hosting communities, as JEEP is mostly speaking Bantu languages and people in the northern parts of Uganda mainly speak nilotic languages. Nevertheless, to avoid barriers and enable ownership, on these occasions JEEP always works together with members of the refugee and hosting communities. Beneficiaries are always happy to see someone speaking the same language at an energy hub and JEEP is happy to that its vision is able to transcend languages.

View of energy-saving stoves being displayed at an energy hub at a marketplace

The Energy Hub in informal settlement Olua I after setting up