Prepared and presented By Racheal Nalule -Program officer, Environmental Alert, during the 2nd Uganda Water and Environment Week (UWEWK) Conference at WRI-MWE, Entebbe (18th –22ndMarch, 2019) The idea of strengthening CSOs and Networks coordination and reporting mechanisms stemmed from the realization of the underlying key challenges limiting sustainable access and utilization of renewable energy at both national and sub-national levels. These include:  Weak coordination among CSOs and networks in the renewable energy sub-sector;  Inadequate capacity (both technical and financial) of CSOs and networks to effectively engage in policy dialogue regarding sustainable and renewable energy development at national, sub-national and local level is;  Absence of a strong civil society voice and convening power to ably hold government and renewable energy industry players accountable for decisions and practices towards sustainable and renewable energy delivery.  Limited access to policy and decision making space by the renewable energy CSOs and networks to engage and contribute

1. Advancing Civil Society Organisations and Networks
coordination for contribution to effective Renewable Energy
Policy formulation and implementation in Uganda.
Prepared and presented By Racheal Nalule -Program officer,
Environmental Alert, during the 2nd Uganda Water and
Environment Week (UWEWK) Conference at WRI-MWE,
Entebbe (18th –22nd March, 2019)
Email: po.energy@envalert.org
Co authors: Kamoga Arafa and Dr. Joshua Zake (PhD)
Corresponding author’s email: ed@envalert.org or
joszake@gmail.com

2. Outline of the presentation
1) Background/Context
2) Justification
3) Transition process to the Network formation
4) Key achievements
5) Key emerging issues
6) Conclusion
7) Recommendation
8) Future outlook
9) Acknowledgement
10) About the National Renewable Energy CSO Network
11) About Environmental Alert

3. 1. Background/Context
The idea of strengthening CSOs and Networks coordination and reporting
mechanisms stemmed from the realization of the underlying key challenges
limiting sustainable access and utilization of renewable energy at both national
and sub-national levels. These include:
 Weak coordination among CSOs and networks in the renewable energy sub-sector;
 Inadequate capacity (both technical and financial) of CSOs and networks to effectively
engage in policy dialogue regarding sustainable and renewable energy development
at national, sub-national and local level is;
 Absence of a strong civil society voice and convening power to ably hold government
and renewable energy industry players accountable for decisions and practices
towards sustainable and renewable energy delivery.
 Limited access to policy and decision making space by the renewable energy CSOs
and networks to engage and contribute

4. 2. Justification
Why effective coordination arrangements for CSOs and networks in the renewable energy sector
 As part of efforts to address the energy challenge, Environmental Alert took a lead role to
mobilize and organize CSOs in renewable energy into a National network with clear and
shared goals, objectives and programs.
 Envisaging that such arrangements will make CSOs’ engagement and reporting to the
Government much easier and helps Government to provide better guidance to the CSOs
thereby avoiding unnecessary duplication of efforts.
 For advancing structured and continuous value adding engagements by CSOs to influence
implementation of renewable energy policies at all scales to deliver of the sustainable energy
all targets.

5. 3. Transition process to the Network formation
 In 2018, the Civil Society Organizations & networks agreed to establish the National network for civil
society engaging on renewable energy called, ‘National Renewable Energy Civil Society Organizations
Network, ‘as a coordination mechanism for reporting, joint & structured advocacy engagements among
other interests.
 Method/approach: The approach used involved consultations with 10 selected representatives of CSOs &
Networks in the renewable energy sub-sector as key informants; line Government Agencies and
Development Partners.
 The collected views and ideas were synthesized into the different scenarios for coordination and
presented during the workshop for further discussion and validation.
 The outcome of these engagements informed the CSOs decision and agreed to form a loose semi-
formal National Network for the civil society organizations in Renewable energy currently hosted by
Environmental Alert.
 This initiative was implemented with support through the Clean Energy Project framework, implemented
by Environmental Alert in partnership with WWF-Uganda Country Office with financial support from
NORAD.
 The network membership composition includes individuals, institutions, CSOs and Networks engaged in
Renewable Energy.
 Conducted research studies, assessments, stakeholder validation workshops and policy dialogues at
national levels.

6. 4. Key achievements
Some of the key achievements delivered through this process include:
 Establishment of the National Renewable Energy CSO network for structured coordination,
reporting and joint engagements
 A Consolidated Renewable Energy CSOs and Networks Annual Performance Report, FY 2017/18
and Position Paper, FY 2017/18 based on 28 Civil Society Organizations highlighting their
contribution to sector development. These invested a total amount of USD 20,725,238 in the sector;
 A Civil Society Organizations position paper on Renewable energy with key emerging issues and
targeted recommendations was developed and submitted to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral
Development for consideration during the National Energy Policy review and development;
 Study Report & position paper on Financing& investment in Renewable energy;
 A Civil Society Organizations & Network’s advocacy strategy for advancing access to clean
renewable energy was developed and is being implemented;
 Furthermore, as part of institutional development, a CSOs capacity assessment Report and related
Capacity building plan developed, ready for implementation moving forward.
 Enhanced awareness on renewable energy issues through targeted awareness and national data
driven awareness campaigns – interactive radio programs.

