PALLISA CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS’ NETWORK (PACONET)
P. O. Box 18 Pallisa, Katukei Road, Pallisa Town Council: E-mail: paconetco@yahoo.com
BACKGROUND
Pallisa civil society organizations’ Network (PACONET) was established in September 2000. It is a Network of CBO’s, NGO’s, FBO’s and other development actors operating in Pallisa and Budaka districts in the areas of Health, Education, Income Generation Activities, Agriculture, Gender, Human Rights, Good Governance, Environmental Conservation and the marginalized groups etc.
WHY WAS IT FORMED?
PACONET was formed as a result of the CBO’s, NGO’s, and FBO’s emerging in Pallisa and Budaka districts with limited coordination and collaboration. However, different players had over the years been operating in isolation with little impact. Realizing this, different civil society organizations in Pallisa and Budaka districts came together to form PACONET. The purpose is therefore to develop strong common positions for addressing poverty through sharing of information, experiences, dissemination, networking, synergy building, linkages, partnerships, and collaboration.
VISION
A self reliant community with core values of justice and equity to ensure a life of dignity.
MISSION
Working with partners to assist poor communities overcome the injustices and inequities that cause poverty and discrimination.
OBJECTIVES
1. To compile and maintain a comprehensive directory of all NGOs and CBOs in the district and keep database of information about the Network with a view of disseminating it to member CSOs and to other interest stakeholders.
2. To plan, co-ordinate training and technical assistance in Pallisa and Budaka districts for the purpose of improving management capabilities and effectiveness of members CSOs.
3. To promote policy and human rights advocacy for sustainable development in the two districts.
4. To evolve ways and means of ensuring the socio-economic development recovery of Pallisa and Budaka districts and in particular, address reduction of poverty in the rural and urban areas.
5. To organize fora and encourage networking and partnership where all members CSOs can share information and develop capacity of various skills in order to achieve their respective and well set objectives.
6. To link consultations and co-operation with Uganda government /local government, non-governmental organizations and government agencies in the field of overseas aid and research in the district to enable the members to fulfill their developmental goals.
7. To promote and encourage research among the members CSOs in areas of development and policy advocacy.
NETWORK STRUCTURE
(a) General Assembly
The General Assembly is the supreme body of the Network. It determines the general policy and the strategic direction. It’s composed of representatives from the member organizations.
(b) Executive Committee
The Executive committee is composed of 9 persons elected by the General Assembly. Their role is to oversee the planning and implementation of the Network activities and ensure conformity the agreed strategies
(c) The Secretariat
This is the coordinating component headed by the Coordinator that is responsible for the day-to-day running of the network and report to the executive committee.
DELIVERY MECHANISM
Mobilize synergy and resources within member organizations
Ensure the promotion of communication across linkages
Ensure a flow of ideas and experiences across individuals
Enable dialogue between members and its members
PROGRAMME AREAS
1. Information sharing, exchange and Networking.
2. Institutional and organizational development
3. Human rights and good governance
WHAT DO WE DO AS A NETWORK?
- We raise public awareness and understanding on Government development programmes
- We offer capacity building to member organizations to be able to effectively advocate, lobby and dialogue with different stakeholders in addressing poverty.
- We organize fora for member organizations and other stakeholders to share information on different development concerns to elist practical solutions for improved service delivery to civil society.
- We provide an opportunity for stakeholders/marginalized people to freely communicate with the local and central government on development policy, implementation strategies for better service delivery.
- We play a crucial role in coordination of monitoring of government programmes/projects to ensure qualitative service delivery.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership to the network is open and voluntary to all CSO’s CBO’s NGO’s operating in Pallisa and Budaka districts without prejudice to religion, race or political affiliation as long as they subscribe to the objectives and values of the Network. A membership fee of Ug Shs 10,000 and an annual subscription fee of Ug Shs 10,000/= is applicable for local membership. There are three categories of membership.
ORDINARY MEMBERS:
These comprise of local NGOs, CBOs, FBOs and other Development Actors working in the two districts. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
These comprise of institutions, development agencies, partner organizations, networks within and outside Uganda that are willing to abide by the Network’s constitution and code of conduct. - HONORARY MEMBERS
These comprise of individuals who have interest and / or identify with the objectives, mission and vision of the network and have the intentions of promoting and /or developing the Network
PARTNERS
DANIDA (core funder)
Action Aid International
Uganda Debt Network (UDN) - Development network of indigenous voluntary associations (DENIVA)
Teso Anti – Corruption Coalition (TAC)
Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda (ACCU)
Food Rights Network (FORINET)
HURINET (Human Rights Network)
Pallisa and Budaka Local Gov’ts
ACHIEVEMENTS:
A fully operational secretariat
A functional resource center. - ICT Systems in place eg computers connected to internet
v Capacity building in various skills for Member Organizations
v Compiled a directory of Member organizations
v Attained partnerships with various Donor/Development agencies
