Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (PAND)

Managing Institute:
Agency for Co-operation and Research in Development (ACORD)

Contractor:
Agency for Co-operation and Research Development (ACORD)

Project Code: 067-680-031	Start Date: 01-Apr-92	End Date: 01-Mar-95
Commitment: £460,000	Status: Completed	Type of Funding: Bilateral - JFS

Project Background:
ACORD has been working in Gulu district since 1979, Nebbi district since 1983 and the Oruchinga Valley in the south-west of the country since 1987. The early years of ACORD's work in the North were characterised by efforts to rehabilitate productive activities (fishing, agriculture etc.) and social services (mainly health). Both the Pakwach and Gulu programmes were disrupted by insecurity on several occasions. In 1987 all programmes, including a new initiative in Oruchinga valley, adopted new three year programmes initialling a change in methodology to that of Self-reliant participatory development . These three-year programmes were understood to be the first phase of a nine-year time frame. This time frame was divided into three blocks of three years each. The period 1988 - 1991 was designated the Establishment Phase , characterised by the recruitment, training and consolidation of 3 teams of change agents as well as the emergence of interest groups. The period 1992-1994 will be the Development Phase characterised by increasing interaction between change agents and the groups, the increasing consolidation of emerging groups and member-controlled associations and federation of groups. The period 1994-1996 will be the Localisation Phase where the Associations of groups will be strengthened and ACORD eventually withdraws.

Project Objectives:
To provide sustainable improvements in the lifestyles of poor in 3 districts of Uganda through employing affordable and appropriate income generating training programmes. Long Term Objectives: Sustainable improvement of standards of living of the people living in the three programme areas through diversified production base, employing affordable and appropriate labour and time saving production methods and instruments and independent member controlled producer associations will emerge from the small savings group and groups of producers. The mechanisms by which this can happen are explained elsewhere.

Intended Outputs:
1.)The participation and empowerment of women and other underprivileged groups in all aspects of social, political and economic development and decision-making. 2.)Improved gender relations. 3.)More judicious use of land and water resources based on an awareness of the direct relationship between environmental protection and productivity, and a sustainable standard of living. 4.)That the people of the programme areas gain access to credit through linking to institutional credit schemes or through developing their own strong member controlled credit unions. 5.)People in the programme areas taking action based on the awareness of the possible impact of AIDS on productive capacity and development.