Who we are

Environmental action rooted in communities.

Environmental Management for Livelihood Improvement Bwaise Facility (EMLI) is an indigenous environmental non-governmental, non-profit organisation registered in Uganda under the Non-Governmental Organizations Act, 2016.

2007Founded in Kampala to strengthen citizen participation in environmental protection.

2013Recognized by NEMA for outstanding contribution to environmental management in Uganda.

UgandaCommunity-centred work delivered with institutions and development partners.

EMLI community and stakeholder engagement — Working with communities, institutions and partners to advance sustainable development.

Our story

Built from a need for stronger citizen participation in environmental protection.

EMLI’s institutional journey connects local environmental action with national and international policy engagement.

Over the years, EMLI has become accredited to conventions and intergovernmental bodies including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, Minamata Convention on Mercury, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Global Environment Facility and Green Climate Fund.

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Uganda’s principal environment agency, recognized EMLI in 2013 for its outstanding contribution to environmental management in Uganda.

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From community action to policy engagementEMLI connects environmental knowledge, citizen participation, training and partnerships to practical sustainable-development outcomes.

International engagement & accreditation

Connected to the institutions shaping environmental action.

EMLI participates in environmental and sustainable-development processes that connect community realities to wider policy, convention and climate-finance systems.

UNFCCC

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

Global climate-governance process linking climate policy, resilience and low-emission development action.

UNCCD

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

International action on land restoration, drought resilience and sustainable management of drylands and ecosystems.

UNEP

United Nations Environment Programme

Environmental leadership in policy, science, advocacy and multilateral action for sustainability.

GEF

Global Environment Facility

A major multilateral environmental fund supporting biodiversity, climate, pollution and resilient community outcomes.

GCF

Green Climate Fund

The world’s largest dedicated climate fund, accelerating low-emission and climate-resilient development.

How we work

Community centred. Knowledge led. Partnership driven.

EMLI works with communities and partners to improve livelihoods by helping people shape and implement development plans that promote sustainable development.

Explore our Programs

International Policy Engagement

EMLI is involved in international processes related to environment and sustainable development, including UNFCCC, UNEP, UN Habitat, GEF, World Bank and AMCEN.

Collaborative programmes

EMLI works with others to develop ideas, methods and projects, sharing knowledge and experience to strengthen community outcomes.

Communication & Training

Dialogues, environmental clinics, policy briefs, scholarly articles, lectures, studies and training support informed action and sustainable livelihoods.

Governance

Clear accountability from members to implementation.

EMLI’s governance structure connects membership oversight, strategic guidance and day-to-day programme delivery.

Institutional oversight

General Assembly

Members meet annually to deliberate on the programme of work, approve annual and related reports, and resolve matters referred by the Secretariat and Advisory Board.

Strategic guidance

Advisory Board

The Board provides strategic guidance, recruits staff and reviews reports, budgets and programme work plans prepared by the Secretariat.

Implementation

Secretariat

Led by the Executive Director, the Secretariat manages day-to-day activities, strategic planning, project development, implementation and stakeholder liaison.

Purpose

Vision and mission that keep the institution focused.

EMLI’s purpose is anchored in resilient communities, sustainable development and better livelihoods for the most vulnerable.

Our Vision

An empowered, healthy and self-sustaining community that focuses on forms and processes of sustainable development and meets the needs of the most vulnerable.

The long-term picture is a community that can sustain livelihoods, protect the environment and shape its own development path.

Empowered communitiesHealthy livelihoodsSustainable development

Our Mission

To improve the standards of living of the most vulnerable people by ensuring sustainable livelihood.

EMLI advances this mission through community mobilisation, environmental action, policy engagement, training, partnerships and programme delivery.

Better standards of livingResilient livelihoodsPractical action

Core values

NeutralityGender SensitivityTransparencyEnvironmental ConsciousnessAccountability