Background to Living Earth Uganda

Living Earth Uganda (LEU) is a partner of Living Earth Foundation UK that was formally set up and registered as an NGO in Uganda in September 1999.

At LEU we believe that sustainable utilization of natural resources and the environment must be at the centre of any poverty reduction strategy and development process.

Living Earth Uganda's Strategic Objectives are to:

• Support poor urban communities in practically addressing environmental issues in their local areas, with special emphasis on solid waste management, urban sanitation, and aesthetic enhancement of the environment

• Work with government, communities and the private sector to promote environmental education; increasing awareness, commitment and ability to bring about desired changes in attitude and practices on environmental issues

• Facilitate partnership formation between stakeholders in environmental management and education, to promote sustainable environmental development

• Promote policies, practices and strategies that will ensure proper environment and natural resource management in Uganda

Living Earth Uganda Partners

LEU has worked with a range of national and international partners, from the public and private sectors, including UNDP, Government Ministries (particularly the Ministries of Finance, Planning & Economic Development and Local Government), National authorities (e.g. NEMA), local government structures, formal and informal private sector organizations, other NGOs, and community groups.

LEU is sensitive to gender equality and prioritizes the equal involvement of men and women, as well as other disadvantaged or marginalized groups, in its projects.

• Key Issues:

• LEU recognises that there are a number of issues that have an adverse affect the environment and natural resource management in Uganda, which LEU addresses in its projects. These include:

• Widespread poverty that forces people to deal with the immediate livelihood needs without considering the long-term effects of their activities on the natural resource base and environment.

• Low level of action on environmental issues manifested through problems like poor waste disposal, wetland degradation, and rampant burning of vegetation.

• Limited co-ordination between government ministries, the private sector and civil society organisations concerned with sustainable development and natural resource management.

• Inadequate knowledge, managerial and technical skills to enable Government, the private sector and communities to develop and implement sustainable development initiatives.

Read Living Earth Uganda's quarterly newsletter (July - Sept 2007) here...