Agency For Accelerated Regional Development (AFARD)

AFARD was formed by sons and daughters of West Nile region due to the high poverty level in the region due to the devastation caused by the 1979 war and its aftermath marginalization by government in power as well as the refugee mindset that promoted “sit-and-wait for support attitude” in the population. AFARD therefore sought to empower poor and marginalized people - children, youths, women - to actively engage in unlocking the multifaceted drivers of poverty and livelihood insecurity in West Nile region, Uganda with a vision, “a prosperous, healthy and informed people of West Nile region” and the mission “to contribute to the molding of a region in which the local people (men and women, young and old alike), including those who are marginalized, are able to participate effectively and sustainably and take a lead in the development of the West Nile region.” Currently AFARD Strategy 2020-25 seeks to Inspire poor people for self-development, Empower them with relevant capacities and innovations, and Account for real time change. The plan theme – Thriving and Peaceful Families - targets to ‘reduce hunger and extreme poverty in 20,000 peaceful families’ with 138,500 persons (30% refugees; 60% females; and 25% youth) through four strategic pillars: Pillar 1: Nutrition-sensitive agriculture for increased production and consumption of diversified foods (65% of targeted families are hunger free); Pillar 2: Inclusive market participation for decent employment in strategic agribusiness and vocational labour markets (50% of targeted families exit extreme poverty); Pillar 3: Voice and accountability for responsive and people-centred decentralized local governance (65% of targeted women and youth are politically empowered); and Pillar 4: AFARD organizational development to strengthen operational capacity and financial base (AFARD – preferred partners, fit for purpose, and financially sustainable).