ERIKS Project Drives Climate Resilience in Pader

15 July 2026, 18:57

By Ekel Bonny Daniel

SOS Children’s Villages Uganda, with support from ERIKS Development Partner, is helping communities in Pader District build climate resilience through tree planting, environmental conservation and community engagement while strengthening child protection, education, youth empowerment and sustainable family support for lasting community development.

Efforts to combat climate change while improving children’s well-being are transforming communities across Pader District through an ERIKS Development Partner-funded project implemented by SOS Children’s Villages Uganda.

By promoting tree planting, environmental awareness and climate-smart practices alongside child protection, education and family strengthening, the initiative is helping schools and communities become greener, more resilient and better equipped to safeguard the future of children.

Speaking during a stakeholder review meeting held on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, at Kworo Guest House and Cottages, Adongo Brenda, Children Protection Officer at SOS Children’s Villages Uganda, said the organisation is integrating environmental conservation into its broader child protection and family strengthening programmes, recognising that healthy, resilient communities provide safer environments for children.

She noted that, with support from ERIKS Development Partner, the project is promoting environmental conservation alongside child protection and education in close collaboration with district and sub-county leadership to ensure long-term sustainability.

Among the key achievements highlighted were the distribution of tree seedlings to schools to promote greener learning environments, the establishment of environmental awareness initiatives, Parenting for Respectability sessions, training of para-social workers on child protection, strengthening of School Management Committees and Parent-Teacher Associations, and active participation of children and youth in community development activities.

Presenting project results, Diana Akullu, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator at SOS Children’s Villages Uganda, said the project has combined environmental action with social development by training 25 community leaders on child protection and Gender-Based Violence prevention, successfully managing 13 child protection cases, engaging 225 parents and caregivers through parenting programmes, reaching 44 teenage mothers and fathers with Sexual and Reproductive Health information, enrolling 25 youth in vocational skills training and empowering 38 young people to participate in governance and advocacy initiatives.

She said environmental conservation remains a central pillar of the project, with schools and communities adopting better sanitation practices, increasing environmental awareness and participating in tree planting initiatives that contribute to climate resilience and healthier learning environments.

Ochan John Bosco, Headteacher of Opolacen Primary School, commended SOS Children’s Villages Uganda and ERIKS Development Partner for equipping schools with tree seedlings and vegetable seeds, saying the initiative has inspired learners and communities to embrace environmental stewardship and climate-smart practices. He encouraged continued investment to expand the gains already realised.

Responding to stakeholders, Diana Akullu said the project has expanded its environmental interventions beyond tree planting to include water harvesting, sanitation promotion and environmental awareness campaigns, ensuring communities have the knowledge and practical skills needed to sustain conservation efforts.

Okello Martine, District Forest Officer, applauded the partnership for strengthening environmental conservation across Pader District and pledged continued technical support to beneficiary schools.

He announced plans to promote school-based tree nurseries that will enable schools to produce their own seedlings, creating a sustainable source of trees for future restoration and climate adaptation initiatives.

Closing the meeting, Abudoni Charles, LC III Chairperson of Pukor Sub-county, praised SOS Children’s Villages Uganda and ERIKS Development Partner for demonstrating how investments in environmental conservation can also strengthen children’s welfare, education and community development.

He reaffirmed the commitment of local leaders to sustain the project’s achievements and continue working together to build greener, safer and more resilient communities for future generations.