,The Grassroot Development Organization (GDO) is a Rwandan non-governmental organization having its head office in Kigali; it was issued a Ministerial Order N0: 24/08.11 of 03/2012 and was published in the Official Gazette, No: 19 of 07 may 2012, and finally, GDO was issued a CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB).

Background
Grassroot Development Organization(GDO) is the pioneer, Non-Government Organization in Rwanda, and was founded in 2012. Its mandates relate to Natural Resource Management (NRM), climate change and resilience, biodiversity conservation, poverty alleviation, environmental and social assessment, capacity building, community mobilization for empowerment, and sustainable development through research, information exchange and undertaking projects and programs implementation. GDO has highly experienced and multidisciplinary professionals to achieve its mandates.

The organization was formed mainly to conserve the environment, ecosystems and choosing solutions that are sustainable and which take into account for human needs; protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people, understanding the internal relationship of various natural resources, assessment of resource requirement and planning of resource management by helping the government to obtain relevant information for promoting and facilitate the implementation of major environmental programmes; Grassroot Development Organization(GDO) plays an important role in community development by assisting communities in developing their social, capital, and human resources; enhancing knowledge and skills; encouraging people to take part in activities and acting as a link between communities and government systems.

GDO will play a critical part in developing society, improving community’s welfare and promoting citizen participation in developmental activities

GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP OF GDO
The general assembly which is composed of (6) founder members and (6) individuals invited on basis of adequate professional experiences in areas of relevance for GDO and that makes the total number of (12) members of the general assembly.

General Assembly is responsible for overall policy decisions.
Executive Committee is responsible for guiding and overseeing GDO's program implementation.

Internal Audit Committee, Conflict Resolution, are all responsible for program planning, proper funds management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

Chairperson/Legal Representative, Executive Members, Audit Committee, Advisory Committee & Experts, The Programs Manager who serves as secretary to the General Assembly during the formulation for policy and supervision during implementation of programs.

Secretariat:

The Head office is based in Kayonza District Eastern Province.

The secretariat is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of policy and programs of GDO

And the Program Manager is supported by the Field Coordinators.

Personnel:

Currently, GDO has over (5) full time employees (3 Male and 2 Female)

Additionally, over 6 community agents who are serving GDO on voluntary bases.

OUR COVERAGE:
GDO's geographical coverage is Gatsibo District, Kayonza, Kirehe, Nyagatare, Bugesera and
Rwamagana Districts of Eastern Province of Rwanda. These areas are reached by sustainable farming
and natural resource management, development training and research, formal and non formal education
and community health awareness.
The Direct beneficiaries of our programs are vulnerable community, women, youth who re working in hazardous conditions.

OUR VISION

A world where deliberate actions are taken to preserve biodiversity, establish a national sustainable process to strengthen and promote the conservation, community and sustainable development.

OUR MISSION

To enhance biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of natural resources; through supporting conservation, climate change education and promotion of conservation actions, promoting sustainable development, improving citizen’s welfare and to see its target area with well-protected environment inhabited by dignified people having sustainable livelihoods.

Major Program Interventions of GDO are:

• Environmental education, conservation and rehabilitation.
• Food security and Livelihood Development.
• Capacity building and social development of community mainly women and youth
• Rural community economic support and enterprise development   
• Environmental Education includes creating awareness through community discussion, intensive trainings and workshops about the need and ways of environmental protection for all stakeholders including community, private sector, government bodies and students.
• Environmental Conservation and Rehabilitation incorporates promotion of integratedenvironmental activities carried out through the participation of different stakeholders.

• GDO, Community schools, Farmers Group and Private Nurseries) like re-afforestation of degraded areas by planting trees, enabling regeneration of natural vegetation by closing degraded areas and homesteads.
• Environmental advocacy includes mobilizing and networking with organization and groups with same mind to push environmental issues to better policy and decision makers.

Objectives:

Designing and implementing life changing development programs and livelihood schemes that alleviate environmental degradation, climatic change risks and deepening poverty in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to ensure holistic sustainable development.

• Promoting environmentally sustainable, modern and highly productive agricultural activities (agro-forestry, backyard development, improved animal husbandry, Apiculture),
• Eco-friendly businesses (like ecotourism) and better product marketing schemes.
• Introducing and supporting feasible income generation schemes for women and other vulnerable community members to ensure economic empowerment
• Participating in disaster early warning, relief and rehabilitation activities undertaking natural resource conservation (re-afforestation, area closure and woodlot) and introducing appropriate technologies for generating household energy.

