Welcome to CENFACS’ Online Diary!

06 May 2026

Post No. 455

 

 

The Week’s Contents

 

• May 2026 Stories – All in Development Stories: Stories of Embedding Resilience and Innovation to Drive Progress

• All in Development Story Telling Series and Programme 2026

• Goal of the Month and Activity/Task 5 of the Alternatives (A) Year/Project

 

… And much more!

 

 

Key Messages

 

• May 2026 Stories – All in Development Stories: Stories of Embedding Resilience and Innovation to Drive Progress

 

Story telling is our main content for the month of May.  It is the month and time of the year we dedicate ourselves to telling and sharing poverty relief and sustainable development stories.

 

• • Why Do We Tell and Share Stories? 

 

This is because in whatever we do to help reduce poverty and appeal for support to enhance the development process we are engaged in, there is always a story to tell and share from various places we intervene and from different individuals and communities or organisations involving in our work.

 

• • How Do We Tell and Share These Stories?

 

We do it through All in Development (AiD) Stories project, which is our storytelling project.  The project is made of a one month’s storytelling programme and series as explained below.

 

• • • AiD Storytelling Programme is a one-month project that focuses on developing and promoting storytelling skills, techniques and approaches in the specific context of CENFACS’ community engagement to poverty reduction and sustainable development.

 

• • • AiD Storytelling Series is a set of related stories presented by CENFACS or volunteer storytellers with a shared theme and a set number of episodes.  The series follow a serial format of a continuous story told over multiple episodes.

 

There is an explanation about this project that can be found under the Main Development section of this post.  Every year, there is a different theme for this storytelling project.

 

• • This Year’s Theme for AiD Stories Project

 

This year, the theme for AiD Stories Project is about Stories of Embedding Long-term Resilience through Innovation to Secure Future Progress (In short, Stories of Embedding Resilience and Innovation to Drive Progress).  What are these stories?

They are the stories of

 

σ Embedding, sustaining, and scaling initiatives to create deep-rooted, systemic change, while moving from initial progress

σ Moving from initial progress to long-term impact

σ Transitioning from compliance-driven actions to cultural transformation

σ Focusing on long-term sustainability, systemic resilience, and further innovation for endurance

σ Ensuring future-proofing progress is embedded rather than merely secured temporarily

σ Strategically transitioning from simply protecting previous progress to accelerating it through systemic integration

σ Ensuring the new, more resilient baseline is continuously built upon

σ Transforming our strategy from holding the line to breaking through using systemic integration to accelerate our achievements and continuously elevate our resilience.

 

These stories can be grouped into Stories of Embedding Resilience/Embedding Resilience Stories and Stories of Innovation to Drive Progress.  These stories will be told and shared this May 2026.

 

• • • When will these stories start?

 

Entries for May 2026 Stories were opened since last March when we announced the theme statement formula of Spring Relief 2026, which is

“Embedding long-term resilience through innovation to secure future progress”.

So far, some of our members and supporters have shown some interests.  For those who have not yet submitted or told us their stories, this is the month to do it.

These stories are based on a principle.

 

• • Underlying Principle of AiD Stories Project

 

The principle of AiD Stories Project is that it is about stories told by volunteers or people who are giving their stories not for money or not being paid for their experience they had in relation to the story theme.  However, this principle does not stop anybody to provide a story even if what they are saying come from their paid position.

Besides this general principle, we have two criteria we would like to highlight about the theme of AiD Stories Project for this year.

 

• • Criteria for the Theme of AiD Stories Project 2026

 

• • • 1st Criterion

 

For this year’s AiD Stories project, we are mainly interested in Stories of Embedding Long-term Resilience through Innovation to Secure Future Progress, as mentioned above.  They are also “Two-horse” stories that highlight the themes of kindness, trust and companionship with those in need.   They are the stories of uplift or spiritual comfort and protection from poverty.  They are of being kinder than necessary and sharing bonds with others, including the nature.

 

• • • 2nd Criterion

 

We are registering people’s personal experiences of resilience and innovation.  There are also criteria for these personal experiences of resilience (Resilience Stories) and personal experiences of innovation (Innovation Stories).

 

• • • • Criterion for Resilience Stories includes the following:

 

σ Adaptability and pivot (how individuals adjust strategies)

σ Positive meaning-making (subject that reflected on the adversity to find new meaning)

σ Agency and control (actions taken to control what was possible)

σ Support systems (role of the community and other stakeholders).

 

• • • • Criterion for Innovation Stories encompasses

 

σ Problem-solving approach (idea that solves a significant problem)

σ Evidence-based impact (support the story with facts, data or verification like local news, metrics, testimonials, etc. to build trust)

σ The happy accident (innovation that changed existing, rigid systems)

σ Future-oriented vision (how innovation shapes the future).

 

In short, these Resilience and Innovation Stories will be based on the criteria of authenticity, relatability, evidence, action orientation, and inclusivity/inclusion.

For those who have not been reached, their personal stories need to be heard as well.

Additionally, we would like to select amongst submitted stories the best ones.

 

• • Selecting the Top Real True Story of the Month

 

Like in the previous years, we would like to select the top three stories of poverty reduction of the month and the real true story of poverty reduction of the month.  To do that we will use impact story approach.  This approach is often used when monitoring, observability and evaluation are restricted.  What do we mean by that?

We mean what ‘civicus.org’ (1) says about impact stories, which is:

“Impact stories are a useful way to systematically documenting anecdotal evidence that expected activities occurred, and the perceived results thereof”.

Our storytelling assessors will try to capture elements of storytelling that respond to our storytelling criteria.  Stories that build inclusion and inspire people in terms of Embedding Resilience and Innovation to Drive Progress have more chance to win more votes or points than other ones.

To facilitate and organise ourselves in the way of telling these stories, we are going to do it through a series or programme or a timeline of scripts.  There is more information about this series below.

For more information on AiDS project and this year’s storytelling focus and scripts, please read under the Main Development section of this post.

To tell your Embedding Resilience and Innovation to Drive Progress to CENFACS, please contact CENFACS for story telling terms and conditions.

 

 

• All in Development Story Telling Series and Programme 2026

 

The 2026 series of AiDS Telling Programme start from the 6th of May 2026, every Wednesday afterwards and will last until the end of May 2026.  These series, which are part of May 2026 Stories, are a timeline of scripts or a set of notes arranged in line to tell and share Stories of Embedding Long-term Resilience through Innovation to Secure Future Progress.  But, these stories do not need to be linear (that is, problem > action > solutions).  We take non-linear stories as well.

To arrange this programme, we are going to utilise two-sided themes or “Two-horse” stories in a four steps model.  To do that we have broken May 2026 Stories into specific actionable narratives as given below.

 

Side A includes 4 types of stories below.

 

 

They are the chronicles of leveraging existing gains to rapidly scale up systemic change.  They represent a strategic shift from defensive maintenance (simply protecting progress) to transformative acceleration (integrating improvements deeply into institutional structures).  Key aspects of these chronicles include systemic integration, strategic transition, and accelerating progress.

They are the anecdotes describing continuous, iterative strengthening – building on recent improvements (the new baseline) to ensure ongoing adaptability.

 

b.4) Using systemic integration to accelerate our achievements and continuously elevate our resilience

The breakdown of May 2026 Stories theme enables to create a 4-part series.

From the above-mentioned four steps from each side, we can organise our stories line.  There is no single logic or model of organising a story.  We thought that to make it easier, our storytelling series will follow these four plus four (4+4) model or two-story sequences:

The four plus four (4+4) or two-story sequences can be linked each other in a sequential way.

For further details about these two-story sequences or timeline of AiD scripts, please continue to read under the Main Development section of this post.

 

 

• Goal of the Month and Activity/Task 5 of the Alternatives (A) Year/Project

 

Our Goal of the Month focuses on reducing the poverty of imagination.  Activity/Task 5 of the Alternatives (A) Year/Project is about telling and sharing alternative stories with those in need.    Both our Goal of the Month and Activity/Task 5 are complimentary.

Let us look at these Activity/Task 5 and Goal of the Month.

 

 

• • Activity/Task 5 of the Alternatives (A) Year/Project: Tell and Share Alternative Stories

 

The fifth activity/task of the “A” Project is about sharing with those in need some inspiring and insightful alternative stories.  But what are alternative stories?

 

• • • Brief Explanation of Alternative Stories

 

Alternative stories are narratives that empower individuals to break free from rigid, conventional narratives and explore more diverse, nuanced understanding of their world and experience.  Alternative narratives act as tools to challenge, reframe, or expand upon dominant, mainstream, or conventional accounts of events.

These stories can be told and shared to feature CENFACS Year 2026 of Alternatives.

 

• • • The Good Things about Telling These Alternative Stories

 

One can tell these stories…

 

σ To challenge dominant narratives as way of offering different interpretations of social, cultural or historical events, challenging dominant perspectives that may be outdated or oppressive

σ To reimagine possibilities by offering alternative paths to foster social change

σ To explore “what if” scenarios, re-examining how history might have unfolded differently

σ To offer different or differently told perspectives of any story by highlighting that there are at least two sides to every tale

σ To alter perceptions and influence decisions (e.g., in legal contexts)

σ To transform facts into a journey of empathy and curiosity

σ To create new frameworks as a way of changing the direction of conversation

etc.

 

So, Activity/Task 5 of the Alternatives (A) Year/Project is about Telling and Sharing Your Alternative Story for Poverty Reduction.

For those who need any help before embarking on this activity/task, they can speak to CENFACS.

For any other queries and enquiries about the ‘A’ project and this year’s dedication, please contact CENFACS as well.

 

 

• • Goal of the Month: Reduction of the Poverty of Imagination 

 

To approach this goal, let us first explain the poverty of imagination.

 

• • • What Does Mean the Poverty of Imagination?

 

It means the inability to see beyond the current, dominant, or stereotypical narrative.  It happens when one fails to imagine the diversity of experience in low-income or marginalized communities assuming them to be only ‘poor’ or ‘pathetic’.  It is also poverty due to the lack of alternative stories.

Indeed, the kind of poverty that a lack of alternative stories can address is the poverty of the imagination or poverty of narrative.  This form of poverty occurs when people are restricted to a ‘single story’ or ‘one-dimensional’ narrative – usually a negative, stigmatized, or stereotypical one – that masks the complexities of lives.  By introducing alternative, counter-narratives, this type of poverty can be mitigated.

 

• • • Introducing Alternative Stories to Address the Poverty of Imagination

 

Alternative stories can address the Poverty of Imagination by

 

σ Restoring human dignity

It involves sharing multiple, complex and positive stories which can shift the focus from pity to human empathy as well as re-humanizing the victims of ‘single-story’.

 

σ Shifting from individual to systemic narrative

It is about using alternative stories to challenge the meritocracy narrative (which blames the poor for their poverty) and highlight how systemic barriers create inequality.

 

σ Changing the perception of value

It includes sharing stories of everyday life, joy and agency – rather than just stories of despair.  This helps challenge poverty stigma.

 

σ Empowering agency

It encompasses using alternative stories to show that peoples in poverty are active, not just passive victims, helping them regain control of their own stories.

 

The above is our Goal for the Month of May 2026.

 

• • • What We Expect from Our Supporters Regarding the Goal of the Month

 

After selecting the Goal for the Month, we focus our efforts and mind set on the selected goal by making sure that in our real life we apply it.  We also expect our supporters to go for the Goal of the Month by working on the same goal and by supporting those who may be suffering from the type of poverty linked to the Goal for the Month we are talking about during the given month (e.g., May 2026).

For further details on the Goal of the Month, its selection procedure including its support and how one can go for it, please contact CENFACS.

 

 

Extra Messages

 

• Basic Home-based Bookkeeping and Accounting for Poverty Reduction – Featured from 06/05/2026 – Bookkeeping 1: Organizing Your Receipts; Accounting 1: Separation of Household and Income Generating Activity Finances

• Climate-resilient Asset Building Programme for Households – In Focus from Wednesday 06/05/2026: Asset Protection

• All-Year-Round Projects Lifecycle – Step/e-Workshop 12: Impact Evaluating Your Play, Run and Vote Projects; Integrating Triple Value Initiatives into Your All-Year-Round Projects Impact Evaluation 

 

 

• Basic Home-based Bookkeeping and Accounting for Poverty Reduction – Featured from 06/05/2026 – Bookkeeping 1: Organizing Your Receipts; Accounting 1: Separation of Household and Income Generating Activity Finances

 

As part of activity/topic 1 of Basic Home-based Bookkeeping and Accounting for Poverty Reduction (BHbB&A4PR), we are working on Organizing Your Receipts for Bookkeeping Activity/Topic 1, and Separating Household Finances from Income Generating Activity Finances for Accounting Activity/Topic 1 for poor or low-income families with income-generating activities (IGAs).

 

 

• • Bookkeeping Activity/Topic 1: Organizing Your Receipts

 

Organizing Your Receipts is about tracking spending, preparing accurate tax returns and feeling in control of your accounting process.  It helps to know where money goes each month and do budgeting.

