About IECA
Ileje Environmental Conservation Association
Background of Organization
Ileje Environmental Conservation Association (IECA) is an environmental non-governmental organization formed by community of Ileje District in Songwe Region with the aim of bringing together villagers in conserving environment for their sustainable development.
It was registered in 2004 under the Societies Ordinance and changed to the NGOs Act of 2002, with revised Act of Number 3 of 2019 given Certificate No. 00NGO/R2/00040.
IECA formalizes its mandate on ensuring sustainable environmental management in its areas of jurisdiction.
The formation of IECA stems from the youths influx in the towns of Tunduma, Mbeya, Lusaka (Zambia), Blantyre and Lilongwe (Malawi) looking for green pastures.
The low income of the community, which are earning less than 1 dollar per day, is the motive behind that necessitated youths to move from Ileje area to Mbozi, Kyela, Chunya, and Rungwe districts.
The communities depend on agricultural and livestock activities as their main economic stay and livelihood. In terms of agricultural activities, the common practice within Ileje community is dominated by shifting cultivation, which accelerates the diminishing of natural forests leading to low production, land degradation and civil conflicts.
Women and girls are the ones responsible for fetching water, collecting firewood, charcoal etc. From the socio-economic problems facing the communities, therefore, IECA was deliberately formed to address these challenges with main emphasis on poverty reduction, gender issue, environmental degradation and community health problems.
- Environmental Conservation
- Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
- Job Creation for Youth and Women
- Consultancy and Research Work - WASH and Capacity Building
- Engaged in Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives on sustainable environmental management incl. WASH and job creation
- Capacity development of groups, leaders, public and private institutions to conserve environment incl. WASH issues developed
Mission
Committed to achieve sustainable development by promoting environmental conservation and WASH through capacity development, social accountability, public private partnership and networking at the community level.
Vision
Effective utilization of natural resources for sustainable community development
What We Do?
At Ileje Environmental Conservation Association (IECA), we are deeply committed to creating a sustainable and healthy environment. Our work is multifaceted and spans various sectors. Here's a snapshot of our impactful interventions:
Recognizing the potential of the youth and women, we have launched initiatives that focus on their employment, especially in agribusiness. Our coordination in the Opportunities for Youth Employment (OYE) program in Mbeya is a testament to our commitment
- Our WASH interventions have reached numerous districts, including Iringa and Mufindi, where we have contributed to improving sanitation and hygiene behaviors.
- We have also undertaken the establishment and strengthening of Community Owned Water Supply Organizations (COWSO) in multiple districts.
- Our dedication to promoting hygiene is evident through our numerous programs, including hand washing training in Kibaha District and school WASH interventions in Njombe.
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We take pride in our involvement in the Simiyu Climate Resilience Project, a collaborative effort supported by the Green Climate Fund, the German Government, and the Tanzanian Government. This ambitious initiative aims at bolstering climate resilience in the region.
Our expertise extends to consultancy and research, where we have been pivotal in conducting community sensitization, baseline surveys, and developing community adaptation plans.
Through various projects, we have provided technical consultancy services for water supply, facilitated training on WASH governance, and conducted household surveys on sustainable sanitation.
At IECA, our goal is to create lasting change by addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable practices. Our projects, backed by global organizations and governments, are a testament to our dedication and impact in the Tanzanian community.