January,2015

Building Partnerships To Conserve Uganda's Natural Heritage

Thank you for the tremendous support that we enjoyed during the year 2014 as we continued to relentlessly pursue our mission 'to conserve natural resources and enhance social welfare by promoting innovative and sustainable environmental management in Uganda.

We have started the year 2015 in earnest, and the highlight of January was the official opening of the Equator Snow Lodge by Uganda's Minster of Water & Environment. This was part of the activities to popularize the attractions along the main Rwenzori Gateway.

Equator Snow Lodge is a partnership between ECOTRUST and Geolodges Uganda, to provide first class accommodation facilities to the Rwenzori Visitor, while at the same time benefiting the local communities. Other activities to promote the Rwenzori Mountain included a Mountain climbing experience by several models and media.

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Summary of Major Achievements for the Year 2014:

As partner we would like to share with you some of the successes scored in the year 2014 in pursuance of the ECOTRUST mission 'To Conserve biological diversity and enhance social welfare by promoting innovative and sustainable environmental management' and our goal 'To Provide Sustained funding for conservation in Uganda'.

Thirty - seven (37) capacity building training sessions for Farmers in preparation for recruitment were conducted at all sites (5 Bushenyi, 5 Kasese, 4 Mt. Elgon, 12 EBA training, 5 Hoima & 6 Masindi).

Training of Trainers for farmer mobilizers and District Local Government Staff

Recruitment of a total of 351 farmers bringing 412.9ha of farmland under improved management using agroforestry. This brings the total land under improved managed through the project to 4,135ha & 3328 farmers.

Sale of 178,809 tCO2 certificates to various buyers. The current sales are the highest since the project inception and they bring the total number of certificates sold over the years to 703.666 tCO2

Monitoring of 701 old farmers at all sites (391 in Bushenyi, 91 Kasese, 65 in Mt. Elgon, 66 Hoima and 88 Masindi)

Initiated a partnership with IIED to develop strategies to streamline monitoring in community carbon projects.

Developed a new business plan for Trees for Global Benefit as part of the SEED Award support

With support from Myclimate and ZeroMission, we have launched the distribution of Solvatten Solar Water Heating technology in Mitoma, Hoima, Rubirizi and Tororo resulting into the sale of 588 units

With supported UNDP TACC project, ECOTRUST conducted Capacity building for artisans to participate in the distribution and promotion of MayiSitovu - Energy - Saving Wood Stoves. It consists of an insulated liner which enables efficient thermal combustion of fuel wood resulting in faster smokeless cooking.

In partnership with IUCN & Environmental Alert, we launched a Programme on Rights - Based Approached to REDD focusing on gender and pro-poor approaches. This has been supported by DANIDA. We also participated in various gender& REDD discussions facilitated by USAID.

Completed the Design of the ECOTRUST Endowment Trust Fund, which will be an important part of ECOTRUST's operations, providing a financial foundation to give ECOTRUST added stability, a greater degree of independence and enhanced ability to achieve its mission.

With support from UNDP, ECOTRUST Initiated the design of a Payment for Environmental Services Fund, to be managed as a revolving fund that purchases PES credits from farmers who adopt Ecosystem - Based Adaptation Practices that also provide carbon sequestration and watershed services. The fund will sell these credits on the voluntary market to generate sustainable income, recapitalize itself and expand farmer participation in the program

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The 2015 Work Plan focuses on the following:

1) Pilot the use of the PES Fund to support Ecosystem - Based Adaptation.This project is supported by UNDP Uganda country office.

2) Grants management in support for small infrastructure necessary for Ecosystem-Based Adaptation.This project is supported by UNDP Uganda Country Office.

3) Establish a tourism programme at Rwenzori Gateway based on community - based ecological monitoring of the Rwenzoris in collaboration

with Uganda Wildlife Authority, Ruboni Community, Mountains of the Moon University, Geolodges and other tour operators. This has been

supported by the Waterloo Foundation.

4) Launch the Mobile Data Collection App. For collecting recruitment and monitoring data, which is automatically transmitted to the

database,tremendously reducing the amount of time involved in processing farmer information.

5) Recruit farmers to put at least 500ha multiple smallholdings of agricultural land under improved management under the Trees for Global

Benefit.

6) Support to the strengthening of land tenure as an incentive for improved land management.

7) To generate and sell at least 100,000tCO2 certificates of emission reductions

8) Complete the registration of MayiSitovu carbon project under the Gold Standards

9) Scale - up the distribution of Solvatten Units to include Eastern and Northern Uganda

10) Pilot the Pro Poor & Rights - Based Approaches to REDD in partnership with IUCN, Environmental Alert and DANIDA

11) Finalise the design and pilot the Improved Forest Management REDD project for Ongo & Alimugonza community forest

12) Build capacity for Partners within and outside Uganda in the establishment and management of community carbon schemes

13) Develop an investment plan for ECOTRUST to grow its asset base

14) Launch the capitalization & operationalization of the Endowment Trust and PES Trust Funds

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

As part of the process of establishing an endowment fund, ECOTRUST is seeking applications from very dynamic self - driven professionals to join its team in the positions below:

a) Programme Manager

b) Accountant

c) Communication & Public Relations Officer

d) Project Officer - Rwenzori Gateway

Details can be found on the ECOTRUST Facebook Page. Deadline for submission is 21st February 2015.

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About ECOTRUST

The Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST) is a non - governmental environmental conservation organization established in 1999. ECOTRUST has developed a valued niche in 'conservation finance' and pursued relentlessly a clear vision of 'a healthy environment with prosperous people' and a mission,' to conserve natural resources and enhance social welfare by promoting innovative and sustainable environment management in Uganda.'

ECOTRUST's core values of' accountability and transparency in all our dealings, Creating value for our stakeholders, Pursuit of excellence and continuous improvement, Commitment to personal integrity, creating a culture of teamwork' remain the jealously protected business principles of the organization, guiding all business decisions and entire management ethics.

ECOTRUST Board of Trustees
NAME		Position
Mr. Isaac Kapalaga		Chairman
Mr. Jones Ruhombe		Treasurer
Ms. Norah Namakambo		Trustee
Ms. Rachel A Odoi		Trustee
Dr. Pantaleon Kasoma		Trustee
Dr. Emmanuel Kasimbazi		Trustee
Ms. Mary Kusambiza		Trustee
Dr. Peter Ngategize		Trustee
Dr. Nansozi Muwanga		Trustee
Ms. Pauline Nantongo Kalunda		Secretary
ECOTRUST Secretariat
Pauline Nantongo Kalunda	Executive Director
Stephen Kigoolo	Programme Coordinator - Land Trust & Grants
Rose Mugide Kubirabe	Finance & Administration Manager
Annet Night Ssempala	Programme Coordinator - Environmental Services
Adrine Kirabo Kamuhanda	Programme Coordinator - Hoima and Masindi
Gladys Tumwebaze	Administrative Assistant - Masindi
Lydia Kuganyirwa	Programme Coordinator - Kasese
Miriam Kajumba	Administrative Assistant - Kasese
Lillian Kiguli	Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Officer
Jackie Kigozi	Administration Officer
Margaret Nassolo Kalema	Accounts Assistant

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +256-312 266419 OR +256-414 322573.

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