To organize your receipts, you can use manual data entry (on paper) or receipt management software.  You can either utilise a traditional filing cabinet or digital folder to organize your receipts.

You need to have a reliable way of organizing your IGA receipts.  You have options such as

 

σ having a filing system

σ using folders sorted by expenses categories

σ storing backups of digital images in two places, like a cloud account and a local drive

σ isolating personal spending from IGA expenses

σ scanning and electronically storing your receipts

σ having cloud-based systems that allow you to organise each receipt or invoices by date, supplier, or relevant category tags

etc.

 

Depending on your skills and needs, you can put in place the receipts organisation system that is the most appropriate for you and your IGA.

 

• • Accounting Activity/Topic 1: Separation of Household and IGA Finances

 

Generally, accounting for poor or low-income households and families with IGAs focuses on simplicity, tracking actual cash flow, and separating household needs from business operations.

The reason why these households and families are trying to run IGA is to lift themselves out of poverty.  Because of that, the primary goal for them is to ensure the IGA is profitable, sustainable, and supports improved living standards.

Separating their household finances from IGA finances will help them check if their IGA or business model is profitable or not.  This separation also helps them distinguish between family expenses (like food, rent, school fees, etc.) and business expenses (such as raw materials, transport and other ones) to prevent depleting business capital.

This separation will further assist in defining what funds are for reinvestment in the business versus what is available for personal consumption.

The above is what we have planned for this week for Bookkeeping Activity/Topic 1 and Accounting Activity/Topic 1.

For those who would like further information about this week’s activities/topics of BHbB&A4PR, they can contact CENFACS.  For any other enquiries and/or queries about BHbB&A4PR, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

 

 

• Climate-resilient Asset Building Programme for Households – In Focus from Wednesday 06/05/2026: Asset Protection

 

To deal with Asset Protection, let us define assets and asset protection, then explain how CENFACS intends to work with households on asset protection.

 

• • What Is an Asset?

 

According to Oxford Dictionary of Business and Management (2),

“Asset is any object, tangible or intangible, that is of value to its possessor” (p. 38)

In similar terms, the website ‘assetprotectionplanners.com’ (3) explains that

“Assets refers to any property owned by a person or entity.  There are three main asset categories: current assets, fixed assets and financial assets”.

The same ‘assetprotectionplanners.com’ states that current assets are resources that can be converted into cash within one year.  Fixed assets are long-term resources such a buildings or equipment.  Financial assets are investments in the assets of other institutions.

Knowing what asset is, it is possible to explain asset protection.

 

• • What Is Asset Protection?

 

Asset protection can be explained in many ways.  One of its definitions comes from ‘financestrategists.com’ (4) which explains that

“Asset protection refers to the various legal and financial strategies employed to safeguard an individual’s or entity’s assets from potential claims by creditors, litigants, and other potential claimants”.

The website ‘financial strategists.com’ goes further in stressing this:

“In today’s litigious society, it is crucial for individuals and businesses to have a well-thought-out asset protection plan to minimize the risk of financial loss”.

Individuals, households and businesses can buy an insurance policy as an asset protection strategy.  Households making the CENFACS Community can do the same.  As part of encouraging them to do so, it is better to work with them on asset protection matter.

 

• • Working with Households on Asset Protection

 

It involves providing education, legal support, and structural tools that help them safeguard their financial future while ensuring compliance with legal standards.  Effective strategies with them will include fostering financial independence, managing legacies, and helping households protect assets from personal creditors or care costs.  In practical terms, we shall work with them on the following:

 

σ Offering training, credit counselling and workshops to empower households to manage their own money, reducing vulnerabilities to debt

σ Providing guidance and facilitating the use of legal structures to protect assets, especially when a household beneficiary is receiving a legacy

σ Assisting in protective management in terms of appropriation of assets and asset management advice

σ Signposting households to low-cost (even free) access professional advisors experienced in trust law or asset trust

σ Connecting households with specialized debt-solving charities

etc.

 

Those households interested in building climate-resilient assets through Asset Protection, they can work with CENFACS.

For any queries and/or enquiries about Asset Protection as well as Climate-resilient Asset Building Programmes for Households (including how to access this programme), please do not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

 

 

• All-Year-Round Projects Lifecycle – Step/e-Workshop 12: Impact Evaluating Your Play, Run and Vote Projects; Integrating Triple Value Initiatives into Your All-Year-Round Projects Impact Evaluation 

 

In Step/Workshop 11 of your Play, Run and Vote Projects, you conducted an outcome evaluation by measuring your behaviour, participation to and achievement following the delivery of these projects.  You also integrated Triple Value Initiatives (TVIs) into your All-Year-Round Projects (AYRPs) outcome evaluation.

Now, you can proceed with an impact evaluation and integration of TVIs into this impact evaluation.  An impact evaluation will help to evaluate the effect of your Play, Run and Vote Projects on you and the environment surrounding you.  The integration of TVIs will ensure that sustainability will be part of your daily project activities.

But, what is an impact evaluation?  We are going to define it on its own and in the context of AYRP framework, then integrate TVIs into this evaluation.

 

• • Impact Evaluating Your Play, Run and Vote Projects (12.1)

 

• • • Basic Understanding of an Impact Evaluation

 

The definition we have chosen to understand an impact evaluation comes from ‘betterevaluation.org’ (5).  According to ‘betterevaluation.org’,

“An impact evaluation provides information about the impacts produced by an intervention.  The intervention might be a small project, a large programme, a collection of activities, or a policy”.

The same ‘betterevaluation.org’ states that

“An impact evaluation can be undertaken to improve or reorient an intervention (i.e., for formative purposes) or to inform decisions about whether to continue, discontinue, replicate or scale up an intervention (i.e., for summative purposes)”.

In other words, an impact evaluation tries to measure the difference between outcomes with an intervention and without it in a way that can attribute the difference to the intervention, and only the intervention.

For instance, an impact evaluation of your Run Project will assess changes in your wellbeing that can be attributable to your Run Project.  The figure below is an impact evaluation exercise showing how your all-year-round project can impact on you.

 

 

To carry out an impact evaluation, one needs to answer/know the why, when, what and who to engage in the evaluation process.  Also, one can base its impact evaluation on a particular way of thinking or a theory.

 

• • • Theories to Be Used in Your Impact Evaluation 

 

To simplify the matter, an all-year-round project beneficiary will use a theory of change that will guide them to causal attribution or to answer cause-and-effect questions; meaning that changes in outcome are directly attributable to an intervention (here your Play, Run and Vote Projects).  Therefore, you need to better plan and manage your impact evaluation.

The above basic understanding of an impact evaluation can lead to the interpretation of impact evaluation of AYRPs.

 

• • • What is an AYRP Impact Evaluation?

 

AYRP impact evaluation is a continuous process of assessing the long-term, direct or indirect, intended or unintended effects of an intervention throughout its entire lifecycle – rather than as a single, final activity.  This approach embeds monitoring and evaluation into the project’s daily operations, enabling adaptive management by providing ongoing feedback to improve implementation, ensure sustainability, and demonstrate accountability continuously.

Key aspects of AYRP impact evaluati0n include the following:

 

σ Continuous monitoring and evaluation: Continuous evaluation to assess performance and outcomes at various stages (baseline, midline and endline)

σ Focus on causal attribution: It involves investigating what changed and why it changed, linking effects directly to project activities

σ Mixed methods and participatory approaches: They are about involving beneficiaries and stakeholders in the evaluation process

σ Sustainability and long-term effects: It looks beyond immediate outputs to assess if benefits will continue after funding ceases, while examining long-term, transformative change.

 

There are benefits in conducting AYRP impact evaluation; benefits which include better risk management, strengthened credibility, and improved accountability.

Impact evaluation perceived in this manner will help a user of AYRPs to foster a culture of learning and continuous improvements in their AYRPs and life.

 

• • • Example of Planning and Managing the Impact Evaluation of Your All-Year-Round Projects

 

To better plan and manage the impact evaluation of Your All-Year-Round Projects, you can proceed with the following:

 

σ Describe what needs to be evaluated

σ Identify and mobilise resources for your evaluation

σ Decide who will conduct the evaluation and engage it

σ Set up an evaluation methodology/approach/technique

σ Manage your evaluation work

σ Implement your evaluation work

σ Evaluate the result/impact of Your All-Year-Round Projects on you and/or others

σ Share your evaluation results/report.

 

The above is one of the possible ways of impact evaluating your All-Year-Round Projects.  For those who would like to dive deeper into Impact Evaluation of their Play or Run or Vote project, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

Because sustainability must be part of daily project activities, this impact evaluation will not be enough unless you incorporate Triple Value Initiatives (TVIs) in them.

 

• • Integrating Triple Value Initiatives into Your All-Year-Round Project Impact Evaluation (12.2)

 

Integrating Triple Value (often referred to as Triple Bottom Line or 3Ps: People, Planet, Prosperity) initiatives into AYRP impact evaluation requires embedding social, environmental, and financial metrics directly into the project lifecycle, rather than assessing them as an afterthought.

There are guidelines to integrate these initiatives into AYRPs.  One way of doing it is to follow these steps:

 

σ Define 3P metrics by developing specific, measurable indicators for each dimension (People/Social, Planet/Environmental, Prosperity/Economic)

σ Establish baseline (that is, measure the state of all three Ps before the project begins to allow for comparative evaluation)

σ Implement integrated data collection that tracks 3P indicators continuously

σ Use digital dashboards to visualize real-time or regular updates on sustainability and social metrics

σ Regularly engage key stakeholders to understand the soft social impacts

σ Embed a process evaluation that tracks how the project is delivered

σ Include impact assessment techniques (using Social Return on Investment, Life Cycle Assessment, and Triangulation techniques)

σ Integrate the 3P results into all project reporting, giving equal weight to environmental, social and economic impacts

σ Apply the results of previous annual evaluations to inform future project planning

σ Align indicators with established frameworks.

 

By following the above-mentioned steps, a user of AYRPs would show that they treated sustainability as a core component of AYRP performance and value creation.

 

• • Working with AYRP Users on Triple Value Initiatives Integration

 

CENFACS can work with AYRP users to integrate these initiatives into their project tools and lifecycle thinking processes.  This will stop these TVIs being ‘add-on’ and enable them become part of the impact evaluation of their AYRP success.

For those who are not familiar with project impact evaluation as well as the integration of Triple Value Model into their AYR project, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS if they need support.

They can contact CENFACS by

 

phoning, texting, e-mailing and completing the contact form on this website.

 

We can together discuss in detail your/their proposals about either your/their Run or Play or Vote projects, as well as the integration of TVIs into these projects.

For any queries and/or enquiries about All-Year-Round Projects Lifecycle and Impact Evaluation as well as about the Integration of Triple Value Initiatives into Projects, please contact CENFACS.

 

• • Concluding Note about This 12-week e-Workshop Programme

 

To conclude this 12-week e-workshop programme, we would like to thank those who have been engaged with it.

We would like to ask to those who can to measure the impact and effectiveness in working with them/you on how to plan, execute and evaluate your All-Year-Round Projects, as well as on how to integrate Triple Value Initiatives into them.

For example, they/you can state that on overall they/you have positive or negative impacts from this programme.  They/you can send your statement to CENFACS’ usual contact details as given on this website.

Those who need help for any aspect of the plan of their All-Year-Round Projects, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.  Likewise, those who would like to discuss any matter linked to TVIs Integration.

Good luck with their/your All-Year-Round Projects and the Integration of TVIs into them!

 

 

Message in English-French (Message en Anglais-Français)

 

• CENFACS’ be.Africa Forum E-discusses the Impact of Armies Protecting Natural Resources on Poverty Reduction in Africa 

Army Protecting Natural Resources (also known as Military Assistance to Protect the Environment: MAPE, or green warriors) involves leveraging military personnel, technology, and logistics to combat environmental crime, sustainably manage land and mitigate climate change.

There are many examples of anti-poaching operations, combating illegal mining, protecting ecosystems, and rehabilitating lands to improve biodiversity where sometimes armies have been called to intervene in Africa.  However, there is a controversial debate in terms of the impacts of armies getting involved in such operations or activities.  In particular, this controversy is on whether their involvement will enable to reduce poverty.

There are those who believe that Armies Protecting Natural Resources in Africa (APNRiA) can reduce poverty by securing sustainable livelihoods for local communities, preventing resource-driven conflicts, and preserving economic assets.  Effective military involvement through civil-military cooperation can stop illegal poaching and illegal logging that strip populations of income and food security.  Military forces can protect forests, water and wildlife.  Armies can prevent the degradation of ecosystems that often leads to increased poverty.  Military skills training and support can enhance environmental law enforcement and reduce the organized crime that steals resource wealth from local communities.  State forces can secure natural resources and foster economic stability, essential for poverty reduction.

