The METGE vision and mission will be achieved through delivery of mutually supportive strategic objectives. Four goals commit METGE to climate change adaptation and mitigation through the planting of trees and diversification of livelihoods as described below. METGE’s work is concentrated in the Mount Elgon region of eastern Uganda currently covering the Districts of Mbale, Namisindwa, Manafwa, Sironko, Bunambuli, Bududa, and Bukedea.
Goal 1:
To increase resilience of ecosystems and ecosystem services
Main Focus:
• Support raising and distribution of quality seedlings to smallholder farmers free of charge through community nurseries by achieving 25 million trees distributed target by 2025 as an interim result);
• Facilitating river bank restoration and protection of buffer zones;
• Promoting tree diversity and indigenous species in the Mt Elgon sub-region;
• Promoting Miyawaki forestation methods as an effective tree planting method for creating urban and rural forest cover; and
• Promoting access to safe and clean energy technologies and practices that would reduce forest degradation.
The expected outcomes of METGE’s initiatives include:
• Enhanced resilience of ecosystems and ecosystem services they provide.
• Improved data management systems to effectively track and showcase progress in tree growing, forest restoration, and riverbank protection efforts.
Goal 2:
To enhance sustainable Livelihood sand Climate Change Adaptation
Main Focus:
• Support business planning (markets, value addition, capability building, etc.) to support diversification of communities’ portfolio of income earning activities;
• Set up a community revolving fund to strengthen the current village savings and loans approach practiced in the communities;
• Promote growing of indigenous medicinal plants for improved livelihoods; and
• Promote beekeeping, sustainable land management and Kitchen gardens for improved livelihoods.
The expected outcomes:
• Communities are practicing resilient livelihood practices in Mount Elgon region.
• Beneficiary communities practice alternative livelihood and markets and market access are available to sustain livelihood.
Goal 3:
To Increase technical and advisory services for ecosystem restoration and livelihood systems
Main Focus:
• Provide information and knowledge on the core income generating activities and business planning through training.
• Train beneficiaries in agroforestry, reforestation, tree growing and management skills and river bank restoration.
•Document and disseminate lessons learned and best practices from programme interventions.
The expected outcomes include:
•The adaptive capacity of communities and other stakeholders by strengthening resilience to environmental shocks increased.
Goal 4:
To be a good community neighbour
Main Focus:
•This goal emphasizes building strong relationships with governments, NGOs, and communities, while advancing Safeguarding (SG) and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) efforts, and fostering partnerships to support resilience in the Mount Elgon region.
Key Strategies:
• Develop a partnership strategy with key stakeholders• Engage with beneficiary Districts/Sub-counties and other stakeholders.
• Roll out the implementation of the METGE safeguarding and GESI policy and strategy.
• Engagement with the National Government Community engagement/Model Parishes.
• Comply with the requirements of NGO status at Government and District level in reporting, forging and leveraging links with community leaders.
• Engagement with adjacent charities/NGOs.
Expected outcomes
• Strengthened engagement and leverage with funders, government (central and DLGs), civil society, NGOs and private sector for delivery and to meet the desired resilience in communities and ecosystems in the Mount Elgon Region.
