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PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES
1. Technology development and training program
2. Information and Networking program
3 .
Advocacy program
1. TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND
TRAINING PROGRAM
We train our partners (Civil society
Organizations and Community Based
Organizations) in technologies that
support the sustainable utilization of
natural resources. Further, we nurture
adoption of such technologies by
facilitating their adaptation to suit
local consumers. IRDI conducts
research together with local organized
groups and research centers. We train
our partners who in turn demonstrate
and train communities in appropriate
technologies in areas of agriculture,
energy and water.
1.1 Project Implementation Skills
for Partners
IRDI trains her partners for
project implementation. The training
package involves:
·
Curriculum
design for training sessions.
·
Development
of training materials
·
Project
monitoring
·
Project
evaluation
·
Resource
mobilization
·
Skills
training in appropriate energy
technologies namely improved biomass
stoves, biogas and solar energy.
·
Skills
training in sustainable agriculture,
tree planting, fish farming, bee
keeping and mushroom growing.
1.2
Appropriate Energy Technologies.
Partners
are trained in energy technologies
that are low on indoor air pollution
and conserve energy. The fuel saving
stoves promoted reduce fuel wood
consumption by up to 45%. Biogas
technologies are promoted for
households with access to cow dung.
Slurry a byproduct of biogas is used
as fertilizer. The solar energy
technologies are promoted because
solar lanterns offer quality light and
do not give off smoke which makes them
healthier than kerosene lamps.
1.3
Sustainable Agriculture and Tree
Planting
Among
poor households, the high cost of
artificial fertilizers makes it
impossible to improve crop yield.
Integrated Rural Development
Initiatives promotes
sustainable agriculture as one way of
increasing food security. The practice
conserves the environment while
increasing productivity. Subjects of
training include;
·
Manure
Making
·
Vegetable
Growing
·
Livestock
Management
·
Agroforestry
·
Banana
Management
·
Soil
and Water Conservation.
1.4
Income Generating Activities
Our
partners are trained to produce
products for income generation as a
means of improving individual and
household income. Civil society
Organizations (CSOs) and Community
Based Groups are trained in
appropriate activities in accordance
with their preference and existing
market trends.
In
order to ensure profits for the target
groups, we equip the groups with
marketing skills.
Subjects
of training include;
· Production
Skills in income generating activities
i.e. fish farming, bee keeping and
mushroom growing among others.
· Resource
mobilization.
· Entrepreneurship
and marketing
2. INFORMATION AND NETWORKING
PROGRAM
One way of
contributing to the betterment of the
community around us is by sharing
information and experience. IRDI
shares information with partners
through networks and general
correspondence. We document and
repackage information to suit our
varied readership. The information is
distributed through our various
networks, partner Community Based
Organizations and collaborators.
IRDI
is a member organization of the
following networks.
·
Uganda
Participatory Technology Development
Network (UPDNET)
·
Development
Network Of Indigenous Voluntary
Association (DENIVA)
·
Participatory
Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM)
·
East
Africa Energy Technology Development
Network (EAETDN)
·
Public
Private Partnership
·
Rio
+ 10 Uganda Chapter
·
Urban
Community Development Association (UCODEA)
·
Non
Government Organization Forum (NGO
Forum)
·
District
Non Government Organization Forum
Boards
3 . ADVOCACY
PROGRAM
IRDI advocates for a policy
environment that contributes to the
improvement of livelihoods of the
people of Uganda through sustainable
environment management. Our advocacy
campaigns centre on the areas of
Energy, Agriculture and Environment.
At IRDI we believe in the power of
knowledge. We create public awareness
on contemporary issues in order to
empower the public to work with
administrative organs as a means of
realizing their rights and thus
bettering their livelihoods. Our
tools of awareness creation include a
quarterly newsletter, “Environment
Concern”, documentaries, radio and
television programs, brochures and
posters. The information is packaged
to reach grass root communities,
donors and collaborators government
institutions.
IRDI engages in the analysis of
policies at national level and
bye-laws at the district and subcounty
levels. The information generated is
disseminated to policy makers, civil
society organizations and government
institutions in form of policy briefs
for purposes of initiating and
updating the advocacy process.
When tackling an issue single
handedly becomes a challenge, we find
invaluable support in our
collaborators. Coalitions provide fora
for the meeting of various
stakeholders. Collective efforts
mobilized in this way may speed up the
advocacy process. |