There are those who do not believe in the capacity of  APNRiA in alleviating poverty and building resilience against environmental degradation in Africa.  They think that armies or APNRiA can take advantage of the situation to help themselves instead of helping in the reduction of poverty.  Among the arguments they advance are the following ones:

σ Poverty among military personnel in Africa is high with many soldiers struggling with low wages, poor living conditions, and inadequate welfare, despite increasing national military expenditure in many African countries

σ Soldiers’ salaries are often failing to meet basic needs and not reflecting the high risk of fighting insurgency

σ Many low-ranking soldiers and personnel face poverty-level wages

σ Real income of military or armed forces personnel families is very low compared to the impact of inflation

σ Investment in military personnel welfare is low with poorly funded militaries

σ Continued and increasing military expenditure in many African countries’ budgets does not translate into improved, higher wages for the average soldier

σ A good number of military personnel in Africa lived in poverty just as the majority of populations being in poverty

In brief, the general trend for militaries in Africa is a struggle to meet basic needs.  Yet, it is possible to reduce or end military poverty in Africa.

The above provides materials and space for reflection, expression, discussion, agreement, disagreement and action.

Those who may be interested in reflection, expression, discussion and action on the Impact of Armies Protecting Natural Resources on Poverty Reduction in Africa can join our poverty reduction pundits and/or contribute by contacting CENFACS’ be.Africa Forum, which is a forum or space for discussion on poverty reduction and sustainable development issues in Africa and which acts on behalf of its members by making proposals or ideas for actions for a better Africa.

To contact CENFACS about this discussion, please use our usual contact address on this website.

 

• Le Forum ‘Une Afrique Meilleure’ de CENFACS discute en ligne de l’Impact de la Protection des Ressources Naturelles par les Armées sur la Réduction de la Pauvreté en Afrique

La protection des ressources naturelles par les armées (également connue sous le nom d’Assistance Militaire à la Protection de l’Environnement ou « guerriers verts ») consiste à mobiliser le personnel, les technologies et la logistique militaires pour lutter contre la criminalité environnementale, gérer durablement les terres et atténuer le changement climatique.

On compte de nombreux exemples d’opérations anti-braconnage, de lutte contre l’exploitation minière illégale, de protection des écosystèmes et de restauration des terres pour améliorer la biodiversité en Afrique, où l’intervention des armées a parfois été requise. Cependant, l’impact de l’implication des armées dans de telles opérations ou activités fait l’objet d’un débat controversé. Ce débat porte notamment sur la capacité des armées à contribuer à la réduction de la pauvreté.

Certains estiment que les Armées de Protection des Ressources Naturelles en Afrique (APRNA) peuvent réduire la pauvreté en garantissant des moyens de subsistance durables aux communautés locales, en prévenant les conflits liés aux ressources et en préservant les actifs économiques. Une implication militaire efficace, grâce à la coopération civilo-militaire, peut mettre fin au braconnage et à l’exploitation forestière illégale qui privent les populations de revenus et de sécurité alimentaire. Les forces armées peuvent protéger les forêts, l’eau et la faune sauvage. Elles peuvent prévenir la dégradation des écosystèmes, souvent à l’origine d’une pauvreté accrue. La formation et le soutien des forces armées peuvent renforcer l’application du droit environnemental et réduire le crime organisé qui spolie les communautés locales de leurs richesses naturelles. Les forces de l’État peuvent sécuriser les ressources naturelles et favoriser la stabilité économique, éléments essentiels à la réduction de la pauvreté.

Certains doutent de la capacité de l’APRNA à réduire la pauvreté et à renforcer la résilience face à la dégradation environnementale en Afrique. Ils estiment que l’APRNA pourrait profiter de la situation à son propre avantage au lieu de contribuer à la réduction de la pauvreté.

Parmi les arguments avancés figurent les suivants :

σ La pauvreté est élevée parmi le personnel militaire en Afrique. De nombreux soldats sont confrontés à de bas salaires, à de mauvaises conditions de vie et à une protection sociale insuffisante, malgré l’augmentation des dépenses militaires nationales dans de nombreux pays africains.

σ Les soldes des soldats ne permettent souvent pas de couvrir leurs besoins fondamentaux et ne tiennent pas compte des risques élevés liés à la lutte contre l’insurrection.

σ De nombreux soldats et personnels subalternes perçoivent des salaires de misère.

σ Le revenu réel des familles du personnel militaire est très faible par rapport à l’inflation.

σ L’investissement dans le bien-être du personnel militaire est faible, les armées étant sous-financées.

σ L’augmentation continue des dépenses militaires dans les budgets de nombreux pays africains ne se traduit pas par une amélioration des salaires du soldat moyen.

σ Un grand nombre de militaires en Afrique vivent dans la pauvreté, à l’instar de la majorité de la population.

En résumé, la tendance générale des armées africaines est la difficulté à satisfaire leurs besoins fondamentaux. Pourtant, il est possible de réduire, voire d’éliminer, la pauvreté militaire en Afrique.

Ce qui précède offre matière à réflexion, expression, discussion, d’accord, désaccord, d’opinions et action.

Les personnes intéressées par la réflexion, l’expression, la discussion et l’action concernant le rôle des armées dans la protection des ressources naturelles et la réduction de la pauvreté en Afrique peuvent rejoindre notre groupe d’experts sur la réduction de la pauvreté et/ou contribuer en contactant le ‘me.Afrique’ du CENFACS (ou le Forum ‘Une Afrique Meilleure’ de CENFACS), qui est un forum ou espace de discussion sur les questions de réduction de la pauvreté et de développement durable en Afrique et qui agit au nom de ses membres en faisant des propositions ou des idées d’actions pour une Afrique meilleure.

Pour contacter le CENFACS au sujet de cette discussion, veuillez utiliser nos coordonnées habituelles sur ce site Web.

 

 

Main Development

 

• May 2026 Stories – All in Development Stories: Stories of Embedding Resilience and Innovation to Drive Progress

 

The items making the contents of May 2026 Stories include the following:

 

∝ What is All inDevelopment Stories Project?

∝ May 2026 Stories: Stories of Embedding Resilience and Innovation to Drive Progress

∝ Story Telling Sequences or Series

∝ AiDS Serial 1: Stories of Embedding and Scaling Initiatives for Systemic Change; Stories of Progress to Long-term Impact (Starting from Wednesday 06/05/2026)

∝ Further Information about May 2026 Stories.

 

Let us highlight each of these elements.

 

• • What Is All in Development Stories Project?

 

All in Development Stories (AiDS) is a life story building, developing, telling, sharing and learning project set up by CENFACS in 2009 in order to give opportunities to volunteers, interns and other development supporters and enthusiasts to inspire others and spread the good news and will of better change to the community.  It is also a narrative approach to documenting and managing features, tasks and project progress that has features or properties, storytelling programme and series.

 

• • • AiDS Properties

 

The project, which is run during the month of May, has seven properties as follows:

 

1) AiDS is a telling and sharing story

 

It is about telling and sharing with us your experience and achievements made in the fields of local (UK) and International (Africa) developments.

 

2) AiDS is an expression of the problem

 

It expresses the problem (of poverty) to be solved, the user’s or project beneficiary’s perspective, and the desired outcome.

 

3) AiDS is a learning and development process

 

It is also about learning from volunteers and interns how they improved their own life, changed deprived lives and reached out to the needy communities.  After learning, one can try to develop strengths and better practices to solve problems.

 

4) AiDS is an inspirational and motivational support network

 

The project seeks to inspire and motivate others on the road of change for better change; especially for those (who are part of our network and those who would like to be part of it) who might prepare and use their summer break or any other occasions to take up volunteering and or internship roles and positions.

 

5) AiDS is a “two-horse” story

 

It highlights the themes of kindness, trust and companionship with those in need.   It is the story of uplift or spiritual comfort and protection from poverty.  It is of being kinder than necessary and sharing bonds with others (those who need help), including the nature.

 

6) AiDS is a building storytelling skills initiative

 

It helps story tellers to develop skills to tell and supply stories (stories generation) to meet the demand of stories listeners (stories heard) in order to connect those in need to poverty reduction.  These stories that connect to poverty reduction can be linear and non-linear as well as deliberately action-oriented.

 

7) AiDS finally is a state-of-the-art project 

 

After all, it is the art of poverty relief telling story that enables us to get up-to-date information, knowledge and thinking in the fields of poverty reduction and sustainable development from those who went on the grounds to learn and experience real-life development works.  They return with volunteering stories to tell and share.  As the National Storytelling Network (6) puts it in these terms:

“Storytelling is the interactive art of using words and actions to reveal the elements and images of a story while encouraging the listener’s imagination”.

 

• • • AiDS Telling Programme

 

The programme, which is a short-term project (of one month in May), focusses on the process of storytelling by developing and promoting storytelling skills, techniques and approaches with the purpose of enhancing communication, creativity, empathy, and engagement to poverty reduction and sustainable development.

The programme uses narratives, stories and personal anecdotes to enhance engagement, comprehension, and retention of information relating to poverty reduction and sustainable development.

 

• • • AiDS Telling Series

 

It is a set number of episodes or chapters with a defined beginning and end that focuses on presenting a collection of related stories with the purpose of engaging audiences, exploring themes, and developing narratives.  Through this series, stories will be shared with an audience in a serial format or a continuous story told over multiple episodes.

This year’s storytelling and sharing will be about Stories of Embedding Resilience and Innovation to Drive Progress.

 

• • May 2026 Stories: Stories of Embedding Resilience and Innovation to Drive Progress

 

Let us explain these stories.

 

• • • What are Stories of Embedding Resilience or Embedding Resilience Stories?

 

Stories of Embedding Resilience refers to case studies, reports or narratives that describe how a person or organization successfully integrated resilience into their practices, systems, or culture.  They are those of how we built systems, changed rules, or cultivated new habits.  They are about documenting the transition from vulnerability to strength.

They are power narratives that illustrate how individuals have transitioned their challenges into opportunities for growth and success.  These tales are often revolved around the themes of perseverance, growth and transformation, showcasing how people have risen above difficulties to achieve triumphs.

These stories remind us that resilience is not just about enduring hardships but about growing from them, transforming challenges into steppingstones for success.  They inspire us to never give up, to keep pushing forward, and to believe in our potential.

These stories should not be confused with Embedding Resilience Stories.

Embedding Resilience Stories refers to the act of using storytelling as a technique to build resilience in individuals or teams. essentially embedding narratives to foster adaptation growth and learning.  They are the stories of overcoming adversity, hero journeys, or lessons learned.

The difference between Stories of Embedding Resilience and Embedding Resilience Stories lies in whether the narrative itself is the tool being inserted (embedding stories) or the focus is on narrating the process of making resilience a permanent part of a culture (stories of embedding).  In other words, ‘Stories of Embedding Resilience’ tells the story of the system change, while ‘Embedding Resilience Stories’ uses stories to change the mindset of the people within the system.

 

• • • What are Stories of Innovation to Drive Progress?

 

Stories of Innovation to Secure or Drive Progress often emerge from solving complex, urgent problems by rethinking traditional methods, leveraging technology, and focusing on sustainability.

For instance, it is worth mentioning AI-powered logistics to fight hunger, blockchain humanitarian solutions, and transformative shifts in manufacturing.  These stories highlight how innovation is not just about high-tech gadgets but rather applying the best tools – digital or mechanical – to create a more sustainable and equitable future.

Innovation-to-drive-progress Stories are narratives that showcase how creative ideas, technological advancements, or novel business models are implemented to solve complex problem, enhance efficiency, and foster long-term growth.  These stories move beyond theoretical concepts to highlight tangible results – such as new-products, services, or optimized processes – that bring real-world benefits and societal improvements.  These stories often focus on how organisations and individuals transition from idea to reality, focusing on the “why” (inspiration), “what” (culture), and “how” (trust and creativity) behind the innovation.  These stories are crucial to shifting perspective from seeing innovation as a luxury to recognizing it as a necessity for survival and growth in a rapidly evolving world.

Stories of Embedding Resilience/Embedding Resilience Stories and Stories of Innovation to Drive Progress will be told and shared this May 2026.  The following Ven Diagramme presents these stories.

 

 

• • • Breaking May 2026 Stories into Specific Actionable Narratives 

 

May 2026 Stories can be broken into specific actionable narratives as shown below.

They are the chronicles of leveraging existing gains to rapidly scale up systemic change.  They represent a strategic shift from defensive maintenance (simply protecting progress) to transformative acceleration (integrating improvements deeply into institutional structures).  Key aspects of these chronicles include systemic integration, strategic transition, and accelerating progress.

They are the anecdotes describing continuous, iterative strengthening – building on recent improvements (the new baseline) to ensure ongoing adaptability.

 

b.4) Using systemic integration to accelerate our achievements and continuously elevate our resilience

Both Stories of Embedding Resilience/Embedding Resilience Stories and Stories of Innovation to Drive Progress will be presented via AiD Story Telling programme.  They can be compared and contrasted in terms of their similarities and differences. One can even use Ven Diagramme to compare and contrast these/their stories.

