The presentation was delivered during the Uganda National Stakeholder's Biomass Dialogue held on 15th September 2017 at Imperial Royal Hotel in Kampala. This engagement was part of the Annual Energy Week event organized by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and Partners. The presentation highlights the status of Civil Society Coordination in respect to promoting sustainable biomass utilization in Uganda.

1. Enhancing CSO Coordination of CSOs in Biomass Energy
Promotion in Uganda.
Prepared and presented By Dr. Joshua Zake (Ph.D), Executive Director – Environmental Alert, during the
National Biomass Dialogue held at Imperial Royale Hotel , 15th September 2017.
Email: ed@envalert.org

2. Outline of the presentation
A) Background/context
--Type of CSOs involved biomass energy promotion
--Scope/scale of operation
--Existing coordination initiatives
--Limitations/weakness in current coordination arrangements
B) Why effective coordination arrangements for CSOs and networks in the renewable energy
sector
C) EA’s experiences in CSOs coordination and networks in the ENR sector
D) Proposed coordination arrangement
E) About Environmental Alert

3. A) Background/context
 CSOs refer to Civil Society Organizations, which are formed towards achievement of specific vision and
mission statements and objectives.
 CSOs may be Community Based Organizations, Non Government Organizations, Faith Based Organizations
among others.
 They can be local, national and international based CSOs.
 They are registered and regulated by the Government through the National NGO Bureau under the
Ministry of Internal affaires.
 They are regulated under the NGO policy, 2010 and NGO Act, 2016.
 Thus, the Government issues CSOs licenses of operation for 1, 3, 4 and 5 years. These are renewed based
on the extent to which the CSOs have delivered on their mandates as stipulated in the policy and law.

4. A) Background/context
The Role of CSOs in promotion of sustainable Biomass Energy development and utilization in Uganda
 CSOs should compliment the implementation of Government plans and programs in value adding
partnership/collaboration at different levels (village, sub county, local, national and international) through
awareness creation, capacity building, action research, policy engagement;
 CSOs play a watch dog role as stipulated in the constitution. Thus, conduct value adding policy, lobbying
and advocacy to review/appraise Government performance in respect to commitments as stipulated in
policies, programs, approved plans.
 Based o this and from their experiences, lessons learnt, information and facts, CSOs provide/suggest
alternative policy and practice recommendations to Government for consideration in rolling
implementation of Government policies and programs at different levels (local and national).
 CSOs should regularly share/submit their plans and budgets (financial contribution to the Energy sector)
and reports of their performance to Government (both Local and National).

5. A) Background/context
Type of CSO Scope/scale of engagements promoting biomass energy
Community Based Village, Sub county
Non-Governmental Organization Village, Sub county, local, sub-regional, national
International Non-Governmental
Organization
National, International

6. B) Why effective coordination arrangements for CSOs and
networks in the renewable energy sector
• CSOs can only deliver on the above roles through proper and effective coordination at local and national
levels.
• This can be achieved through value adding collaboration/partnership with Government, which can be
guided through Partnership agreements like Memorandum of Understanding.
• Such coordination arrangements makes CSOs reporting to the Government much easier and helps
Government to provide better guidance to the CSOs their by avoiding unnecessary duplication of efforts.
• Such CSO coordination arrangements are only possible if CSOs are able to mobilize and organize
themselves as networks (with clear shared goals, objectives and programs) which are recognized by
Government.
• The CSOs coordination arrangements also provides for structured enhancement of the knowledge and
capacity for the CSOs in the biomass energy sub sector to engage effectively at the local and national
levels.

7. C) Environmental Alert’s experiences in CSOs coordination
in the Environment Natural Resources sector
• Environmental Alert hosts the Secretariat of the Environment and Natural resources Network (ENR-CSO Network)
among others.
• The ENR-CSO Network was established in 2010. The driving force behind its formation was the need for the Civil
Society Organizations (CSOs) to get organized and formalize their participation in the annual Joint Sector Review
process (JSR) under the Ministry of Water and Environment.
Vision, mission and goal of the ENR-CSO Network
• Vision: The Vision of ENR-CSO Network is “Uganda’s natural environment providing goods and services, on
sustainable basis, for national socio-economic development.”
• Mission: The Mission of ENR-CSO Networks is to “Mobilize CSOs to effectively promote good governance, effective
management and sustainable utilization of Uganda’s natural resources”.
• Goal: The Goal of ENR-CSO is “Ensuring that ENR-CSO network members effectively contribute to achieving good
governance for effective service delivery in the ENR sector.”

