Environmental Foundation for Africa
Encyclopedia
The Environmental Foundation for Africa (EFA) is a Sierra Leone
non-governmental organization
founded in 1992 that aims to protect and restore the environment in West Africa
.
For over 15 years, EFA has led environmental education
and awareness raising campaigns, restored degraded lands and conserved pristine forests, minimized the impacts of civil war on the environment and its inhabitants, and equipped thousands of people with sustainable livelihood skills such as agroforestry. Today EFA specialises is environmental awareness raising
and capacity building
at the national, regional and international levels using high impact communications tools and training programs to build an environmentally conscious society motivated to maintain the integrity of nature in Africa
.
EFA facilities community-led programmes for environmental restoration, conservation and sustainable livelihoods and provides training and support in sustainable agriculture and forest management, agro-forestry, energy conservation, sustainable income generation including eco-tourism, and rehabilitation of degraded natural resources.
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
non-governmental organization
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
founded in 1992 that aims to protect and restore the environment in West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
.
For over 15 years, EFA has led environmental education
Environmental education
Environmental education refers to organized efforts to teach about how natural environments function and, particularly, how human beings can manage their behavior and ecosystems in order to live sustainably. The term is often used to imply education within the school system, from primary to...
and awareness raising campaigns, restored degraded lands and conserved pristine forests, minimized the impacts of civil war on the environment and its inhabitants, and equipped thousands of people with sustainable livelihood skills such as agroforestry. Today EFA specialises is environmental awareness raising
Raising awareness
"Raising awareness" is a phrase that advocacy groups commonly use when promoting a particular issue, organization or event. Raising awareness refers to alerting the general public that a certain issue exists and should be approached the way the group desires...
and capacity building
Capacity building
Capacity building also referred to as capacity development is a conceptual approach to development that focuses on understanding the obstacles that inhibit people, governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations from realizing their developmental goals while enhancing...
at the national, regional and international levels using high impact communications tools and training programs to build an environmentally conscious society motivated to maintain the integrity of nature in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
.
History
EFA was founded in United Kingdom 1992 as the Environmental Foundation for Sierra Leone (ENFOSAL) and started implementation in Sierra Leone 1993. During the height of the war years, the organisation was established in Liberia under the current name Environmental Foundation for Africa (EFA) and has since 1999 restarted operations in Sierra Leone. EFA Sierra Leone (EFA-SL) is operating as the local partner to the international NGO EFA.Mission
EFA's mission is to restore and protect the environment. It operates primarily through environmental education and awareness raising, building up communities' and institutions' appreciation and understanding of environmental management and the impacts of environmental damage on lives and livelihoods.EFA facilities community-led programmes for environmental restoration, conservation and sustainable livelihoods and provides training and support in sustainable agriculture and forest management, agro-forestry, energy conservation, sustainable income generation including eco-tourism, and rehabilitation of degraded natural resources.
Strategy
- Raising awarenessRaising awareness"Raising awareness" is a phrase that advocacy groups commonly use when promoting a particular issue, organization or event. Raising awareness refers to alerting the general public that a certain issue exists and should be approached the way the group desires...
of environmental issues in all sectors of the populations in the West African region; - Working with other partners in the re-integration of returnee communities to minimise the negative environmental impacts of reconstruction and other recovery projects;
- Promoting sustainable livelihoods for environmental protection and conservation through community-based initiatives, such as eco-tourism;
- Providing technical assistance and advice on environmental issues in efforts to mainstream environmental interventions into all humanitarian and development work;
- Consolidating its operations in LiberiaLiberiaLiberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
, Gambia and Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneSierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
while advocating for a regional approach in addressing environmental problems in West AfricaWest AfricaWest Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
.
Environmental Awareness Raising
EFA raises awareness about the environment amongst communities, working with them to identify the environmental problems affecting their lives and livelihoods, and what they can do to conserve their natural resources for their future well-being.- Public events on a national scale. EFA organises public video shows, presentations and open days to spread information among the wider community on environmental issues and problems in their own surroundings. The approach is one of many, intended to encourage a more environmentally sound and sustainable way of living.
- Environmental Education in schools. EFA encourages schools and teachers to include environmental education in their extra-cirrucular teaching programme. EFA organises training for teachers and provides materials and books to enhance their capacity in the subject. EFA also facilitates the formation of environmental clubs in schools, conduct sessions when required and provide support for activities such as tree nursery establishment and school clean-ups.