During this month of May, we are running 4+4 or two-story series of AiD Story Telling programme.

For those who want to tell their Stories of Embedding Resilience/Embedding Resilience Stories and Stories of Innovation to Drive Progress; they can choose among the following sequences to tell their stories.

 

• • Story Telling Sequences or Series

 

AiD Story Telling Series: Starting on 06/05/2026 and after every Wednesday until the end of May 2026

The following two-story series or sequences have been planned for this month of storytelling (May Stories).

 

σ Serial 1: From Wednesday 06/05/2026:

σσ Stories of Embedding and Scaling Initiatives for Systemic Change

σσ Stories of Progress to Long-term Impact

 

σ Serial 2: From Wednesday 13/05/2026:

σσ Stories of Shifting from Compliance to Culture

σσ Stories of Moving from Protecting Progress to Systemic Acceleration

 

σ Serial 3: From Wednesday 20/05/2026:

σσ Stories of Focusing on Sustainability, Resilience and Innovation

σσ Stories of Building Resilient Baseline

 

σ Serial 4: From Wednesday 27/05/2026:

σσ Stories of Embedding Long-term Resilience rather than Temporary Security

σσ Stories of Systemic Integration for Accelerated, Resilient Achievements.

 

Both Stories of Embedding Resilience/Embedding Resilience Stories and Stories of Innovation to Drive Progress will help beneficiaries this May 2026.

 

 

• •  AiDS Serial 1 Starts from Wednesday 06/05/2026:

 

Stories of Embedding and Scaling Initiatives for Systemic Change and Stories of Progress to Long-term Impact

We have two stories from our two-story model: Stories of Embedding and Scaling Initiatives for Systemic Change and Stories of Progress to Long-term Impact.  Let us look at each of them.

 

• • • Stories of Embedding and Scaling Initiatives for Systemic Change 

 

• • • • What are Stories of Embedding and Scaling Initiatives for Systemic Change?

 

They are those of embedding progress, sustaining, and scaling sustainable initiatives to create deep-rooted, systemic change.  In other words, they are the tales of scaling deep for systemic transformation or of embedding change to make it stick.  The core elements of these stories are embedding (practice), sustaining (improvement), scaling (deep and wide), and systemic change.

These stories focus on moving beyond temporary pilots to create lasting, widespread shifts in behaviour, policy, and culture.  Successful initiatives often involve cross-sector collaboration, the use of narratives to change mindsets, and the integration of new practices into existing infrastructure.

We can work with those who would like to provide these stories.

 

• • • • Working with AiDS Project Beneficiaries on Stories of Embedding and Scaling

 

It requires a shift from extractive storytelling (using stories for marketing) to co-creation, where beneficiaries are partners in crafting narratives that illustrate systemic change.  This approach ensures stories are authentic, highlight agency rather than victimhood, and provide evidence of how initiatives can be scaled to fix the root causes.

It also means co-creating narratives that center lived experiences, focus on systemic barriers rather than just personal triumph, and empower beneficiaries as agents of change.  Instead of merely highlighting individual successes, these stories should illustrate how local, personal experiences link to broader societal or structural issues, advocating for shifts in policy, culture or practice.

To sum up, working with beneficiaries on these stories involve the following:

 

σ Moving beyond extraction by avoiding treating beneficiaries as sources of data or emotional testimonials

σ Empowering through agency

σ Establishing collaborative protocols

σ Helping beneficiaries to shine a light on where systemic change is working at small scale

σ Conducting interactive sessions where beneficiaries can tell their stories in their own voice

etc.

 

• • • • Examples of Stories of Embedding and Scaling

 

Stories of Embedding and Scaling Initiatives for Systemic Change focus on how individuals shifted from fixing immediate problems to altering the underlying rules, power dynamics, or norms of a system.   Their examples should reflect this feature.

Examples include the stories of…

 

σ highlighting how people used their personal or professional experience, one-on-one casework to identify a system issue and change it

σ showcasing how experts by experience changed how services are designed and delivered by challenging existing stereotypes or protocols

σ focusing on moving from a successful pilot project to changing the behaviour of a larger institution or government entity

σ internal transformation where the individual changes their own approach, which then cascades through a system

etc.

 

To tell these stories, individuals would focus on the ‘messy middle’, the pivot, the relationship, and the ‘what’.

If you are a member of our community and have this type of story, please do not hesitate to tell and share your story with CENFACS.  If you are not our member, you can still submit your story.

To donate, tell and share your storying gift of Stories of Embedding and Scaling Initiatives for Systemic Change, please contact CENFACS.

 

• • • Stories of Progress to Long-term Impact

 

• • • • What are Stories of Progress to Long-term Impact?

 

Stories of Moving from Initial Progress to Long-term Impact are the talks of small steps, big impact or from the seeds to trees.  They are narratives documenting how incremental, small-scale improvements (often termed as small wins or transformations) accumulate over time to create profound, lasting systemic or individual change.

These stories connect daily actions with ultimate goals.  They highlight the journey of change to build hope, justify resources, and provide actionable evidence of success, rather than just raw data.

We can as well work with those who would like to provide these stories.

 

• • • • Working with AiDS Project Beneficiaries on Stories of Progress to Long-term Impact

 

It requires moving from a model of collecting testimonies to a model of co-creation and partnership.  This approach ensures stories are authentic, ethical, and highlight long-term impact rather than just short-term output.

The framework for working with beneficiaries includes

 

σ prioritise informed consent and agency

σ co-create

σ pay for time and expertise

σ share final content for approval.

 

To track long-term progress, there will be use of

 

σ longitudinal storytelling by capturing beneficiaries’ journey

σ beneficiaries-led content (e.g., user-generated content, such as users taking their own photos, filming video diaries or writing blog posts)

σ help to the beneficiaries to utilize the story bridge framework (i.e., the Person and Setting, the Conflict/Barrier, and the Turning Point)

etc.

 

• • • • Examples of Stories of Progress to Long-term Impact

 

These examples are narratives that show an individual overcoming challenges through persistence and consistent effort, transforming a ‘before and after’ scenario that inspires others.  These stories usually involve a pivot in strategy, a change in mindset, or enduring a slow, steady, or difficult process that eventually results in a significant lasting achievement.

Their examples include stories of…

 

σ transitioning to a low-impact life starting with recycling and cumulating in leading community environmental initiatives

σ focusing on small, daily improvements that culminate to a massive change

σ turning grief into long-term action

σ leaving a high-stress role to find a new, sustainable one

σ moving from disliking education to developing a love for learning and helping others to learn

σ slowly transitioning to a low-impact life, starting with recycling and culminating in leading community environmental initiatives.

 

These stories showcase that to achieve progress it requires endurance and a ‘growth mindset’, treating setbacks as data points rather than defeats.

To effectively tell these stories, individuals need to focus on a transformative choice, a shift in perspective, authentic emotion, and the ‘so what’.

If you are a member of our community and have this type of stories, please do not hesitate to tell and share your story with CENFACS.  If you are not our member, you can still submit your story.

To donate, tell and share your storying gift of Stories of Progress to Long-term Impact, please contact CENFACS.

 

• • Further Information about May 2026 Stories

 

• • • 2026 Story Areas of Interest

 

We normally take stories that cover any areas of poverty reduction and local and international sustainable developments.

 

• • • Contexts of Stories

 

Stories could come from any level of project/programme cycle (i.e. planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and review) as long as it is to do with poverty reduction and sustainable development.

They could also be a result of research and field work activities or studies.

They could finally be an experience of everyday life.

  

• • • Call for 2026 Entries

 

As said above, the 2026 Edition of AiDS has already kicked off.  For those who want to enter their stories of life renewal, please note you are welcome to do so.

Just read below the annotated timetable for story submission and CENFACS’ storytelling terms and conditions.

We await your responses to our call.

 

• • • Annotated Timetable for Story Submission in 2026

 

∝ Start of online (e-mail) and paper-based submission (01/05/2026)

∝ Story submission deadline (31/05/2026)

∝ Notification of receipt/acceptance (by 17/06/2026)

∝ Submission of revised stories (01 to 31/05/2026)

 

• • • Storytelling Check List

 

Before submitting, please check that your story meets the following:

 

√ Relatable

√ Relevant

√ Engaging

√ Inspiring

√ Building inclusion

√ Poverty-relieving

 

• • • CENFACS Story Telling & Sharing Terms

 

To tell and/or share your May story, please let us know the following:

 

√ who you are

√ where and when your experience took place 

√ and of course the story itself.

 

You could also

 

√ text

√ twit 

√ record voice/video

√ send some forms of supporting materials/resources to back up your story.

 

Should you wish not to be name, please let us know your decision.

Please see below our story telling, sharing and learning terms.

 

• • • CENFACS storytelling, sharing and learning terms

 

1) We welcome told, untold, linear and non-linear stories

2) Inside, witness, news, behind the scenes and case stories are eligible

3) We only take real life stories, not fiction stories or fake news or artificial stories

4) Tell true and evidence-based stories only, not lies

5) If possible, back up your stories with facts and data (numerical or textual or voice or video or even infographics)

6) Mention location, dates and names of events in the story

7) We accept photos, images, pictures, videos, info-graphic materials, audios and other forms of resources (e.g. digital or e- technologies) to support, capture and communicate the impact of your story

8) Plagiarism, prohibited, offensive, violation of copyrights and unlawful/illegal materials are not accepted

9) Indicate if AI-technologies or ChatGPT facilities help you in your story to establish ownership 

10) Hacking, flaming, spamming, scamming, ransom ware, phishing and trolling practices are not accepted as well

11) We greatly consider stories building on inclusion, inspiring people to change, containing poverty-relieving elements and highlighting nature-based solutions to poverty and hardships.

For further clarification, contact CENFACS.

 

Tell and share your storyline of change for change by communicating the impact you make!

CENFACS is looking forward to engaging with you through your story.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to CENFACS at facs@cenfacs.org.uk.

_________

 

• References

 

(1) https://www.civicus.org/monitoring-toolkits/toolkit/impact-story/ (Accessed in May 2023)

(2) Oxford University (2016), Dictionary of Business and Management, 6th Edition, Ed. Jonathan Law (Market House Books Ltd), Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK

(3) https://www.assetprotectionplanners.com/how-to/what-is-asset-protection/ (accessed in May 2026)

(4) https://www.financestrategists.com/wealth-management/asset-protection-strategies/ (accessed in May 2026)

(5) https://www.betterevaluation.org/methods-approaches/themes/impact-evaluation (Accessed in May 2023)

(6) https://storynet.org/what-is-storytelling/ (Accessed in May 2023)

_________

 

• Help CENFACS Keep the Poverty Relief Work Going This Year

 

We do our work on a very small budget and on a voluntary basis.  Making a donation will show us you value our work and support CENFACS’ work, which is currently offered as a free service.

One could also consider a recurring donation to CENFACS in the future.

Additionally, we would like to inform you that planned gifting is always an option for giving at CENFACS.  Likewise, CENFACS accepts matching gifts from companies running a gift-matching programme.

Donate to support CENFACS!

FOR ONLY £1, YOU CAN SUPPORT CENFACS AND CENFACS’ NOBLE AND BEAUTIFUL CAUSES OF POVERTY REDUCTION.

JUST GO TO: Support Causes – (cenfacs.org.uk)

Thank you for visiting CENFACS website and reading this post.

Thank you as well to those who made or make comments about our weekly posts.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits and continuing support until the end of 2026 and beyond.

With many thanks.

 

Welcome to CENFACS’ Online Diary!

29 April 2026

Post No. 454

 

 

The Week’s Contents

 

• Information, Guidance and Signposts on Alternatives to High-emission Processes and Pollution-induced Poverty Reduction

• Preview of May 2026 Stories 

• Basic Home-based Bookkeeping and Accounting for Poverty Reduction

 

… And much more!

 

 

 

Key Messages

 

• Information, Guidance and Signposts on Alternatives to High-emission Processes and Pollution-induced Poverty Reduction

 

Information, Guidance and Signposts (IGS) on alternatives to high-emission processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction continue what we said last week in the 91st Issue of FACS about Alternatives to High-emission Processes and Pollution-induced Poverty Reduction.  IGS on these Alternatives and Solutions to Poverty are resources that provide expertise and support for those looking for IGS on these matters.

IGS on Alternatives and Solutions to Poverty are in fact a guide that directs, informs or influences behaviour to help navigate substitutes to high-emission industrialization and ways of reducing pollution-induced poverty.  IGS on Alternatives and Solutions to Poverty offer guidance, capacity building and knowledge products that inform stakeholders on alternatives to high-emission processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction. 

IGS on Alternatives and Solutions to Poverty provide expertise, instructions or direction to ensure a successful outcome when organisations (like Africa-based Sister Organisations) and members of the CENFACS Community are looking for information, guidance and signposts for alternative ways of life (such transitioning way from greenhouse gas emissions processes or industrialisation and poverty stemming from pollution).

