Environmental research

Solar energy provision for improved livelihoods and conservation of Ssesse islands project is managed by Ssesse Community association (SSECODA) a local community based organization in southern Uganda, Kalangala district. It aims at ensuring at supporting sustainable natural resource conservation and community livelihood options. The district has 84 islands and only 62 are inhabited with the richest biodiversity of fauna and flora. The greater part of the area is covered by open water (95%) which determines the socio-economic activities are undertaken. The absence of affordable power and or electricity in the area from the national power grid, increased deforestation, soil erosion, general climate changes,rural poverty and general natural resource misuse (biodiversity loss) to satisfy the needs of the local community plays a leading role in aggravating environmental degradation. The GEF focal areas addressed are land degradation,boidiversity conservation and mitigation of climate change through participatory community conservation. Activities include conservation education, resource mobilisation and construction of solar power supply facilities and sustainable community inititiatives as well as diversification of income sources.

Uganda