Community Empowerment for Rural Development (CEFORD) is a registered non-profit indigenous NGO established in 2000, operating across all districts in the West Nile region of Uganda. With its Head Office in Arua and unit offices in Nebbi, Zombo, Koboko, Yumbe, Moyo, and Adjumani, CEFORD focuses on building resilience among disadvantaged women, men, youth, and children. Guided by its vision of “An Empowered Poverty Free Society” and core values of mutual respect, equity, transparency, accountability, and participation, CEFORD’s 2024–2028 strategic priorities include food security, education, women and youth empowerment, governance, humanitarian response, and community health in a clean, safe environment.
CEFORD has experience in implementing gender-responsive projects using innovative tools like the Gender Action Learning System (GALS) to promote inclusive decision-making and economic empowerment. Notable projects include GENVAD and Empower@Scale, implemented with Oxfam and funded by IFAD, which strengthened women’s leadership in value chains and household planning. Other impactful project include the Step Up! Project, ARADU PI FUR, and WAYREP, which integrated gender equality, GBV prevention, and youth empowerment. Currently, the BRIDGE Project, supported by Mastercard Foundation, is skilling youth across five districts in West Nile (Yumbe, Terego, Madi Okollo, Adjumani, Obongi). These Projects have enhanced gender outcomes and continue to inform CEFORD’s gender and development work.
With support from Wood en daad as part of LEAD Program, CEFORD is SEED4You (Skills for Employment and Economic Development for Youth) project, which aimed at addressing youth unemployment challenges in Terego and Yumbe Districts. Targeting both refugee (60%) and host (40%) youth—with 60% of beneficiaries being women—the project focuses on providing 1,000 young people, including 50 with disabilities, with vocational skills, business development support, and access to financial services. CEFORD will deliver market-driven training, private sector linkages, and support the formation of Youth-Led Community Managed Savings Groups (CMSGs), fostering financial inclusion and deepening among informal groups. The project aligns with the LEAD Program by promoting inclusive education, skills development, and employment in refugee-hosting areas. Through monitoring and stakeholder engagement, SEED4You is positioned to create sustainable livelihoods and empower marginalized groups, especially women, to overcome economic and social barriers, contributing meaningfully to long-term development and stability in the region.
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