IGS on Alternatives and Solutions to Poverty include three types or areas of support via CENFACS, which are:

 

a) Information Service: making available information about services relating to alternatives to high-emission processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction for those looking for this information

b) Guidance Service: It includes orientation, counselling, exploration and placement about services and entities focusing on alternatives to high-emission processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction to help people and organisations make informed decisions and adjust to life changes

c) Signposting Service: It guides individuals/organisations to other organisations or support networks that can better meet their needs in alternatives to high-emission industrial processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction.  It links organisations to resources for decarbonizing operations (e.g., reduce carbon footprints in humanitarian responses)

 

More on these services can be found under the Main Development section of this post.

 

 

• Preview of May 2026 Stories

 

This coming May 2026, we shall run two-series or “two-horse” stories, two-sided themes.  “Two-horse” stories highlight the themes of kindness, trust and companionship with those in need.   They are the stories of uplift or spiritual comfort and protection from poverty.  They are of being kinder than necessary and sharing bonds with others, including the nature.

This May’s All in Development Stories will be those of Embedding long-term resilience through innovation to secure future progress.  The advance viewing of these stories is given below.

 

• • Preview of May 2026 All in Development Stories by CENFACS 

 

May 2026 Stories can be broken into specific actionable narratives as follows:

They are the chronicles of leveraging existing gains to rapidly scale up systemic change.  They represent a strategic shift from defensive maintenance (simply protecting progress) to transformative acceleration (integrating improvements deeply into institutional structures).  Key aspects of these chronicles include systemic integration, strategic transition, and accelerating progress.

They are the anecdotes describing continuous, iterative strengthening – building on recent improvements (the new baseline) to ensure ongoing adaptability.

 

b.4) Using systemic integration to accelerate our achievements and continuously elevate our resilience

The breakdown of May 2026 Stories theme enables to create a 4-part series.

Entries for these Stories on Poverty Relief and Development for May 2026 (May Stories) are now open.

To tell and share your story of Embedding long-term resilience through innovation to secure future progress, please contact CENFACS for story telling terms and conditions.

 

• • Stories Preview by Prospective Story Creators and Tellers

 

Those who are preparing and planning their stories to tell, they can also undertake preview of their stories.  Their stories preview would be a feature allowing them to view a snapshot, draft, or rendering of their stories (like in Instagram) before it is published.  It can also be a way to glimpse their story contents before this story is published.

Previewing their stories helps them as story creators and tellers check the flow, design, and formatting of their stories, including how they appear on different devices before finalizing them, or allows others to see their stories.

This week is all about that, about story planning, drafts, content flow, feed tiles, etc.  This involves using tools to arrange and view the sequence of stories before it goes public.

For those who are planning to tell and share their stories with us this coming May 2026, it is better for them not to forget to preview their stories.

For any enquiries and/or queries about May 2026 All in Development Stories, please do not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

 

 

• Basic Home-based Bookkeeping and Accounting for Poverty Reduction

 

This is an e-support that prolongs the help to those who are planning or have decided to set up an alternative income source or generation project this Spring 2026 and after.  It is part of 2026 Alternative Income Sources and Projects.

Perhaps, to better understand this support, it makes sense to say to whom it is designed for, to explain bookkeeping and accounting for poverty reduction, and the selected components of this e-support that we have planned to work with families making our community.

 

• • To Whom This e-support Is for

 

It is mostly designed for those members of our community and sister communities running income-generating activities and would like to acquire basic knowledge and skills about bookkeeping and accounting.  These knowledge and skills can help them understand how they can keep their books and sort out their accounts without necessarily replacing professional bookkeepers and accountants.

Indeed, it makes some difference between a person who organizes its paper receipts in order and record its transactions and then ask a bookkeeper or specialist to complete its bookkeeping and another person who puts all its receipts in bulk in box, drops it to its bookkeeper and asks the bookkeeper to sort them out and proceed with the bookkeeping.  Likewise, if books are kept digitally (for instance, those who prefer digital receipts sent to their mobile phones instead paper ones) those who have basic understanding of bookkeeping and accounting software would be half mile away by themselves before seeing a digital bookkeeper or accountant (whether virtual or real).

The e-support includes two areas: bookkeeping and accounting.

 

• • What Is Bookkeeping? What Is Accounting?

 

To define bookkeeping, let us refer to what ‘forbes.com’ (1) argues about it which is:

“Bookkeeping is the system businesses use to keep track of their financial activity as it happens”.

There are components in bookkeeping, which are basically

 

σ Organizing receipts

σ Recording expenses

σ Categorizing transactions

σ Tracking invoices and bills

etc.

 

As to accounting, Christopher Pass et al. (2) explains that

“Accounting is the process of recording a firm’s financial transactions in appropriate bookkeeping records and of summarizing this information in the form of accounting reports, using acknowledged methods and conventions” (p. 5)

Although Christopher et al. speak about businesses, families and/or households can also record their financial transactions.

Like for bookkeeping, there are components for income generation activity accounting, which are

 

σ Income generation activity analysis

σ Savings management

σ Market analysis

etc.

 

Additionally, there is a difference between bookkeeping and accounting.  The website ‘forbes.com’ (op. cit.) indicates this difference by arguing that

“Bookkeeping focuses on maintaining clean, accurate records, and tracking transactions, categorizing activity and keeping everything current.  Accounting, on the other hand, uses that data to analyze performance, prepare financial statements and guide decisions”.

This difference is not only technical.  It also helpful in understanding on how low-income or poor families and households keep their books and deal with their accounts.

 

• • Bookkeeping and Accounting for Poverty Reduction

 

Bookkeeping for poverty reduction mostly concerns poor families in the way they try to keep track of their financial activities.  Their accounting would be how they analyze their accounts performance, prepare financial statement and make informed decisions.

Because our focus is on poor families and/or those who are trying to generate alternative income to help them reduce poverty they are facing, their bookkeeping and accounting need to be simple and practical.  It means, for example in terms of accounting, they need to simply carry out record-keeping by tracking their cash flows to ensure breaking even, building savings, and managing household responses.

 

• • Components of Bookkeeping and Accounting that Will Be Part of Work Families or Households in Need

 

From May 2026, we shall work with families or households making our community on the components of both bookkeeping and accounting.  The focus will be not only to understand the basic principles of both bookkeeping and accounting for families and households of their circumstances, but also to provide the tools that can transform their small and informal alternative income generative activities into a scalable sustainable source of income that can lift them out of poverty.

Among the components or key aspects in the context of bookkeeping and accounting for poor families and households, it worth mentioning

 

σ Simple Record-keeping Systems: These include cash flow tracking, simple notebook ledger, asset monitoring, etc.

σ Differentiating Household versus Business: It involves separating personal and business finances or accounts and calculating the margin.

 

There will be extra support as we will be sharing information and resources about accounting software for families and households to ease the process of learning bookkeeping and accounting.  All together will help participants or beneficiaries to transition from just surviving to actively managing their finances which can increase their income and reduce poverty they are facing.

Those may be interested in this e-support, they are free to contact CENFACS for any enquiries and/or queries.

 

 

Extra Messages

 

• All-Year-Round Projects Lifecycle – Step/e-Workshop 11: Outcome Evaluating Your Play, Run and Vote Projects; and Integrating Triple Value Initiatives into Your All-Year-Round Project Outcome Evaluation

• Initiative for Poverty Reduction Without Pollution (I4PRWP)

• Climate-resilient Asset Building Programme for Households (CrABP4Hs) in 2026

 

 

• All-Year-Round Projects Lifecycle – Step/e-Workshop 11: Outcome Evaluating Your Play, Run and Vote Projects; and Integrating Triple Value Initiatives into Your All-Year-Round Project Outcome Evaluation

 

Normally, at the beginning of a project or activity, planners of this project or activity will indicate how they plan to evaluate it.  Planners can think of pre-project evaluation, ongoing project evaluation and post-project evaluation.  However, what is project evaluation for them?

 

• • Basic Understanding of Project Evaluation

 

To simplify the matter, we are referring to what Anna Allen and Catriona May (3) say about it, which is:

“Evaluation is a process of assessing what an activity or project achieves, particularly in relation to the overall objectives” (p. 36)

There are many types of evaluation depending on the areas of emphasis.  Evaluation can be before the project starts (pre-project evaluation), when the project is in progress (ongoing evaluation) and when the project is finished (post-project evaluation).  Evaluation can also be formative, process/implementation, outcome/effectiveness and impact.  It all depends on what you want to achieve in evaluating a project.

In the Step/e-Workshop 11, we are interested in Outcome Evaluation.  The latter will be interpreted in the context of AYRP while integrating TVIs into the same evaluation.

 

• • All-Year-Round Project (AYRP) Outcome Evaluation (11.1)

 

Let us first explain an outcome evaluation, then AYRP outcome evaluation.

 

• • • What is an outcome evaluation?

 

To understand outcome evaluation, one may need to know outcome.   Outcome has been described in the United Nations Development Programme’s Guidance on Evaluation (4) as

“The intended changes in development conditions that result from the interventions of governments and other stakeholders, including international development agencies such as UNDP.  They are medium-term development results and the contributions of various partners and non-partners.  Outcomes provide a clear vision of what has changed or will change globally or in a particular region, country or community within a period of time” (p. 3)

Knowing what outcome is, it is possible to explain outcome evaluation.  According to ‘evalcommunity.com’ (5),

“Outcome evaluation is a type of evaluation that focuses on measuring the results or outcomes of a programme or intervention.  It is a systematic and objective process that involves collecting and analysing data to determine whether the programme is achieving its intended goals and objectives, and whether the outcomes are meaningful and beneficial to the target population”.

The same ‘evalcommunity.com’ states that there are many types of outcome evaluation which include impact evaluation, outcome-focused evaluation, process evaluation, cost-benefit analysis, and realist evaluation.

In this Step/e-Workshop 11, we are dealing with outcome-focused evaluation.  Knowing the meaning of outcome evaluation, we can now explain AYRP outcome evaluation.

 

• • • What is an AYRP outcome evaluation?

 

Literature on evaluation suggests that an AYRP outcome evaluation (often known as a continuous, formative, or monitoring-based evaluation) is the process of assessing a project’s results, effects, and impacts continuously throughout its lifecycle, rather than only at the end.

While traditional ‘summative’ evaluations look back after completion, an AYR evaluation tracks changes in outcomes – such as improvements in skills, behaviours, or conditions – on an ongoing basis to ensure the project meets its intended goals.

For instance, an AYRP user can build a logic model (a visual representative of how activities lead to outcomes) at the start; then check against this model throughout the year.

Key components of AYR evaluation are continuous data collection, formative focus, focus on change, and iterative reporting.

There are benefits from this approach (that is, AYRP outcome evaluation) which are early risk mitigation, informed decision-making, accountability, and continuous improvement.

This evaluation differs from final evaluation because AYR evaluation is formative which focuses on the question ‘How can we make this better?’.  The final evaluation, which is summative, concentrates on the question ‘Did it work?’.

Let us exemplify this.

 

• • Example of Outcome Evaluating Your All-Year-Round Projects

 

Let us assume that one of our users decides to organise a 4-Km-a-day Run Project to raise money for CENFACS’ one of its noble and beautiful causes of poverty reduction, which is to support Africa-based Sister Organisations currently helping displaced persons in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In order to outcome evaluate the 4-Km-a-day Run Project, our all-year-round project user will proceed with the following:

 

∝ Ensure that their project is on course and identify the problems as they come up

(Type of problems could be if everybody taking the run manages to run 4 kilometers or not)

 

∝ Measure progress towards their objectives

(E.g., if one of the objectives was to raise £500 on a particular day, they will check fundraising progress about this objective)

 

∝ Seize new window of opportunities

(For instance, if more people turn up than initially expected, our all-year-round project user can think of the possibility of running the activity again another day)

 

∝ Deal with any challenges during project implementation

(Like to organise a networking/talk session for the extra number of attendees who could not take part in the run because there is a restriction on the number of runners)

 

∝ Recognise success and failure

(I.e., our all-year-round project user will find out what went wrong or well during the Run Project)

 

∝ Give some recommendations for the future run of the project

(I.e., ask participants to make suggestions or tell them how you will improve the project if you decide to run it again)

 

∝ Keep all records

(Of the number of participants/runners, all the people involved, money raised, incidents, accidents, reports, etc.)

 

∝ Conduct a progress review

(If it is the second time to run your project, you will review the progress made in comparison with the previous run)

 

∝ Complete evaluation in due course

(I.e., remember to tick all the boxes of you evaluation sheets/forms when you finish your project).

 

The above is one of the possible ways of outcome evaluating your All-Year-Round Projects.  For those who would like to dive deeper into Outcome Evaluation of their Play or Run or Vote project, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

Because sustainability must be part of daily project activities, this outcome evaluation will not be enough unless you incorporate Triple Value Initiatives (TVIs) in them.

