ACORD

ACORD works in six administrative districts in Mwanza and Kagera in North Western and Ngorongoro Districts in Arusha Region. The programmatic interventions focus on Livelihood, Gender, Governance and HIV/AIDS, while the major theme in Ngorongoro is HIV/AIDS.

Overall Objective

The specific strategic objectives for the current strategic period are:

• Strengthening the capacity of CSO and private sector networks to develop strategic linkages with local government authorities for promoting participatory local governance.
• Facilitating the competence building of CSOs networks and multi-sectoral structures to guide the implementation and learning on responses to HIV and AIDS and its impacts.
• Building research, operational and learning networks on promoting sustainable livelihoods on marginalised communities in the Lake Victoria Region through a rights-based approach to development.

Back up

Thematic Focus

HIV and AIDS: ACORD's HIV and AIDS interventions in the Lake Victoria Region has moved from activities on prevention, mitigation and care to mainstreaming, institutional capacity strengthening and networking at local and national levels. A Tanzania case study on mainstreaming HIV and AIDS through a community-led and rights-based approach is documenting best practices developed through ACORD's work. ACORD helps facilitate linkages and networking between local CBOs, district NGO networks and the National NGO Policy Forum. In response to the need for knowledge management and learning alliances among the growing number of CSOs and networks contributing to district responses to HIV and AIDS, ACORD will facilitate the establishment of learning coalitions and mobilise peer support and cost effective knowledge management within the region. ACORD will conduct collaborative research and document progress of responses, mainstreaming of HIV/AIDS and gender, access to services for PLWHAs and gender equality, while affordable access to treatment is pursued as a key advocacy issue. An innovative project for establishment of a comprehensive district response to HIV/AIDS among the Maasai in Ngorongoro District has been launched, and will provide learning on confronting the pandemic in pastoralist communities.

Gender equality: ACORD is working with civil society networks on promoting gender equality in access to development opportunities and resources. The programme collaborative research and advocacy with women rights advocacy organisations in education, livelihoods and HIV/AIDS is helping to improve gender relations at community and local governance levels. Education on civic and basic rights helps promote women's active participation and representation, thereby challenging social exclusion and discriminating norms. ACORD is popularizing the use of Stepping Stones methodology (on Gender and HIV/AIDS) to open discussions on HIV and AIDS at community level and challenging community structures to take responsibilities in leading the fight against the pandemic.

Livelihoods: ACORD is promoting people's access to natural resources that are critical for their livelihoods and local development.
Poor people's access to clean water and affordable sanitation is a key priority. Specific interventions include water and sanitation and hygiene in Mwanza, through facilitation of increased participation of communities in planning for reduction of water and sanitation related diseases. In areas with high population density, ACORD supports locally appropriate micro finance services. Increased access to micro finance services, particularly for women and the youth, is improving gender relations at household and community levels.

ACORD and her partners are promoting sustainable local development, facilitating information networks alongside the campaigns on MDGs, GCAP and food sovereignty. Major advocacy issues are being articulated around three main issues:

• Affordable access to sanitation and safe drinking water
• Increased access to livelihood opportunities and resources for resource-poor households, particularly micro finance and education for women;
• Promoting Corporate Social Responsibility in areas receiving Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs)

Back up

Who We Work With

ACORD will ensure collaborative linkages with the Policy Forum, Joint Oxfam Initiative and other alliances on HIV/AIDS, Participatory Local Governance, Food Sovereignty and Corporate Social Responsibility .The Nile Basin Discourse (NBD), Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation (LVFO) and Southern Africa Regional Poverty Network (SARPN) are also key partners.

Back up