• Strengthen technical capacities for cooperatives through trainings, on different techniques used in establishing and managing of natural resources and community participation for sustainable development.
• Information dissemination, education and communication on natural resources conservation and management.
• Organizing educational meetings and seminars on conservation, biodiversity, ecosystem health, water and sanitation, agriculture, environment and promotion of partnership at different levels.
• Establishment of a coordination structure of different actors involved in urban areas structuring for ornamental tree species provision and aesthetic purposes (Ornamental trees along roads, homesteads, designated urban green spaces.
• To establish and implement strategies and mechanisms for property based conflicts management in the natural resources
• Follow-up of regional and international considerations, agreements and conventions linked with environment and natural resources.
• Build a conservation database which can constitute a reliable and convenient source of information for research, planning and evaluation in Rwanda and the regions
• Enhance community agro-forestry for rural transformation to ensure food security.
• Combat climate change through increasing the carbon sequestration and stock using trees planting in all land use forms, encouraging the use of other sources of energy, application of new appropriate technologies.
• To enhance watershed management, rainwater harvesting (Eco-village) and utilization technologies as climate change adaptation mechanisms.
• The beneficiaries of the organization are Rwandan citizens, civil society/actors and regional citizens in general who will directly or indirectly be reached by the organizations activities,

  Organization’s philosophy

• Honesty, integrity, Transparency and accountability, confidentiality and equity,

• OUR Core values:

  We are consistent and transparent in our decisions and actions.

  We fulfil our commitments and conduct ourselves in a way that is true to our vision

   

• Dignity and respect, Courage, Collaboration, Inclusiveness, Diversity, Integrity, Compassion, professionalism and Integrity.

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  Action for  Sustainability:

  We act in a way that is sustainable for our organization and the community. Our decisions take into account the needs of future generations thus why we focus in their biodiversity education.

   

  Community Empowerment:

  We give value to communities we live in and work with. We believe that environmental health and community health go hand in hand. Therefore, our staff participate as members, leaders, and volunteers within our community.

   

  GDO’s Long Lasting relationships:

  We do everything we can to build sustainable and long term healthy relationships both inside and outside of our organization;

  We value partnerships and cooperation that support biodiversity conservation.

• OUR Guiding principles

  Law abiding, Loyalty, fairness, caring, respect and Sustainable use that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

   

  GDO main reasons why we conserve:

• Steady supply of environmentally friendly renewable energy.
• Carbon management toward low carbon society
• Optimizing energy consumation, detoxifying, émissions reduction and recycling waste by introduction of 3R Technology.
• Development of eco-friendly technologies
• To repair some of the damages done by humans and maintain the environment for future generations.
• To maintain species diversity for our benefit and that of wildlife.
• To provide opportunities for education, research and enjoyment of the environment.
• These NGOs fight for a more sustainable world by spreading information.

• Our four pillars of sustainability

• Human sustainability. Human sustainability aims to maintain and improve the human capital in society. ...
• Social sustainability; Social Sustainability and Inclusion focuses on the need to “put people first” in development processes. It promotes social inclusion of the poor and vulnerable by empowering people, building cohesive and resilient societies, and making institutions accessible and accountable to citizens.
• Economic sustainability; Economic sustainability refers to practices that support long-term economic growth without negatively affecting social, environmental, and cultural aspects of the community.

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  Environmental conservation activities

• Steady supply of environmentally friendly LNG and renewable energy.
• Carbon management toward low carbon society.
• Optimizing energy consumption, detoxifying, reducing and recycling emissions and waste.
• Development of eco-friendly technologies
• Sustainable programs
• Capacity building and social development of community mainly women and youth
• Environment Protection & Climate Change adaptation and land management
• Food security through agriculture and irrigation technology
• Hygiene and Sanitation and Physical Infrastructure for Sustainable Livelihoods
  Education and Vocational Training and skill development through waste recycling centers.

The major interventions include non-formal and basic education for adults and children, women economic empowerment schemes, community based risk management, livelihood diversifications (supporting small scale business schemes through petty trade, small ruminant development etc) and life skills trainings for the rural poor particularly women.

Rural community economic support and enterprise development, this includes the promotion and formation of self-help groups, agricultural, credit and saving scheme by technical, material and financial support during their formation and continuous monitoring.

Program strategies

• Full Community involvement at all levels
• Mainstreaming gender across programs and projects
• Networking with stakeholders
• Empowering participants in decision-making and management
• Passing on gifts
• Building the capacity of stakeholders.
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• Program Achievements

• Environmental Rehabilitation and Conservation

  The SFABE project in Gatsibo District eastern province, started in March 2015 with the aim of rehabilitating 500 ha of degraded forests; creating 3,000 ha woodlots for environmental protection, planting agroforestry on 15,000 ha for soil fertility and promoting improved cook-stoves in order to reduce pressure on forest resources.

  The project completed 500 (100%) ha of degraded forests, 1200 (100% after revision) ha of new woodlots and 15000 ha (100%) of Agro-forestry and supplied 19317 (100%) improved cook stoves

• Helping vulnerable communities in Kicukiro and Nyarugenge sectors hardly hit by COVID – 19 to mitigate its effects. The British High Commission Kigali for their enthusiastic heart of helping vulnerable communities through local organization, Distribution of Health and Hygiene Kits like Modern Hand washing station, Facemasks, Gloves, Sanitizers and Liquid soap was distributed in Kicukiro District and in Nyarugenge sectors. This event was attended by the delegates of the British High Commission Kigali and Nyarugenge District and Kicukiro.