 

• • Integrating Triple Value Initiatives into Your All-Year-Round Project Outcome Evaluation (11.2)

 

Integrating TVIs – social, environmental, and economic (often referred to as People, Planet, Prosperity or Environmental, Social, and Governance) – into year-round project evaluation requires shifting from once-a-year reporting to continuous monitoring and embedding sustainability metrics into standard project key performance indicators (KPIs).

There is a way of integrating these initiatives based on best practices.  It consists of following this guide:

 

a) Establish a ‘Triple Value’ framework from initiation

This involves defining materiality, creating integrated KPIs, and utilising theory of change or impact map.

 

b) Implement continuous, year-round monitoring

It is about embedding data collection into ongoing project process.  It includes iterative reviews, automate data collection, and regular stakeholder feedback.

 

c) Adopt quantitative and qualitative techniques

It encompasses using Social Return on Investment (SROI), balanced scored card, and triangulation to validate the triple value impact.

 

d) Continuous improvement and reporting

It includes actionable reporting, adaptive management, and results verification.

 

By embedding these measures into daily operations, TVIs become part of the project’s DNA rather than a compliance burden.

 

• • Working with AYRP Users on Triple Value Initiatives Integration

 

CENFACS can work with AYRP users to integrate these initiatives into their project tools and lifecycle thinking processes.  This will stop these TVIs being ‘add-on’ and enable them become part of the outcome evaluation of their AYRP success.

For those who are not familiar with project outcome evaluation as well as the integration of Triple Value Model into their AYR project, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS if they need support.

They can contact CENFACS by

phoning, texting, e-mailing and completing the contact form on this website.

We can together discuss in detail your/their proposals about either your/their Run or Play or Vote projects, as well as the integration of TVIs into these projects.

For any queries and/or enquiries about All-Year-Round Projects Lifecycle and Outcome Evaluation as well as about the Integration of Triple Value Initiatives into Projects, please contact CENFACS.

 

 

• Initiative for Poverty Reduction Without Pollution (I4PRWP) 

 

I4PRWP is a project to decouple growth from environmental degradation, enabling a green industrialisation that reduces poverty, creates jobs, and lowers carbon emissions simultaneously.

To better understand this initiative, let us highlight its aim, focus, core aspects and strategies, and benefits.

 

• • I4PRWP Aim

 

I4PRWP’s aim is to decouple economic development from pollution, thereby alleviating poverty through sustainable livelihoods, improved community health, and clean energy access.  In other words, it aims to lift people out of poverty while simultaneously improving the environment, cutting pollution, and reducing carbon emissions.

It will tackle the vicious cycle where poverty drives pollution (e.g., reliance on primitive fuels) and pollution drives poverty (e.g., illnesses that prevent work, destruction of natural resources).

 

• • I4PRWP Focus

 

I4PRWP will focus on building a green industrialisation model that leverages local resources and renewable energy rather than relying on fossil-fuel-dependent industrial growth.

I4PRWP will turn pollution into a solution, creating a ‘win-win’ scenario that protects the environment while enhancing the economic wellbeing of marginalized communities in Africa.

 

• • I4PRWP Key Aspects and Strategies

 

Among the strategies that will be involved in the implementation of I4PRWP, we can mention the following:

 

σ Integrating environment into poverty reduction and development by incorporating poverty reduction and environmental sustainability into project planning and budgeting, ensuring that ways of reducing poverty do not destroy the natural resources the poor depend on

 

σ Ecological micro-industry development through the use of natural resources, such as eco-agriculture, eco-tourism, and sustainable forestry

 

σ Sustainable agriculture and forestry by helping rural populations gain income through sustainable land-use practices rather than environmentally destructive ones

 

σ Green technology adoption by working with local people to implement green solutions and clean cooking technologies in low-income homes in Africa to cut energy bills and pollution.

 

• • I4PRWP Benefits

 

It is hoped that after the implementation of I4PRWP benefits like the following will be generated:

 

σ Improved health: Reducing indoor air pollution will reduce illnesses that force families/people into poverty

σ Sustainable livelihoods: I4PRWP will create green jobs that provide long-term income

σ Climate resilience: I4PRWP will protect ecosystems to help vulnerable communities stay resilient to climate-related disasters.

 

The full project proposals including budget are available on request.

To support or contribute to this project, please communicate with CENFACS.

For further details including full project proposals and budget about I4PRWP ; please do not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

 

 

• Climate-resilient Asset Building Programme for Households (CrABP4Hs) in 2026

 

We are resuming CrABP4Hs starting from this week.  CrABP4Hs is part of our aim of continuously empowering households, particularly those making our community.  The new version of CrABP4Hs, which is included in our Financial Controls Project, takes into account the elements of asset protection and Financial Resilience Programme for Households, which we ran so far at this time of the year.

To better introduce this new version, let us briefly explain CrABP4Hs and provide the areas we have selected in order to work with households.

 

• • Basic Understanding of CrABP4Hs

 

CrABP4Hs is a targeted initiative designed to help families – particularly low-income or vulnerable ones – protect their homes, livelihoods, and savings from the increasing impacts of climate change, such as floods, heatwaves, and storms.  It is a set of planned projects that focuses on improving the ability of homes and their occupants to withstand the impact of climate change, like extreme weather events, flooding and rising temperatures.

Through this programme, it is expected that homes will be more durable, energy-efficient, and adaptable to the changing climate, while supporting communities in building their overall resilience.

In the context of Financial Controls Project, CrABP4Hs2026 will focus on ways of supporting households in building their overall resilience.  From this perspective, CrABP4Hs2026 will include the following four elements which frame our work with these households:

 

σ Physical retrofitting and infrastructure

σ Asset protection

σ Financial inclusion and tools

σ Capacity building and education.

 

These elements will be looked at from the perspective of households since we are trying to work with them so that they could build their assets by adopting climate-resilient approach to these assets.  These elements make up the following working plan with them.

 

 

Let start the first area of this programme, area which is Physical Retrofitting and Infrastructure.

 

 

• • Climate-resilient Asset Building Programme for Households – In Focus from Wednesday 29/04/2026: Physical Retrofitting and Infrastructure

 

To start the first area of this programme, it is better to explain retrofitting and physical infrastructure for households, and how we can work with them on these matters.

 

• • • What Is Retrofitting?

 

According to ‘superhomes.org.uk’ (7),

“Retrofitting is the process of upgrading existing buildings, systems, or infrastructures with new technologies and improvements to enhance their functionality, efficiency, or safety”.

Literature on retrofitting goes further by differentiating it with renovation.  It stems from this literature that renovation focuses on aesthetics (for instance redecorating, new kitchens), whereas retrofitting is technical upgrade that improves how the building functions and aims to meet modern standards without requiring full demolition.

Types of physical retrofitting include energy retrofitting, structural retrofitting, functional and sustainability upgrades.

 

• • • What Is Physical Infrastructure for Households?

 

It emerges from the literature on infrastructure that physical infrastructure for households refers to the fundamental, tangible, and built systems that link individual homes to the broader community, providing essential services necessary for daily living, comfort, and safety.  It serves as the foundation for adequate and dignified quality of life, acting as the bridge between private property and public services.

Core components of household physical infrastructure include ‘networked utilities’ such as water supply, wastewater or sewerage, energy networks, transportation access, information and communication, waste management, etc.

For an effective household management, these components need to have features like reliability, equity, accessibility, sustainability, resilience, maintenance, and upkeep.

From the above explanations, it is possible to clarify what physical retrofitting and infrastructure are.  Physical Retrofitting and Infrastructure (PR&I) are about upgrading houses with durable, ecofriendly or disaster-resilient materials, such as elevated foundations to prevent flooding, reinforced roofs to withstand cyclones, or white, reflective paint to combat extreme heat.

This week, we are looking at issues of PR&I that households face and how we can work with them without being specialist on PR&I.

 

• • • Working with Households on PR&I

 

There are ways of working with households making the CENFACS Community on PR&I without us necessarily being retrofitters.  These ways include

 

σ Help them to find contractors to manage the retrofit journey if they are homeowners

σ Guide them to identify retrofit grant-makers

σ Inform them on retrofit matters

σ Organize workshop on retrofit issues

etc.

 

Those households interested in building climate-resilient assets through PR&I, they can work with CENFACS.

For any queries and/or enquiries about PR&I as well as Climate-resilient Asset Building Programmes for Households (including how to access this programme), please do not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

 

 

Message in French (Message en français)

 

Dans le cadre de la poursuite des travaux sur « Les Organisations Caritatives Africaines qui Promeuvent des Alternatives à l’Industrialisation à Fortes Émissions et qui Luttent contre la Pauvreté Induite par la Pollution », qui ont fait l’objet du 91e numéro de FACS, nous avons deux messages : un message pour le questionnaire électronique et un autre pour le mini-atelier thématique.

• Questionnaire électronique sur votre opinion concernant les alternatives à l’industrialisation à fortes émissions et à la pauvreté induite par la pollution

Il s’agit d’un questionnaire électronique destiné à la collecte de données. Il s’inscrit dans le cadre d’un projet de recherche sur les alternatives à l’industrialisation à fortes émissions et la réduction de la pauvreté liée à la pollution en Afrique. Trois de ces questions, liées au travail de nos Organisations Sœurs Africaines (OSA), sont les suivantes :

Q1 : Comment votre organisation suit-elle le lien entre la pollution atmosphérique et la pauvreté liée à la santé ?

Q2 : Quel est le principal obstacle au déploiement à grande échelle des technologies bas carbone en Afrique dans votre zone d’intervention (par exemple, manque de capitaux, lourdeurs réglementaires, manque de compétences techniques ou autre) ?

Q3 : Quel est l’enjeu que vous privilégieriez : le soutien aux femmes et aux jeunes pour accéder à des emplois verts ou la mise en œuvre de solutions industrielles alternatives non polluantes en Afrique ?

N’importe lequel de nos OSA et bénéficiaires peut répondre aux questions ci-dessus. Vous pouvez transmettre votre réponse directement à CENFACS.

Les personnes qui répondent à ces questions et qui souhaitent au préalable en discuter peuvent contacter le CENFACS.

• Mini-atelier thématique sur la transformation industrielle verte et la réduction de la pauvreté liée à la pollution

Cet événement de formation explore la transformation industrielle verte (c’est-à-dire un passage systémique d’une production gourmande en ressources à une production économe en ressources) et la réduction de la pauvreté liée à la pollution. Animée par des experts, cette session de formation collaborative vise à doter les participant(e)s des compétences nécessaires à la mise en œuvre de modèles économiques verts et durables.

L’atelier portera sur la transition des industries polluantes vers des pratiques régénératrices, telles que les énergies renouvelables, les initiatives d’économie circulaire et l’entrepreneuriat vert, afin de créer des emplois tout en réduisant la pauvreté et la pollution.Il abordera l’industrialisation verte (notamment les stratégies pour une production durable comme l’acier vert), l’économie circulaire (notamment les compétences en matière de valorisation des déchets) et la gestion des déchets électroniques pour réduire la pauvreté liée à la pollution.

En termes de résultats, les participants repartiront avec des plans d’action concrets, tels que des modèles d’éco-entrepreneuriat, une meilleure connaissance des techniques durables ou une compréhension plus approfondie de la finance verte.

En bref, l’atelier vise à sensibiliser les participant(e)s aux alternatives aux procédés industriels à fortes émissions et à la réduction de la pauvreté liée à la pollution, ainsi qu’aux moyens de les adopter.

Pour toute question concernant l’atelier, veuillez contacter le CENFACS.

Main Development

 

• Information, Guidance and Signposts on Alternatives to High-emission Processes and Pollution-induced Poverty Reduction

 

The following contents are related to Information, Guidance and Signposts (IGS) on Alternatives to High-emission Processes and Pollution-induced Poverty Reduction (A2HEP&PIPR):

 

σ Explaining Information, Guidance and Signposts (IGS) Services

σ Accessing IGS Services

σ Keyways of Working with Africa-based Sister Organizations (ASOs) and the CENFACS Community on IGS Services

σ Extra Support: AI-enabled Advice Service for ASOs and Individuals.

 

Let us uncover these contents.

 

• • Explaining Information, Guidance and Signposts (IGS) Services

 

In the context of these notes, IGS Services can be broken into the following:

 

σ Information Service about alternatives to high-emission processes

σ Information Service about pollution-induced poverty reduction

σ Guidance Service about alternatives to high-emission processes for organisations

σ Guidance Service about pollution-induced poverty reduction for households

σ Signposting Service about alternatives to high-emission processes for organisations

σ Signposting Service about pollution-induced poverty reduction for households.

 

Let us look at each of these services.

 

• • • Information Service about alternatives to high-emission processes

 

It is a knowledge hub, advisory platform, or technical repository that helps organisations (like ASOs) transition to low-carbon, sustainable manufacturing practices or use products from these practices.  The service focuses on decarbonizing heavy industries – such as cement, steel, and chemicals – by providing data, best practices, and guidance on technologies like electrification, green hydrogen, and carbon capture.

