About Us
Sustainable Livelihoods International Uganda (SLINT-Uganda) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to the eradication of poverty and hunger and protection of the environment in Uganda. It is registered under the NGO Registration Statute of 1989 and as a non-profit company limited by guarantee and with no share capital, under the Companies Act (Cap.85) of Uganda. Its membership comprises individuals and corporate bodies. SLINT-Uganda is part of a network of non-governmental organizations that share a common vision of promoting sustainable communities where all people equitably enjoy a high quality of life and live in harmony with nature.
SLINT-Uganda seeks to contribute to the realization of the Millennium Development Goals, particularly Goal 1 on the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger and Goal 7 on ensuring environmental sustainability. Some of its activities aimed at addressing these two goals also contribute to the attainment of the other MDGs.
SLINT-Uganda puts emphasis on promoting the adoption of appropriate technologies (such as solar and wind power, biogas, rainwater harvesting) and environmentally-sound livelihood activities (such as bee-keeping, sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, fish farming and others), which allow people to continuously harness nature to meet their needs without undermining the integrity and long-term productivity of the supporting natural resource base and the environment. It stresses key sustainable development principles, concepts and practices including: ecological diversity, integrated land use, sustainable agriculture, energy efficiency and pollution control.
Our History
SLINT-Uganda was founded in 2005 by a group of Ugandan professionals in response to to the growing poverty, hunger and environmental degradation in Uganda and Africa in general. Its establishment was particularly prompted by the disappointing findings contained in a 2005 report prepared by the United Nations Secretary-General regarding the progress made towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and targets. The report noted that many parts of the world, particularly in Africa, made limited progress. The report emphasized the need to ensure that the MDGs are localized and tailored to the national and local priorities. It also highlighted the urgent need to translate the good policy ideals into practical solutions through implementation of on-ground activities and linking policy with on-ground actions. SLINT-Uganda was founded to make a contribution in this regard.
Our Philosophy
SLINT believes that through the adoption of appropriate technologies, sound policies and positive attitudes, it is possible for people to overcome absolute poverty and hunger without degrading or destroying the supporting natural resources and environment. Socio-economic well-being and poverty alleviation should be pursued while at the same time safeguarding the long-term sustainability of the environment. It should not be a case of either development or the environment.
SLINT promotes the concept of sustainable livelihoods as a goal, approach and guiding operational framework for its activities and programmes. The term livelihood refers to what people do to earn a living and the means and assets they use (including: physical, financial and social capital; natural resources, knowledge and skills, technologies and income-generating opportunities).
A livelihood is sustainable when it:
- allows people to meet their needs and at the same time maintain the diversity, vitality and long-term productivity of the supporting environment;
- is able to cope with and recover easily from environmental and socio-economic stresses and shocks; and
- does not foreclose future opportunities or undermine the options for others to make a living, both now and in the future.
The concept of sustainable livelihoods is premised on ensuring an appropriate balance between social, economic and environmental objectives. It seeks to mutually foster economic well-being, social security and equity and ecological diversity and integrity. Improving people's livelihoods in a sustainable manner also involves: ensuring that people have equitable and secure access to resources and opportunities; that livelihood strategies (activities, choices and lifestyles) are socially, economically and environmentally coherent; and that people's vulnerability to environmental and socio-economic stresses are minimised.
