welcome to Integrated Rural Development Foundation Uganda!
Integrated Rural Development Foundation (IRDF) is a transformative community-based organization dedicated to empowering rural communities by tackling poverty, vulnerability, unemployment, and high mortality rates through sustainable and inclusive programs.
IRDF integrates environmental and climate management into its core services, promoting climate-resilient agriculture, renewable energy solutions, and disaster preparedness to help communities adapt to changing environmental conditions. By providing access to Nutrition, education, sensitization and skills training, IRDF improves livelihoods while fostering long-term resilience. IRDF has achieved significant milestones, including increased household incomes, reduced maternal and child mortality, and the creation of thousands of jobs for women and youth including refugees. Through partnerships with governments, NGOs, private sector actors, and local communities, IRDF ensures its initiatives are impactful and community-driven.
Despite challenges such as limited infrastructure and funding, IRDF remains committed to innovation and scalability. With a strong focus on transparency and accountability.
IRDF invites volunteers, donors, and partners to join its mission of building sustainable, climate-resilient, and thriving rural communities for a better future in Western Uganda.
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Our Vision;
Empowered,
educated, and peaceful rural communities thriving in dignity and harmony.
Our Mission;
To create empowered, educated, and peaceful rural communities by fostering sustainable development, promoting access to resources, and building partnerships that enable individuals to thrive and contribute to a brighter, more equitable future.
1. Empower
Youth and Women through Skills Development and Community Innovation: To
equip youth and women with the skills to identify community needs and utilize
locally available resources to create sustainable solutions that foster
self-reliance and community-driven development.
2. Promote
Sustainable Natural Resource Management and Climate Resilience: To
encourage environmentally friendly practices by educating communities on
conservation to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources and enhance
climate resilience.
3. Enhance Agricultural Productivity and Food Security: To support farmers with training in modern agricultural techniques and provide access to improved inputs, enabling them to increase productivity, improve food security, and boost household incomes.
4. Foster
Community Dialogue and Empowerment: To promote inclusive
community dialogue that addresses illiteracy, enhances good governance, and
empowers communities socially and economically.
5. Provide Psychosocial Support for Orphans and Widows: To offer psychosocial support to orphans and widows, helping them overcome trauma, build resilience, and adopt a positive outlook on life.
INNOVATION : We see innovation as the driving force for growth and transformation. We constantly explore new ideas and embrace creative solutions to solve challenges and inspire progress in the community.
EXCELLENCE : We are dedicated to delivering outstanding results in everything we do. We strive for the highest standards of quality and ensure our work is both efficient and effective to maximize impact.
INCLUSIVENESS : We foster a diverse, inclusive community where everyone is valued, respected, and given equal opportunities to thrive.
EMPOWERMENT : Our goal is to empower people and communities by providing them with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to thrive. We believe in fostering self-reliance and supporting individual growth.
INTEGRITY : Integrity is at the heart of our organization. We conduct ourselves with honesty, transparency, and ethical principles, ensuring trust and credibility in all our programs.
At the Integrated Rural Development Foundation (IRDF), we empower rural communities through sustainable initiatives in education, health, water and sanitation, environmental conservation, entrepreneurship, and agriculture.
Climate Action and Environmental Justice
We focus on supporting alternative energy sources, building resilience
for vulnerable communities, advocating for the elimination of harmful
investments and subsidies, improving enviromental protection, and supporting
transformative action for a just energy transition, ensuring a clean world for
the future.
Climate Advocacy and Campaigning
IRDF’s Climate Advocacy and Campaigning initiative, empowers rural communities to combat climate change. Through awareness workshops, tree planting, and policy engagement, it promotes sustainable practices. Volunteers and leaders collaborate to influence local action, fostering resilience and environmental stewardship for a greener future.
Climate cross cutting and Emerging Themes
IRDF also focuses on strengthening gender transformative approaches in
climate action, targeting young people to harness Uganda's demographic
dividend, engaging children in climate change and conservation, including
persons with disabilities, and engaging other marginalized groups in these
activities.
The Kamwenge District Development plan shows a 5% high school dropout rate, with 46,890 unschooled youths and 60,225 illiterate. IRDF has established a primary school in Bihanga sub-county to improve education standards. The school has permanent structures for primary six to seven, but needs more resources and staff payments. Orphans and disabled children also exist.
IRDF has carried out community sensitization campaigns in the areas of Bihanga and Nkoma sub-counties of Kamwenge district. Among other topics covered, our staff have covered:-
(i) Education sensitization, bringing parents and teachers together to share challenges and solutions of child education.
(ii) Farming As A Business (FAAB)
(iii) Good Agricultural Practices (GAPS)
(iv) Children’s rights and responsibilities
Kamwenge district, with its semi-arid land, faces a significant water scarcity. 42,136 people rely on unprotected sources, and 2,482 lack latrines/toilets. IRDF has lobbied for boreholes, acquiring three in different parishes. One is at a school, providing clean water for pupils. However, more work is needed to address the remaining water scarcity in Kamwenge district.
We support poor and rural areas by providing access to education, healthcare, clean water, sustainable agriculture, and skills training, empowering communities to overcome poverty and build resilient, self-reliant futures.