 

• • • Information Service about pollution-induced poverty reduction

 

This is a specialized platform, tool, or initiative that provides data, alerts and actionable advice to help low-income people and communities manage, mitigate, and adapt to the health and economic impacts of pollution.  The service links environmental quality to economic stability, aiming to break the cycle where pollution causes sickness, lost income, and deeper poverty.

Support under this service includes information about ways of minimizing exposure during high-pollution events, as well as on using cleaner household fuels to reduce health-related costs, protect livelihoods, and enhance resilience.

 

• • • Guidance Service about alternatives to high-emission processes for organisations

 

It is a framework, tool, and expert advisory service designed to help organisations (like ASOs) transition to low-carbon, sustainable operations.  The guidance service provides actionable advice on switching to cleaner fuels, improving energy efficiency, and adopting new technologies.

Under this service, alternative guidance includes fuel switching, energy efficiency, circular economy, and regulatory compliance.

 

• • • Guidance Service about pollution-induced poverty reduction for households

 

It is a structured, advisory, and policy-oriented framework designed to help households and communities mitigate environmental degradation while simultaneously lifting vulnerable households and communities out of poverty.

Key components of this guidance service are mainstreaming environment-poverty, targeted local interventions, capacity building and training, financial and technical advice, and health risk reduction.

 

• • • Signposting Service about alternatives to high-emission processes for organisations

 

It acts as a hub or guide that directs organisations (e.g., ASOs) towards low-carbon technologies, sustainable practices, and cleaner energy services.  This service is designed to help them transition to net-zero while remaining competitive.  It assists them to switch from fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives without stalling their productivity.

 

• • • Signposting Service about pollution-induced poverty reduction for households

 

It is a mechanism that connects vulnerable individuals and households experiencing poverty to support services, resources and policies designed to alleviate the health and financial burdens caused by environmental pollution.

 

Having information about these services can guide organisations and households wanting to know more about the type of support available on alternatives to high-emission processes and ways of tackling pollution-induced poverty.

 

• • Accessing IGS Services

 

Those households or members of CENFACS Community who are looking for information and guidance on alternatives to high-emission processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction and do not know what to do, CENFACS can work with them (via needs assessment conducted under CENFACS’ Leaves-based and AI-enabled Advice Service) or provide them with leads about organisations, institutions and services that can help them.

The same support service applies to overseas and Africa-based Sister Organisations.  We run an International Advice Service to that effect.   This service is designed to support Africa-based Sister Organisations.

Both households or members of CENFACS Community and ASOs  can contact CENFACS by

 

phoning, texting, e-mailing and completing the contact form on this website.

 

• • Keyways of Working with Africa-based Sister Organizations (ASOs) and the CENFACS Community on IGS Services

 

CENFACS can work with both ASOs and CENFACS members to bypass high-emission industrialisation by fostering local, sustainable economic models, providing training in green skills, and implementing community-led renewable energy projects.  These approaches will simultaneously reduce poverty and environmental pollution.

Likewise, CENFACS can tackle with them pollution-induced poverty by focusing on the intersection of environmental degradation and economic hardship, implementing solutions that provide both immediate relief and long-term, sustainable improvements to health and livelihoods.  This could involve a mix of direct community support, education, and advocacy to hold polluters accountable.

As part working together, we can provide information and guidance to address issues surrounding alternatives to high-emission processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction and support to both our members and ASOs to reduce information and knowledge gaps.  Our information and guidance services will help them foster creativity, community engagement and opportunities for growth.

For those who are looking for whereabout to find help about alternatives to high-emission industrial processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction, we can direct them.

More tips and hints relating to the matter can be obtained from CENFACS’ Advice-giving Service and Sessions. 

 

 

• • Extra Support: AI-enabled Advice Service for ASOs and Individuals

 

We are continuing to improve on our Advice Service, just as we did years ago when we introduced leaves into our advice sessions.  As new technologies come onto the poverty reduction market, we need to consider them in the ways we plan, deliver and monitor our services.  As a result, this Spring 2026 we are including AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology into our advice sessions to enhance these sessions and help further reduce poverty.

AI-enabled advice service leverages AI to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of advice delivery.  The service will utilize AI technology to provide personalised, data driven advice, improve operational efficiency and deliver this service better.  AI applications in our advice service will include predictive AI for risk assessment, robo-advisors, budgeting apps, and AI-based chatbots.  These tools will help us analyze data, solve problems, and make decisions, offering advisees tailored recommendations and insights.

 

 

• • • Advice Service for Individuals

 

We can now provide AI-enhanced advisory support to those who need it. Where our capacity is limited, we can refer and/or signpost them to relevant specialist services and organisations to help them meet their needs.

We do it under CENFACS’ Capacity Advice service which was established since 2003 (through CENFACS’ Capacity Advice and Development project for Croydon’s African and Minority Ethnic People) to help individuals gain various types of help.

 

The types of help we provide include:

 

√ Translation (English to French and vice versa)

√ Interpreting

√ General advice

√ Guidance

√ Signposting

√ Referral

√ Advocacy

Etc.

 

As we are in a digital era, we adapted the provision of this help while still retaining its essence.  You can contact CENFACS for the range of issues included in this service and to find out if your problem can be dealt with.

 

 

• • • Advice Service for Organisations 

 

The same enhancement of advice service with AI technology applies to overseas and Africa-based Sister Organisations.  We run an International Advice Service to that effect.   This service is designed to support Africa-based Sister Organisations.  Under our International Advice Service and using AI-enabled technology, we can advise them on the following matters:

 

√ Capacity building and development

√ Project planning and development

√ Poverty reduction within the context of Africa Continental Free Trade Area

√ Not-for-profit investment and development

√ Absorption capacity development

√ Fundraising and grant-seeking leads

√ Income generation and streams

√ Sustainable development

√ Monitoring and evaluation  

√ Guidance for Not-for-profit Investors about Organisations to Not-for-profit Invest for Impact in Africa.

 

Again, where our capacity to advise is limited, we can refer and or signpost them to relevant international services and organisations. This AI-enabled advisory support for Africa-based Sister Organisations is throughout the year and constituent part of our work with them.

To access this extra support or AI-enhanced advice services, please contact CENFACS.  To register for or enquire about AI-enhanced advice services, go to www.cenfacs.org.uk/services-activities.

For any enquiries and/or queries about Information, Guidance and Signposts on Alternatives to High-emission Processes and Pollution-induced Poverty Reduction, please do not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

_________

 

• References

 

(1) https://www.forbes.com/advisor/ business/what-is-bookkeeping/ (accessed in April 2026)

(2) Pass, C., Lowes, B. & Davies, L., (1988), Collins Dictionary of Economics, HarperCollins Publishers, London Glasgow

 (3) Allen, A. & May, C. (2007), Setting Up For Success – A practical guide for community organisations, Community Development Foundation, London (Great Britain)

(5) web.undp.org/evaluation/documents/guidance/UNDP_Guidance_on_Outcome-Level%20_Evaluation_2011.pdf (accessed in April 2024)

(6) https://www.evalcommunity.com/career-centre/outcome-evaluation/ (accessed in April 2024)

(7) https://superhomes.org.uk/renewable-energy/what-is-retrofitting/ (accessed in April 2026)

_________

 

• Help CENFACS Keep the Poverty Relief Work Going This Year

 

We do our work on a very small budget and on a voluntary basis.  Making a donation will show us you value our work and support CENFACS’ work, which is currently offered as a free service.

One could also consider a recurring donation to CENFACS in the future.

Additionally, we would like to inform you that planned gifting is always an option for giving at CENFACS.  Likewise, CENFACS accepts matching gifts from companies running a gift-matching programme.

Donate to support CENFACS!

FOR ONLY £1, YOU CAN SUPPORT CENFACS AND CENFACS’ NOBLE AND BEAUTIFUL CAUSES OF POVERTY REDUCTION.

JUST GO TO: Support Causes – (cenfacs.org.uk)

Thank you for visiting CENFACS website and reading this post.

Thank you as well to those who made or make comments about our weekly posts.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits and continuing support until the end of 2026 and beyond.

With many thanks.

 

Welcome to CENFACS’ Online Diary!

22 April 2026

Post No. 453

 

 

The Week’s Contents

 

• FACS Issue No. 91 of Spring 2026, Titled as African Charities Fostering Alternatives to High-emission Industrialization and Tackling Pollution-induced Poverty in Africa 

• Protection Phase/Keynote 4 from Wednesday 22/04/2026: Protection Mainstreaming and Monitoring 

• Household- and Area-focused Programmes for Assets and Economy Building for Families (H&AfP4A&EB4Hs) – In Consideration from 22/04/2026: Affordable Housing and Energy Efficiency

 

… And much more!

 

 

Key Messages

 

• FACS Issue No. 91 of Spring 2026, Titled as African Charities Fostering Alternatives to High-emission Industrialization and Tackling Pollution-induced Poverty in Africa 

 

African Charities can foster alternatives to traditional, high-emission industrialization.  They can do it by promoting green energy, sustainable, or circular economies instead of traditional, dirty industrial methods.  They can as well help communities that have been made poorer by environmental degradation (e.g., loss of fishing or farming due to pollution or high healthcare cost from toxic environments).

Statistics about both high-emission industrialization and pollution-induced poverty tell at lot the stories of these emissions and type of poverty.

Statistics about high-emission industrialization indicate that while African Charities and innovators are fostering low-emission, green industrial alternatives – such as solar-powered agriculture, electric mobility, and clean cooking stoves – their impact is hindered by limited climate change.  Essential findings are related to green alternatives, in particular renewable energy and agriculture, clean cooking and e-mobility, green innovation, etc.  Key statistical trends cover finance constraints, high-emission dependence, carbon market limitations, etc.

For instance, ‘furtherafrica.com’ (1) notes that

“With 60% of the world’s solar energy potential yet receiving just 2% of global solar investment, the continent [Africa] is well-positioned to play a central role in the global transition to green energy”.

Similarly, ‘africaclimatereports.org’ (2) points out that

“The continent [Africa] hosts 20% of the world’s carbon sinks and contributes less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet receives under 10% of adaptation finance and only 3% of total climate funding, this shortfall carries existential consequences”.

Regarding statistics linked to pollution-induced poverty, it is worth mentioning that the latter is a severe, interconnected crisis.  Key statistics on pollution-induced poverty are related to the indicators like death toll and economic cost linked to air pollution, poverty exposure as a result of living in areas with unsafe particulate matter  or PM2.5 pollution levels, the annual gross domestic product loss linked to pollution-related impacts, and energy poverty driver as a result of the lack of modern energy services.

To illustrate this poverty, the World Bank (3) estimates that

“716 million people living in extreme poverty, calculated as living on less than $1.90 per day, are directly exposed to unsafe PM2.5 concentrations; of these 405 million, or 57 percent are in Sub-Saharan Africa”.

Likewise, ‘greenpeace.org’ (4) mentions the 1.1 million deaths caused yearly by air pollution.

The 91st Issue of FACS, which has to be placed in CENFACS Year of Alternatives and of searching for alternative models and systems for poverty reduction, deals with alternatives in the fields of industrial development and industrialization.  It involves developing, promoting, and scaling economic models, technologies, and production methods that diverge from conventional, high-carbon, and extractive industrial approaches.  It focuses on creating sustainable, inclusive, and localized alternatives – such as circular economies, corporative ownership, or community-based production – to address environmental degradation, social inequality, and the limitations of traditional, resource-intensive growth, without forgetting the reduction and end of pollution-induced poverty.

The 91st Issue of FACS takes into account key theories relating to high-emission industrialization in Africa, in particular the following ones: Pollution Haven Hypothesis/Pollution Halo Effect, Environmental Kuznets Curve, the IPAT (Impact = Population x Affluence x Technology) Model/Identity, Regulatory Chill Theory/”Stuck to the Mud”, and Neoclassical Economic Theory/Pollution Nexus.  The 91st Issue of FACS approaches them not only in terms of their explanations on high-emission industrialization in Africa but also concerning pollution-induced poverty in Africa.

The 91st Issue of FACS focuses on African Charities working on climate justice, that is organisations recognizing that the poorest populations are often the most affected by industrial pollution.  The 91st Issue of FACS is also interested in development charities, which are agencies that promote clean, sustainable, and local livelihoods rather than relying on heavy pollution industries.  The 91st Issue of FACS pays some attention to the work of African Charities involved in environmental law or policy, in particular those that campaign to stop pollution at its source to prevent it from causing economic hardships.

The 91st Issue of FACS is also a story of the relationship between high-emission industrialization and pollution-induced poverty, and how African Charities are trying to play their game well in helping to reduce this form of poverty in Africa.

Far from being simply a negative portrait on high-emission and pollution information, the 91st Issue of FACS provides some positive usage examples of green alternatives in the areas of renewable energy and promoting regenerative agriculture, empowering small holders, waste-to-value innovations, clean cooking and e-mobility, green innovation, etc. to show that African Charities are engaging with local communities to overturn high-emission and pollution-led processes.  African Charities are driving change by helping local people and communities to move away from the high-emission and pollution pathways to long-term sustainability, despite some challenges.

