[NGO Friends👩🏼🤝👩🏻] #13 Development Network of Indigenous Voluntary Associations (DENIVA) — Uganda
The NGO friend we introduce today is Development Network of Indigenous Voluntary Associations (DENIVA) working in Uganda. We talked with Ms. Sophie Kange, the Executive Director of DENIVA, and Mr. Fredrick Olinga, the Program Coordinator of DENIVA. Ms. Kange has over 15 years experience in development work and leadership with strong competencies in civil society strengthening including designing and implementing capacity development programs. Mr. Olinga has over 10 years experience in development and social work at NGO with proven skills of communication and management.
About DENIVA
The Development Network of Indigenous Voluntary Associations (DENIVA) is a legally constituted national network of Non-Governmental and Community Based Organizations (NGOs/CBOs). It provides a platform for collective reflection, action, and voice to voluntary indigenous and local organizations to strongly advocate for the creation of opportunities for citizens and their organizations to participate in Uganda’s development and governance processes. DENIVA was founded in February 1988 by a group of 21 NGOs who recognized that scattered efforts of voluntary indigenous organizations needed to be galvanized towards a collective voice that could influence the development agenda in Uganda. DENIVA has grown into a large national network with over 278 functional member organizations located in different parts of the country. DENIVA services a constituency of over 50,000 CBOs and NGOs located all over Uganda.
DENIVA is now implementing Views from the Frontline (VFL) 2019 with financial assistance from the EU in cities and communities of Kampala, Mbale, Bududa, Kasese, and Kabale. The project aims at strengthening inclusion and collaboration between people in disaster prone areas, civil society and government in the design and implementation of policies and practices in order to reduce risks and strengthen resilience. VFL 2019 establishes a local baseline and local monitoring process to measure progress towards achieving an inclusive “people-centered” approach to resilience-building, as promoted within the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) and other frameworks that are part of the Agenda 2030. DENIVA has supported Uganda Women for Water and Sanitation to conduct a survey on disasters in the communities of Namuwongo, Katanga and Bwaise in Kampala. The findings of the survey have formed a basis for the development of community action plans whereby some disasters have been prioritized for management. Particular response is in addressing droughts, floods, mud/landslides and diseases. The best practices of the project will be scaled up through DENIVA’s wider network of member organizations. The ownership, active participation of the local communities and integration of this project will ensure continuity of the outcomes, even after the project has ended.
With 30 years in existence, DENIVA has systems and processes that have stood the test of time and aim at adapting to the changing times as a key strategy for the survival of the civil society organization. Innovative resource mobilization to ensure continuity of the outcomes is critical in the DENIVA’s sustainability strategy. One of the successful sustainability strategies has been the Neighborhood Assemblies’ savings groups and loan schemes that are set up during project implementation. A DRR emergency fund is developed from the interested members to be used as loans at low interest rate during difficult times or for withdrawing money when disasters strike. These saving schemes have proven to be a helpful support buffer and a key sustainability strategy that would be incorporated in VFL 2019. Community ownership of the project will be key in its success and sustainability. In addition, DENIVA will partner with local governments of Uganda and other entities for financing the activities.
To know more about DENIVA, you can visit their website.
Vulnerable Community DENIVA is working with
You can read about the community from the link below.
- Nyanja- Kigarama Community, Maziba Sub-County, Kasese District
- Kijuguta, Kabale District
- Bikone Community, Maliba Sub-County, Kasese District
- Kaghema Village, Bukonzo County, Kasese District
- Katanga Slum, Kampala Capital City, Kampala District
- Namuwongo Community, Kampala Capital City, Kampala District
- Bwaise II Community, Kampala Capital City, Kampala District
Contact
Contact person: Fredrick Olinga, Program Coordinator
Email: fkolinga@gmail.com