8. C) Environmental Alert’s experiences in CSOs coordination
in the Environment Natural Resources sector
• Environmental Alert hosts the Secretariat of the Environment and Natural resources Network (ENR-CSO Network)
among others.
• The ENR-CSO Network was established in 2010. The driving force behind its formation was the need for the Civil
Society Organizations (CSOs) to get organized and formalize their participation in the annual Joint Sector Review
process (JSR) under the Ministry of Water and Environment.
Vision, mission and goal of the ENR-CSO Network
• Vision: The Vision of ENR-CSO Network is “Uganda’s natural environment providing goods and services, on
sustainable basis, for national socio-economic development.”
• Mission: The Mission of ENR-CSO Networks is to “Mobilize CSOs to effectively promote good governance, effective
management and sustainable utilization of Uganda’s natural resources”.
• Goal: The Goal of ENR-CSO is “Ensuring that ENR-CSO network members effectively contribute to achieving good
governance for effective service delivery in the ENR sector.”

9. C) Environmental Alert’s experiences in CSOs coordination
in the Environment Natural Resources sector
Objectives of the ENR-CSO Network
• As derived from the ENR-CSO Network strategic plan, 2013-2018, the strategic objectives of the ENR-CSO Network
include:
• Proactively influence conservation and development policies and programmes for good governance, effective
management and sustainable utilization of Uganda’s environmental resources.
• Build a credible and recognized Network within the Environment and Natural Resources Sector.
• Strengthen ENR-CSO Network and members’ capacity to implement the Mission of the ENR-CSO Network.
ENR-CSO Network core business:
Lobbying and advocacy for enabling sector policies and good governance in the ENR
Sector.
Membership mobilization, information sharing and joint monitoring/advocacy
Networking among members and between the network and other players in ENR
Sector.
Capacity building for the network members.
Source: ENR-CSO Network Strategic plan, 2013-18.

10. C) Environmental Alert’s experiences in CSOs coordination
in the Environment Natural Resources sector
Governance of the ENR-CSO Network
• The ENR-CSO Network has an operational memorandum of principles, which provide guidance on the governance and
management of the network in order to achieve its aspirations in respect to the network’ vision, mission and objectives as
stipulated in the strategic plan for the network.
• The governance of the network is through the Annual General Assembly as the overarching body, the Steering committee;
the Thematic Working Groups (i.e. Environment; Whether, Climate and Climate Change; Forestry (hosted by the Uganda
Forestry Working Group); Governance; and Wetlands) and District Environment and natural Resources Coalitions in
Kabalore, Masindi, Hoima, Buliisa and Kiryandongo.
• The network develops programs and projects to address specific issues in the Environment and Natural Resources Sector.
These are implemented through collaboration with Development Partners and Government of Uganda.
• Currently, the ENR-CSO Network is in the processes of consolidating its collaboration with the Ministry of Water and
Environment through a Memorandum of Understanding, which is in advanced stages towards endorsement by both parties.
• Environmental Alert and other members of the ENR-CSO Network are involved in promotion of renewable energy, but
structured engagements have been more with the Ministry of Water and Environment.

11. D) Proposed coordination arrangement
 Mapping all CSOs and Networks in the biomass energy sub-sector engaging at the National level and the at sub regional
level within the Albertine region.
 Mobilize and coordinate the CSOs for targeted shared and structured engagements to influence (by generating alternative
recommendations through Consolidated CSOs annual Performance Reports; Position Papers, Policy Briefs…) policy and
decisions for advancement of access to clean renewable energy resources by all Ugandans. This will be through active
participation in existing Government policy, planning and implementation spaces e.g. the Energy week, Annual Joint sector
review for the energy sector (MEMD), Energy Sector Working Group among others.
 Environmental Alert will facilitate this process and will take up the coordination role towards the shared goals and
aspirations by the CSOs in the biomass energy sub-sector.
 Establish sub-regional hubs as coordination arrangement for CSOs in Arua, Kasese and …. Through facilitation by RICE, Kiima
Foods and ……. This will provide for vertical and horizontal linkages between the CSOs at National and sub-regional level.
 Environmental Alert will organize facilitated engagements towards a shared CSOs agenda/work plan that is issue based. As
part of this process, practical coordination mechanisms for the CSOs at the National level will be proposed based on the
mapping and discussed for further input and guidance by the CSOs and other stakeholders

12. D) Proposed coordination arrangement
Key considerations (key principles) in this process
In order to ensure ownership and sustainability of the proposed CSOs in the biomass energy sub sector coordination
mechanism, the following principles will be considered:
• Use/application of the Human Rights Based approaches;
• Highly consultation and participation of key stakeholders;
• Building on existing CSOs coordination initiatives;
• Shared goals, interests and aspirations of the CSOs;
• Any other considerations