- Community Actions. In the believe that sustainable development is only possible with full participation of all stakeholders, EFA works with communities to form environmental action groups and encourage the development of action plans for the environment.
Technical Assistance
EFA establishes community-led programmes for environmental protection and rehabilitation, providing training and practical assistance to enable communities to protect and repair their local environment and build sustainable livelihoods.- Environmental Impact Assessment. EFA conducts environmental impact assessmentEnvironmental impact assessmentAn environmental impact assessment is an assessment of the possible positive or negative impact that a proposed project may have on the environment, together consisting of the natural, social and economic aspects....
s to ensure the sound implementation of relief and development projects while providing valuable advice on sustainable management of the natural resources. - Reforestation and agroforestry. EFA facilitates training in the areas of forestry for reforestationReforestationReforestation is the natural or intentional restocking of existing forests and woodlands that have been depleted, usually through deforestation....
, establishment of woodlots and plantations. EFA also provides technical advice in agroforestryAgroforestryAgroforestry is an integrated approach of using the interactive benefits from combining trees and shrubs with crops and/or livestock.It combines agricultural and forestry technologies to create more diverse, productive, profitable, healthy and sustainable land-use systems.-Definitions:According to...
and sound farming practices. - Domestic energy conservation. EFA promotes the use of energy efficient cooking methods including the use of fuel efficient stoves. EFA also conducts training workshops to develop skills in manufacturing Eco-stoves.
Advocacy & Networking
EFA raises awareness about the effect various operations have on the environment, including training and advocacy among institutions, government and businesses working in relief, development and reconstruction.- Advocating for the Protection of Nature. EFA advocates for the protection of nature from community level to that of the Head of State. EFA works towards raising awareness among policy and decision makers about environmental issues and the impact economic and development activities have on the environment.
- Environmental Connections. EFA is linked to an extensive network of local and international agencies having a special interest in the environment. EFA supports in the best possible ways other agencies’ work in Sierra Leone and shares gathered information and experiences.
- Environmental Forum for Action in Sierra Leone. EFA has been promoting the formation of ENFORACENFORACThe Environmental Forum for Action is a coalition of 16 environmental non-governmental organisations, community groups and academic institutions that have come together as a united voice to protect and advocate for Sierra Leone’s natural resources....
, an Environmental Forum consisting of all agencies and institutions working or involved with the environment in Sierra Leone.
Geographic coverage
EFA is active in the following countries:- Sierra Leone - EFA works through the Environmental Forum for Action (ENFORAC) at the national policy level in Sierra Leone. The organization also manages two field sites – a nature preserve within the Western Area Peninsula Forest close to the capital, Freetown and Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary situated on the Moa River in southeastern Sierra Leone.
- Liberia - Active in BongBongA bong is a filtration device/apparatus generally used for smoking cannabis, tobacco,or other herbal substances.In construction and function a bong is similar to a hookah, except smaller and more portable...
, Grand Cape Mount, LofaLofa CountyLofa is a county in the northernmost portion of the West African nation of Liberia. One of 15 counties that comprise the first-level of administrative division in the nation, it has six districts. Voinjama serves as the capital with the area of the county measuring...
, Montserrado, and NimbaNimbaNimba is a name with several meanings:* Nimba Creations, a UK special effects company* Mount Nimba, a mountain along the border of Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea in West Africa* The Neem tree is sometimes called Nimba* Nimba County in Liberia...
counties, EFA conducts environmental education and livelihood training in tree nursery management, agroforestry, and domestic energy conservation with an emphasis on war-affected populations. EFA is a member of the Alliance for Conservation in Liberia which aims to protect the key species and ecosystems in Liberia by harmonizing activities among international and Liberian NGOs. - Regional - EFA is a member of the Green Actors of West AfricaGreen Actors of West AfricaGreen Actors of West Africa is a network of environmental organizations from West Africa created in 2005. The goal of GAWA Network is to develop ways of enhancing cooperation and coordination between and among the various donors and environmental actors in this sub-African region.The geographic...