7. 5. Key emerging issues
 The Network does not have a Memorandum of Principles and governance structures to guide
and inform day to day operations of the Network;
 CSOs still have a number of capacity gaps in advocacy work that need to be addressed;
 The limited space for participation of the CSOs in the annual Joint sector review processes for
the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development;
 The current policy review processes in the Energy sector. This is an opportunity for CSOs to
engage and participate to give their recommendation.
 The Net does not have a strategic plan.

8. 6. Conclusion
 The National Renewable Energy Civil Society Organizations Network has the potential for
pursuing its policy advocacy engagements with a common voice to influence policy processes.
7. Recommendations
 There is need for both technical and financial support from other likeminded
strategic stakeholders and partners for effective coordination and reporting in the
Renewable energy sub sector;
 There is need for opening up spaces and increase CSOs participation in the Joint
sector review processes.

9. 8. Future outlook
 Continuous policy engagement for a conducive policy environment for renewable
energy access and sustainable utilization;
 Ensuring that individuals, institutions, CSOs and Networks engaged in Renewable Energy
progressively develop capacity in policy analysis, advocacy and independent
monitoring;
 Developing the Memorandum of Principles (MoP) and setting of the Networks
governance structures which will be approved during the Network’s 1st General
Assembly;
 Development of the Network’s strategic plan. These engagements will be implemented
by bringing on board other likeminded strategic stakeholders and partners for technical
and financial support;
 The implementation of the capacity building plan for the Network will further enhance
skills and knowledge in lobbying and advocacy.
These engagements will be implemented by bringing on board other likeminded strategic
stakeholders and partners for technical and financial support.

10. 9. Acknowledgements
 Appreciation is extended to WWF and NORAD for the financial support towards this initiative within the
framework of the project titled, ‘Increasing access to sustainable and renewable energy alternatives in
the Albertine Graben.
 We would like to thank all CSOs and Networks in Renewable energy at both national and sub national
level.
 Special thanks to the Ministry of Water and Environment and the Ministry of Energy & Mineral
Development for providing the necessary information and guidance in some of the Network
engagements.
Key References
http://envalert.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/popular-version-of-the-reprot-on-strengtheneing-coordination-for-
RECSOs.pdf
http://envalert.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/RECSOs-Position-FWD-14Feb2019.pdf
http://envalert.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/RECSO-Consolidated-Annual-Performance-Report-14Feb2019.pdf

11. 10. About the National Renewable Energy CSO Network
 The National Renewable Energy CSO Network is a loose semi-formal Network that brings together civil
society organizations, academic institutions, individuals and Networks engaged in the promotion and
development of activities and practices in the Renewable energy sub sector at all levels (i.e. national,
local, sub-regional and community).
 These CSOs and Networks are currently being mobilized and coordinated by EA for structured
engagements with Government through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
Objectives of the Network
a. To advocate for promotion, compliance and accountability of government with respect to its policy
commitments and private sector activities;
b. To ensure that individuals, institutions, CSOs and Networks engaged in Renewable energy progressively
develop capacity in policy analysis, advocacy and independent monitoring;
c. To engage in policy lobbying for conducive policy environment for renewable energy access and
sustainable utilization.
Scale of Network outreach
 Currently, the Network has a total of 36 profiled CSOs and Networks at national level and 90 NGOs and
CBOs are engaging at the sub-regional level across 20 districts in the Albertine Rift including: Kasese,
Bushenyi, Rubirizi, Mitooma, Rukingiri, Kabarole, Kisoro, Bundibugyo, Masindi, Hoima, Buliisa, Kagadi,
Kyenjojo, Ntoroko, Arua, Nebbi, Koboko, Moyo, Adjumani and Maracha districts.

12. 11. About Environmental Alert
Environmental Alert was founded in 1988 and is officially registered Non
Government Organization with board. Thus, in 2018 – EA made 30 years of
contribution to food security and sustainable environment and natural
resources management in Uganda.
Environmental Alert is a 1st prize winner of the Energy globe award for
environmental sustainability- 2005 under the category, earth.
Environmental Alert is a member of the International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN) and a Member of The IUCN National Committee for Uganda.
Environmental Alert envisions, ‘Resilient and dignified communities, managing
their environment and natural resources sustainably.’
Environmental Alert’s mission is to, ‘Contribute to improved livelihoods of
vulnerable communities by Enhancing agricultural productivity and
sustainable natural resources management.
Further information about Environmental Alert is available at: http://envalert.org/
Thank you for listening. For God and my County.
Environmental Alert hosts Secretariat for
following networks:
a) The Network for Civil Society
Organizations in Environment &
Natural Resources Sector (ENR-CSO
Network) http://enr-cso.org/ ;
b) Uganda Forestry Working Group
http://ufwg.envalert.org/;
c) The Standards Development Group;
and
d) Promoting Local Innovation in
ecologically oriented agriculture and
natural resources management
(PROLINNOVA-Uganda Network)
http://www.prolinnova.net/uganda.