ACORD

The country suffered serious setbacks when in early 2000, and again in 2001, it was hit by floods which affected about a quarter of the population and destroyed much of its infrastructure. Mozambique is about to enter its second cycle of PRSPs, called PARPA. An active role is envisaged for NGOs and CSOs as intermediaries between the Government and communities. The decentralization process since 2000, giving more power to the district level is positive. However, civil society remains weak, which limits their possibility to make use of the new opportunities in the political environment.

ACORD is present in Maputo and the two poorest and most marginalised provinces, Niassa in the north and Inhambane in the south. Niassa was once seen as the potential food basket for the country, while Inhambane suffers from poor rainfall and food insecurity. The main sources of income are cotton and tobacco in Niassa and cashew nuts in Inhambane. There is increasing commercialization and big agribusiness companies are moving in, particularly in Niassa. Here, linkages with Tanzania and Malawi are more important than those with the capital, Maputo in the extreme south and there is great interest in the SADC Mtwara Development corridor project, with potential mega projects to rehabilitate agro-business, coal extraction and gold research.

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Overall Objectives

More specifically the objectives of ACORD's new area programme (2006-2010) are to:
• Strengthen the capacity of marginalized communities in 9 districts in Niassa and Inhambane to improve their food security.
• Enhance the capacities of communities in Niassa and Inhambane to engage with PARPA and its agricultural component (PROAGRI) in the decentralized context.
• Enhance the capacity of communities to advocate for their rights and to be part of the social movement in Africa for food sovereignty and rights-based development.

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Thematic Focus

Livelihoods and social action: Both in Niassa and Inhambane, ACORD have been working with community based organizations on issues of household food security (agriculture and fishing production), natural resource management, fishing and microfinance. This is supported by capacity building activities on management, community leadership and institutional organization. ACORD is also contributing to supporting the emergence of community organizations network in the perspective of building a critical mass of engagement on critical issues that affects their lives.

In the years to come, ACORD will continue to: promote people's access and control over food and food producing factors; build capacities for sustainable natural resource management and corporate social responsibility of foreign investors; support direct interventions to increase literacy and prevent HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Particular attention will be given to women and socially excluded groups.

Local governance: In both Niassa and Inhambane, ACORD is supporting local level governments in development of district community led development plans and budget and in building their capacity in monitoring and evaluation, participatory methodologies and natural resource management.

HIV/AIDS: Activities of awareness and sensitization are carried out in partnership with the National HIV program in areas and communities we work with. An income generating activities line is supporting also PLWAs to support their livelihood and build their confidence.

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Who we work with

ACORD has helped create coalition mechanisms, such as Forum for Social Justice (FORJUS) in Niassa as well as Nucleus for the Coordination of Development in Niassa (NUCODEN) that regroups Government and NGOs working on development in the province. Similarly in Inhambane, ACORD is facilitating the NGO network FOPROI and hope to promote a similar forum with the provincial government. At the national level, ACORD collaborate through two NGO networks, LINK and G20.

In its microfinance work, ACORD will cooperate with AMODER and CCCP. In terms of donor partners on the ground, WFP in Inhambane, SCC and GTZ/PRODER will be important.

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