13. D) Proposed coordination arrangement
Key considerations – strategies advance CSOs coordination in biomass energy sub sector
#1. Evidence based advocacy- this involves joint action research and modeling best practices in renewable energy .
The lessons and experiences generated are used to inform lobbying and advocacy at local and national levels;
#2. Strengthening partnership to harness technical and financial resources with like minded organizations and
individuals within government and Civil Society (including private sector). MOU signing.
#5. Strengthening capacities of key stakeholders regarding sustainable natural resources management and basic skills
and knowledge for engaging key policy makers and decision makers.
#6. Issue based advocacy engagements through supporting sub-national coalitions to influence policy
implementation at the local level and linking issues and experiences with the national level engagements through line
networks (e.g. UFWG, ENR-CSO Network)

14. D) Proposed coordination arrangement
Available support for the proposed CSOs coordination mechanisms
• These will be implemented within the framework of a project that is being implemented by Environmental Alert in
partnership with the WWF-UCO, with financial resources from NORAD for a period of 4 years – starting 2017.
• The project will contribute towards addressing some of the pertinent issues in the Energy sector as stipulated in the
Energy Policy for Uganda:
• Inefficient production and use of biomass energy resulting in adverse effects on the environment and the health of biomass energy
users, especially in rural households.
• Low public awareness about the efficacy and potency of renewable energy technologies (RETs)
• Underdeveloped markets in RETs equipment and services because of high initial investment costs and lack of financial capacity to
cover the initial investment.
• Lack of mechanisms to monitor standards and ensure quality control of RETs
• Inadequate financing mechanisms and other incentives to facilitate investment, communication, promotion and dissemination of
RETs.
• Inadequate data available on the potential of indigenous renewable energy sources (geothermal, solar, wind, mini and micro hydro).
• Inadequate capacity of CSOs to engage in and lobby for favorable renewable energy policies

15. D) Proposed coordination arrangement
Available support for the proposed CSOs coordination mechanisms
• The project is titled, ‘Increasing access to sustainable and renewable energy alternatives in the Albertine Graben.’
• The goal of the project is, ‘Communities living in the Albertine Graben have adopted sustainable and renewable
energy alternatives to reduce dependency on biomass for their energy needs.’
• The target is to, ‘establish 20 CSOs and networks at national level and 3 sub-regional hubs involved in the
promotion of sustainable and renewable energy as well as addressing issues that interlinked with or rooted in poor
access to sustainable, clean and affordable energy among communities.’
• Environmental Alert has a project agreement with WWF-UCO, whose annual budget will be approved by the latter
every year over the 4 years to support the proposed CSOs coordination mechanisms, which will be facilitated and
coordinated by Environmental Alert. These annual plans and budget will be submitted to the MEMD.

16. D) Proposed coordination arrangement
The project aims to achieve the goal by contributing to three outcomes. These are:
a. Civil society in partnership with other agents of change is transforming government and private sector
decisions and practices towards sustainable and renewable energy development to the benefit of
women, men and youth.
b. Government, private sector, civil society actors and local communities have adopted effective
strategies and practices that support sustainable and renewable energy access in Albertine Graben.
c. Government and private sector have put in place an enabling framework that supports increased
financing/ investment for sustainable and renewable energy development

17. E) About Environmental Alert
• EA was founded in 1988 and is officially registered NGO with board. Thus, in 2018 – EA will make
30 years of contribution to food security and sustainable environment and natural resources
management in Uganda.
• EA is a 1st prize winner of the Energy globe award for environmental sustainability-2005 under
the category, earth.
• EA is a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and a Member of
The IUCN National Committee for Uganda.
• EA in 10 years 2016-2025, envisions, ‘Resilient and dignified communities, managing their
environment and natural resources sustainably.’
• EA’s mission is to, ‘Contribute to improved livelihoods of vulnerable communities by enhancing
agricultural productivity and sustainable natural resources management.’

18. E) About Environmental Alert
Program and institutional Components:
1. Environment and Natural resources management;
2. Food security and Nutrition;
3. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene;
4. Finance and Administration;
-Resource mobilization and Investment;
-Image and visibility

19. E) About Environmental Alert
Scale of Implementation:
• EA operates in selected districts (in 2016, EA facilitated engagements reached 23
districts – directly and indirectly) for generation of evidence to inform policy
engagements on agriculture, environment and natural resources at National and
International levels.
• EA undertakes area wide (through radio, print media, social media) targeted
awareness (illustrative posters, policy briefs, issues papers) on selected issues in
agriculture, environment and natural resources engagements.