Looking for funding for: “Promoting Community Climate Change Resilience through IWRM and WASH services in the Tooro Region.”

Project background / Context:

In Uganda there is rising ecosystem degradation which is partly caused by unsustainable agricultural practices, increased demand for wood fuel by 94% of households, endangered forest cover, degradation of wetlands and rapid urbanization of about 5.2% annually.

With an average annual population growth rate of 3% and fertility rate of 5.4%, there is increased pressure on natural resources for social and economic livelihoods.

Uganda is ranked the 14^th most vulnerable country in the world and the 49^th least ready to adopt to climate change. There is rampant occurrences of floods and drought causing loss of crops, livestock, property destruction and sometimes resulting in deaths, ill health and deteriorating live hoods.

Unsustainable ecosystem management severely affects the poor especially women whose activities depend largely on nature. The National Development Plan (NDP III) of 2020/21-2024/25 which guides the nation in delivering the aspirations articulated in Uganda Vision 2040, puts emphasis on undertaking appropriate mitigation and adaptation measures and actions that are community led, gender sensitive and multi-sectoral.

According to the Sustainable Development Goal 6 it is stipulated that Governments should ensure that there is access to water and sanitation for all. Therefore access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene is one of the most human need for a health and wellbeing.

Sustainable management of water resources and access to safe water and sanitation are essential for unlocking economic growth and productivity as it provides significant leverage for investments in health and education.

The proper usage and management of natural resources (environment) such as forests, rivers, soils, wetlands and lakes greatly contributes to sustainable water availability and water quality.

In the Tooro region, poor management and forests is a big problem requiring cooperative stakeholder involvement. The region suffers poor land use and insecurity of tenure; - rampant environment  degradation resulting from low enforcement capacity, limited environmental education and awareness, limited alternative sources of live hoods, limited research on natural resources conservation and sustainable use, low rates of innovation and slow adoption of appropriate technology (including climate change adaption technologies) poor coordination and institutional conservation efforts. The poverty level in the region is high, with majority of the population relying on subsistence agriculture for their livelihood.

Unemployment among the youth is rampant. A mix of poverty and unemployment present a recipe for continued pressure on natural resources such as land forests and could reverse efforts to conserve the environment.

Against this background Platform for the Needy (PLANE) has developed this proposal and is seeking partnership with BBS to implement a 2year project on “Promoting Community Climate Resilience through IWRM and WASH services in the Tooro Region”. The project will be implemented through multi-sectoral approaches using community led interventions.