(GAWA) network which brings together national environmental coalitions from across the region to draw attention to and provide solutions for environmental issues affecting West Africa. EFA hosts the secretariat and is the interim coordinating agency of the GAWA network. - Ireland and United Kingdom - EFA Trustees support EFA by fundraising, providing strategic guidance on project development and institutional planning. EFA is conducting targeted advocacy and awareness campaigns in Europe.
Current projects
- Management, Tourism and Research on Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary. After rebuilding the island’s tourism and research infrastructure and building community support for the Wildlife Sanctuary, EFA supports community development for the communities who own Tiwai IslandTiwai IslandTiwai Island is a wildlife sanctuary and tourist site in Sierra Leone. Run by the non-governmental organization Environmental Foundation for Africa, Tiwai is 12 square kilometers in area and located on the Moa River in the Southern Province...
. - Regional Focal Point Initiative. The Netherlands Committee of IUCN (IUCN NL) works through EFA to improve the quality and impact of its small grants programme in West Africa. EFA provides in-region technical support to IUCN NL’s small grants unit and enhances synergy among grantees including boosting the voice of these NGOs. The GAWA networkGreen Actors of West AfricaGreen Actors of West Africa is a network of environmental organizations from West Africa created in 2005. The goal of GAWA Network is to develop ways of enhancing cooperation and coordination between and among the various donors and environmental actors in this sub-African region.The geographic...
, an informal alliance of national environmental coalitions, benefits from training and networking opportunities supported by the Regional Focal Point Initiative. - Socially and Environmentally Responsible Mining in Sierra Leone EFA coordinates a participatory analysis of social, environmental and economic variables related to large scale commercial rutileRutileRutile is a mineral composed primarily of titanium dioxide, TiO2.Rutile is the most common natural form of TiO2. Two rarer polymorphs of TiO2 are known:...
and bauxiteBauxiteBauxite is an aluminium ore and is the main source of aluminium. This form of rock consists mostly of the minerals gibbsite Al3, boehmite γ-AlO, and diaspore α-AlO, in a mixture with the two iron oxides goethite and hematite, the clay mineral kaolinite, and small amounts of anatase TiO2...
mining activities in the MoyambaMoyambaMoyamba is the capital and largest city of Moyamba District, in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone, with a population of 11,485 in the 2004 census. The city is about 48 miles southeast of the capital, Freetown. The population of the city is ethnically diverse although the Mende people make up...
and BontheBontheBonthe is a town located on Sherbro Island in Bonthe District of the southern Province of Sierra Leone. The town had a population of 9,535 in the 2004 census, with a current estimate of 10,206. In colonial times it used to be a major trading centre for piassava and other agricultural products...
Districts of southwest Sierra Leone. The study includes local organizations, communities, mining company representatives and academia and draws attention to the wider landscape services the naturally vegetation provides and investigates rehabilitation schemes using locally provided native plants. The results of the study inform a longer term project to test novel and practical conservation strategies following mining operations beginning in November 2006 with support from the Darwin InitiativeDarwin InitiativeThe Darwin Initiative is a UK Government funding program that aims to assist countries with rich biodiversity but poor financial resources to meet their objectives under the Convention on Biological Diversity ; the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ;...
. - Environmental Education and Capacity Building with Refugees and internally displaced peoples in Liberia. Mass migration, refugees and internally displaced peoples resulting from war puts pressure on environments that were hitherto supporting far fewer people and require environmental management to reduce the impacts on the environment which irreparably harm vital ecosystems and disadvantage already threatened populations that rely on them.
- Chairpersonship of the Environmental Forum for Action (ENFORACENFORACThe Environmental Forum for Action is a coalition of 16 environmental non-governmental organisations, community groups and academic institutions that have come together as a united voice to protect and advocate for Sierra Leone’s natural resources....
). ENFORAC aims to bring about unity in action to influence policy, management, donor agendas and behaviour at a national level.
Resources
EFA manages a video production center, library and Internet café. Partners from across the region use these resources to create video documentaries and other products to advocate for environmental issues.Funding
EFA is supported by:- The Critical Ecosystem Partnership FundCritical Ecosystem Partnership FundCritical Ecosystem Partnership Fund is a global program that provides provides funding and technical assistance to nongovernmental organizations and other private sector partners to protect critical ecosystems. They focus on biodiversity hotspots, the Earth's biologically richest yet most...
- The Development Corporation Ireland
- The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
- IUCN NL
- Stichting Vluchteling - The Dutch Refugee Agency