• GDO: Role in attaining (SDGs)

• Grassroot Development Organization (GDO) is fighting for a more sustainable world by spreading information about climate change, supporting alternative energy research and sources, protecting the environment, encouraging sustainable conservation agricultural consumption and promoting more equal and sustainable lifestyles

• GDO: five pillars

• Contribute to the establishment of national strategies to strengthen and promote the conservation of natural resources and sustainable community development.
• In partnership with local government entities, actively participate in strengthening local associations in capacity building for natural resources conservation and management through trainings, information dissemination, discussions, educational meetings and seminars on different matters such as conservation, biodiversity, ecosystem health, water and sanitation, agriculture and environment, mass education and communication, watershed management, rainwater harvesting (Eco-village), etc.
• Vulgarization of community tree planting on different scales: ornamental, agro-forestry and forestry trees planting by farmers, schools, associations, etc.
• Contribute to the sensitization of community and decision makers on conservation programs, policy, law, and instructions in the matter.
• Advice community and decision makers on any negative actions leading to climate change and environmental crimes.

GOALS

1: No Poverty,
2: Zero Hunger,
3: Good Health and Well-being,
4: Quality Education,
5: Gender Equality,
6: Clean Water and Sanitation,
7: Affordable and Clean Energy and Goal 13 which is about climate action.
While all that we do is to support the achievement of ending poverty (SDG 1), gender equality (SDG 5)
sits at the heart of our programmatic ambitions and radiates throughout our work.

OUR FOCUS
GDO main focus is to tackles the underlying causes of poverty and social injustice in order to deliver
lasting change in the lives of poor and vulnerable Community.
We believe that at its root, poverty is caused by unequal power relations that result in inequitable
distribution of resources and opportunities between women and men, we put women youth and girls
in the center for all our activities, because we know that we cannot overcome poverty until all people
have equal rights and opportunities.
GDO provide social welfare through establishment of income generating activities and provision of skills
for sustainable livelihood and human development, improving the socio-economic status of most vulnerable Rwandan community.

OUR PRINCIPALS
Independent of political, ethnic or religious objectives, GDO promotes the protection of humanitarian space.
GDO's principles are aligned with those of many other humanitarian agencies world wide, and include:
(1)Promote empowerment,
(2) Work in partnership with other Organization
(3) Ensure accountability and promote responsibility,
(4)Promote the non-violent resolution of conflicts and to seek sustainable results.

GDO’s IMPACTED AREAS
GDO’s main impacted areas drive progress towards our overall goal to end poverty. We focus on these specific impact areas for two reasons. Firstly, because they are critical barriers to poverty reduction.

GENDER EQUALITY:
GDO has been working with partners to advance gender equality in Rwanda, by 2030, GDO’s overall aim is to support community of all genders to experience greater gender equality in their lives.

RIGHT TO FOOD, WATER & NUTRITION:
GDO draws on decades of work protecting and enhancing food, water and nutrition security for the most
vulnerable communities, the majority of them are women and girls, increase their fulfilment of their right
to adequate food, water and nutrition security.

OUR BELIEFS INCLUDE:

Equality:
We believe that all human beings should have equal access to opportunities and participation.
We believe that women and children have been Poor and therefore, we will deliberately work for benefit
of these categories of people in our society.

Integrity:
We believe in transparency and have zero-tolerance for corruption in our organization and in the process of doing our work.

OUR MANDATE;
We believe in making sure everyone, including the most disadvantaged, is involved in their community’s
development as a key pillar to reducing poverty.
Increasing participation of women, youth and their communities in decision-making regarding primary
health care and right issues.
To carry out activities in the fields of initiating programs and actions aimed at promoting lasting change in
their livelihoods.
To address issues aimed at preventing, life care and managing HIV/AIDS and the COVID-19 and other epidemic in communities, Develop sustainable mechanisms for promoting community participation and ownership for all the actions taken in their localities.

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PARTNERSHIP NEED:

GDO appreciates donations, missions in the field through volunteering, and other forms of collaboration. Your moral, material and financial contributions however small, will change the life of the vulnerable communities, and climate change adaptation.

GDD is seeking to partner with organizations, foundations, individuals, and corporations from anywhere in the world as well as with local and international volunteers with whom it can share experiences and jointly implement project, fundraising volunteers, and foreign representatives to join GDO so as to enable it to reach potential partners.

STRATEGIC AFFILIATIONS
Grassroot Development Organization has established the following relationships to enhance efficiency
and effectiveness in implementation of its mandate.
Works with several Government Departments like:
Rwanda Natural Resources Authority (RNRA)
Rwanda Water and Forestry Authority (RWFA)
Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA)
Rwanda Water Authority (RWA)
Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA)
Ministry of Environment (MoE)
Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC)

THE PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED BY:

 GRASSROOT DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION