Creating Lasting Change
Strategic Directions
DNCR works in the local communities to mobilize women and youth to improve the access to basic services through developing income-generating activities and increasing financial literacy.
Our true impact goal is to have built the capacity of poor communities to improve the quality of their lives in slums through enhanced livelihood opportunities, education, and WASH. The aim is to create a community that is empowered and independent.
The Bottom-Up Approach
Our approach is based on the understanding that the best way to empower people is to include them in their own destiny.
How we aim to make a difference in people’s lives
We aim to change people’s lives by focusing on a bottom-up approach so that the community is involved in the entire program process. The bottom-up model leaves the decision-making to the recipients of the programs. Working more closely with recipients allows us to get the most mileage out of small donation pools.
“We don’t believe charities exist to swoop in and fix problems.”
We want to look at our work as an engagement opportunity for everyone involved. This way of thinking emphasizes collaboration within the community and a very close relationship between all relevant stakeholders: donors, partners, volunteers, recipients, local governments, etc.
We believe that the agency and decision-making should be in the hands of the people we aim to support with our work. Why? It’s simple. Because they know best what they need, what the community challenges are, what problems to prioritise, and how to best deal with issues in their specific context.
We aim to keep a bottom-up approach through
evidence-based program development
information and knowledge sharing
local visibility
accountability and transparency in all aspects
working closely with local government organs that support service delivery
and strengthening partnerships with the cities and local businesses where we operate.
We involve beneficiaries in the planning, decision-making, identification, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation processes. This leads to sustainable performance of initiatives and projects because people will have a sense of project ownership. We want to have organised communities with voices that can lead to sustainable transformation.
The benefits of a bottom up approach in management
Motivation
Having more responsibility and opportunities to contribute helps individuals stay motivated.
Collaboration
When individuals are involved in decision-making processes they feel more responsible for the outcome and tend to collaborate more effctively.
Innovation
Rather than wait for the “top” to come up with new ideas, individuals feel involved in the innovation process and actively contribute to improving the projects faster.
<span data-metadata=""><span data-buffer="">Alignment
A bottom-up approach allows for more effective communication between all relevant stakeholders.
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The approach requires management to realise that all stakeholders have unique knowledge. Then ideas can be quickly shared, and feedback can be provided without fear of judgement – ensuring improved community-feeling.
Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation
In order to ensure a bottom-up approach, we put immense emphasis on Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PM&E).
We consider PM&E as an important tool to assist us in our work to support the community members. It helps us determine initial problems and concerns from the people. Further, we use it to identify strengths, weaknesses and mistakes so that we can learn from the past. We want to ensure we are always implementing the most impactful measures.
How we implement PM&E
Our participatory approach makes sure to involve locals in measuring, recording, collecting, processing and communicating anything project related. This PM&E system allows continuo us surveillance in order to assess the local initiative’s impact on intended beneficiary groups. Further, there is an ongoing internal valuation of our work going on.
Looking at these changes provides an opportunity for us to assess deficiencies in the project design. We can measure if the set objectives and the work plan were realistic, if local funding was adequate and whether the local people actually owned the project. Answers to these questions indicate future precautions and modifications in our method and approach to further strengthen capacities.
We look at:
- Attitudinal changes in the local community members, about their role and sense of responsibilities.
- if people have gained confidence in their ability to undertake new activities.
- lessons about people’s capacity, the extent of participation, and community responsibilities.
Aims of our Monitoring & Evaluation
To assess information or generated data on activities being carried out by community members or at the local level.
To facilitate M&E by beneficiaries of different development activities so that they gain an understanding of our processes
To increase beneficiaries’ commitment and understanding in designing, planning and implementing community-based development projects or programmes.
Sources
Arizza, Andrea (nd) A6 Benefits of Using a Bottom-Up Management Approach (blog)
Waltman, Joe (2019) Making the Most of Charity Work: Why Charities Should Focus on the People Before the Solution (article)
Barreto Dillon, Leonellha (2015) Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (factsheet)
Estrella, Marisol & Gaventa, John (1998) Who counts reality? participatory monitoring and evaluation: a literature review (working paper)
Holte-McKenzie, Merydth; Forde, Sarah & Theobald, Sally (2006) Development of a participatory monitoring and evaluation strategy (research paper)
Malekele Phori, Peter et al. (2022) Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation of the COVID-19 Response in the Africa Region (research paper)
Sirker, Karen & Ezemenari Kene – PREM (2002) Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation Principles, Action Steps, Challenges (workshop)
Why Women and Youth (in Uganda)?
Our work is currently mainly based in the Wakiso District of the Kampala Metropolitan area in Uganda. In order to do our work effectively, we need to have an understanding of the context (people and culture) we are working in. Since we are working within our own community, we feel that we already have quite a good understanding of the challenges we face. However, we wanted to share our knowledge with you so you can understand where we are coming from.
For more detailed information on Uganda’s women and youth, have a look at our report.
Wakiso District, Uganda
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With the help of our donors, we can continue sharing knowledge, building capacities, developing skills, and improving livelihoods for women and youth in Kampala and the Wakiso district in Uganda.
You can donate by making a secure and safe bank transfer to one of our charity accounts. Make a one-time donation or become a monthly giver.