To read the key summaries about this new Issue, please go to the Main Development section of this post.

 

 

• Protection Phase/Keynote 4 from Wednesday 22/04/2026: Protection Mainstreaming and Monitoring 

 

To start this Phase/Keynote 4, let us explain the meanings a protection mainstreaming and monitoring, highlight the sub-phases of Phase/Keynote 4, and ways of working with families on protection mainstreaming and monitoring.

 

• • What Is Protection Mainstreaming?

 

We have two definitions explaining protection mainstreaming.

The first definition is given by ‘globalprotectioncluster.org’ (5), which explains that

“Protection mainstreaming is the process of incorporating protection principles, and promoting meaningful access, safety and dignity in humanitarian aid”.

The second definition comes from the International Organization for Migration (6) which argues that

“Protection mainstreaming at IOM (International Organization for Migration) embeds the following key principles into humanitarian transition and development programmes: (a) safety and dignity and avoiding causing harm; (b) meaningful access; (c) accountability; and (d) participation and empowerment.  This approach prioritizes safety, equity and dignity, while ensuring that all individuals have access to supportive community-driven and protective environments”.

From this perspective, protection mainstreaming ensures that all humanitarian and development interventions are safe, inclusive, and respectful of human rights, forming the foundation for effective and ethical programming.  It is about how aid is delivered rather than what is delivered.

This protection can be standalone and/or integrated.  In CENFACS’ work with families, considerations will be given to both standalone protection and protection integration.

 

• • What Is Protection Monitoring?

 

In its handbook for the Protection of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), ‘unhcr.org’ (7) explains that

“The principal objective of protection monitoring is to reinforce the responsibility of State actors and relevant non-State actors to protect IDPs and other affected populations.  These State and non-State actors are referred as referred to as ‘duty-bearers’, because of their obligation to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of ‘right-holders’.  In this case, the IDPs and otherwise affected communities”.

The same ‘unhcr.org’ adds that there are principles in conducting protection monitoring.  Protection monitoring must be independent and neutral, and conducted with respect for the ‘do-no-harm’ concept.

Protection monitoring can take different forms and serve different purposes.  They can be general or community-level and/or incident or individual-level.

The above definitions of protection mainstreaming and monitoring can help to sub-divide Phase 4.

 

• • Components of Phase 4

 

Phase 4 can include the following sub-phases.

 

Phase 4.1 – Ensure ‘Do No Harm’

It is about monitoring that income generation activities do not lead to child labour, exploitation, or gender-based violence.

 

Phase 4.2 – Feedback Mechanisms

It involves setting up safe and accessible mechanisms for households to report issues or provide feedback on the effectiveness of the support.

 

Phase 4.3 – Monitoring and Evaluation

It encompasses tracking the increase in income, the reduction in negative coping strategies, and the improvement in household safety and resilience.

 

Phase 4.4 – Social Cohesion Check

It ensures that new income activities foster cohesion within the community rather than creating tension over resources.

 

There are ways of working with families to make these sub-phases effectively apply to their circumstances.

 

• • Ways of Working with Families on Protection Mainstreaming and Monitoring 

 

They involve integrating safety, dignity and access into all services we provide while empowering families to identify risks and monitor their own safety.  They can be achieved by embedding protection principles in all the services that CENFACS provides to prevent exploitation and ensure equal access.

In our approach to protection mainstreaming with these families, we shall undertake the following:

 

σ Prioritize safety and dignity

σ Ensure meaningful access

σ Empower communities

σ Safe programming.

 

As to protection monitoring with them, we shall undertake the following:

 

σ Community-based monitoring (e.g., monitoring of safety issues)

σ Participatory assessments (i.e., engage families to map out areas of concern and identify protection threats)

σ Confidential feedback mechanisms (it implies implementing safe, private and accessible complaint mechanisms for them to report issues without fear of retaliation)

σ Monitoring the impact of service delivery (that is, capturing data on whether service itself is causing risks and adapt services, projects and programmes accordingly).

 

To achieve the above ways of working together there will be practical steps for action like information sharing, targeted support, and volunteers training.  These steps will help families in need without increasing their vulnerability to harm.

The above are just some of the ways that CENFACS could use to support the community regarding basic alternative income protection.

Those who need help and support about alternative income protection and/or for any of the matters listed above falling within our capacity, they can contact CENFACS.

Those who would like to enquiry about any other issues linked to alternative income protection that are not listed above, they can still check with CENFACS if there is any help.

Those who may have some questions about Protection Mainstreaming and Monitoring for Low-income Family Protection under Protection through Alternative Income Sources and the Protection Month itself, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

 

 

• Household- and Area-focused Programmes for Assets and Economy Building for Families (H&AfP4A&EB4Hs) – In Consideration from 22/04/2026: Affordable Housing and Energy Efficiency

 

The fourth Household Focused Programme, which is Affordable Housing and Energy Efficiency, is about building or renovating homes (e.g., social housing) to create secure assets for families while lowering household energy costs.  To deal with it, let us explain it and highlight ways of working with the community on it.

 

• • What Is Affordable Housing?

 

According to ‘newbuildinginspections.com’ (8),

“Affordable housing refers to homes available for rent or purchase at prices significantly lower than those in the private market.  It aims to provide secure, quality housing for individuals and families who cannot afford market-rate homes”.

The website ‘assets.publishing.service.gov.uk’ (9) goes further by arguing that

“Affordable housing includes homes for sale or rent and is for people whose needs are not met by the private market.  Affordable housing is a key element of the government’s plan to end housing crisis, tackle homelessness and provide aspiring homeowners with a step onto the housing ladder”.

So, affordable housing applies to anyone whose housing needs are not met on the open market or cannot afford the market rent or market value (i.e., the cost of housing either for rent or for sale in the private sector).

 

• • What Is Energy Efficiency?

 

The definition selected here for energy efficiency comes from ‘marketbusinessnews.com’ (10) which explains that

“Energy efficiency is the practice of using less energy to provide the same amount of useful output from a service (such as heating water, lighting, or coaling a fridge)”.

An example of energy efficiency is using a fluorescent bulb instead of an old-style lightbulb.

Affordable housing would avoid that families unable to afford market rent or to buy to fall into housing poverty, while energy efficiency would reduce energy poverty among them.

 

• • Working with Families/the CENFACS Community on Affordable Housing and Energy Efficiency

 

It involves implementing a combination of support and advocacy for systemic improvements.  Working with them will include the following:

 

σ Direct energy efficiency services

 

These services include

 

~ Motivating them to welcome the visits of green doctors (who can conduct home energy visits to provide practical energy-saving advice and tips)

~ Telling them about the importance of participating to energy surveys as part of energy audits

~ Giving them leads to access household equipment to improve their homes making their assets.

 

σ Advocacy

 

It encompasses providing holistic support by checking if families are receiving all entitled social benefits, increasing their budget for energy costs.

 

σ Housing support

 

It Involves our members taking part in community-led housing initiatives/schemes to manage affordable housing with green energy aspects.

 

σ Education

 

It is about educated families and raising awareness about energy poverty risks and teaching them energy-saving skills.

 

Those who may be interested in working with us on Affordable Housing and Energy Efficiency, they can contact CENFACS.

Those who may have any queries and/or enquiries about Affordable Housing and Energy Efficiency or H&AfP4A&EB4Hs, they should not hesitate to communicate with CENFACS.

 

 

Extra Messages

 

• Supporting Networking and Protection against Poverty in 2026

• All-Year-Round Projects Lifecycle – Step/e-Workshop 10: Terminating Your Play, Run and Vote Projects; and Integrating Triple Value Initiatives into Your All-Year-Round Project Termination

• False Poverty Reduction as a New Area of Work within CENFACS’ Research and Development Function

 

 

• Supporting Networking and Protection against Poverty in 2026

 

The Month of Protection within CENFACS is also a giving one towards protection.  It is the month of supporting CENFACS’ Networking and Protection Project (NPP).  To support this project, one may need to understand it.

 

• • What Is CENFACS’ Networking and Protection Project?

 

It is a child poverty reduction initiative designed to help and support the vulnerably poor children from HARMS, THREATS and RISKS from any forms of exploitation, neglect and abuse in Africa.  The project helps and supports them through the improvement of the flow of information, knowledge development, self-help activities, the increase and diversification of opportunities and chances together with and on behalf of these children.

The project involves building and strengthening our connections within our community, fostering collaboration, and enhancing safety.

NPP contains three elements as follows.

 

a) Networking and protection for individual needs

 

It includes identifying protection needs for those in need of particular attention within our community, create networks of protectors, and implement safety measures to protect community members.

 

b) Networking and protection for community development

 

It is about connecting our members and sister organisations to poverty reduction spaces for resource sharing, knowledge exchange, and the development of protection and poverty-relieving solutions.

 

c) Networking and protection for a better world

 

It is about helping our members to be organised around shared concerns and work together to bring about a better world.

 

One can back this project by Supporting Networking and Protection against Poverty in 2026.

 

• • What Supporting Networking and Protection against Poverty in 2026 Is about

 

It is about the following:

 

√ Improving the flow of information with and amongst the vulnerable people and communities for poverty relief

√ Preventing and responding to any forms of vulnerability threats and risks coming from close and global environments by using protection tools and metrics at our disposal

√ Re-empowering the vulnerable by increasing and diversifying opportunities and strengths amongst them.

 

• • What Your Support Can Achieve

 

It will help

 

√ To raise awareness and improve the circulation and dissemination of information for poverty reduction and vulnerability relief

√ To prevent human exploitation (particularly child exploitation) and respond to child protection and safeguarding issues

√ To re-empower and re-strengthen poor people and communities’ capacities and capabilities to protect young generations

√ To widen and diversify opportunities to the vulnerable to escape from poverty

√ To develop a well-informed base to reduce information gap and other types of vulnerabilities linked to the lack of networking, interconnectedness and protection.

 

• • How to Support Networking and Protection against Poverty in 2026

 

You can DONATE, PLEDGE AND MAKE A GIFT AID DECLARATION of any amount as a way of supporting Networking and Protection against Poverty in 2026.

To donate, gift aid and or support differently, please contact CENFACS.

You can donate

 

*Over phone

*Via email

*Through text

*By filling the contact form on this site. 

 

On receipt of your intent to donate or donation, CENFACS will contact you.  However, should you wish your support to remain anonymous; we will respect your wish.

 

 

• All-Year-Round Projects Lifecycle – Step/e-Workshop 10: Terminating Your Play, Run and Vote Projects; and Integrating Triple Value Initiatives into Your All-Year-Round Project Termination

 

There are various reasons that can lead to project termination.  ‘Taskmanagementguide.com’ (11) states that

“Failure and success are two basic reasons for terminating projects”.

The same ‘taskmanagementguide.com’ explains that success happens when project goals and objectives are accomplished on time and under budget, while failure occurs when project requirements are not met.

The above reasons for project termination can be related to the types of project termination to a certain degree; types which could be termination by addition or by integration or by starvation.  In the end, what is project termination?

 

• • Defining Project Termination

 

There are similarities in the definition of project termination.  To simplify the matter, let us refer to the definition of ‘taskmanagementguide.com’, which is

“Project termination is a situation when a given project is supposed to be closed or finalised because there’s no more need or sense for further continuation”.

Similarly, Project Management Institute (12) argues that

“Projects by definition are time bound and must terminate”.

However, to effectively finalise a project, one needs to follow project closure procedures.

Let us follow project closure procedures to close out one of our all-year-round projects.  Before doing it, let us explain all-year-round project termination.

 

• • All-Year-Round Project (AYRP) Termination (10.1)

 

AYRP termination (or continuous project termination) refers to the active, ongoing monitoring of project health to ‘pull the plug’ on initiatives whenever necessary, rather than waiting for scheduled end dates or only evaluating them at year-end.  It represents a cultural shift that treats early termination as a normal, strategic act to stop wasting resources on failing projects rather than a failure of management.

Key aspects of AYRP termination includes active monitoring, killing projects safely, reduced waste.

Common reasons for terminating your AYRPs anytime are value erosion, strategy misalignment, technical challenges, external factors, and resource depletion.

Types of AYRP termination that can be considered are extinction, addition, integration, and starvation.

There are some benefits deriving from regular AYRP termination reviews.  These benefits include preventing ‘Never-ending stories’, reallocation of resources, and enablement of honest decision-making process.

Knowing AYRP termination, its key aspects, the common reasons for termination an AYRP, the types of termination and benefits deriving from this termination, we can look at an example of AYRP termination.

 

• • Example of Terminating Your All-year Round Projects: Case of Play Project

 

Realistically speaking, any of your All-Year-Round Projects close out just a week before 23/12/2026.  As explained above, there is a procedure for terminating them.  This procedure can be simple or complex depending on project.

Let say, you want to finalise your Play Project.  To do that, we are going to use a 8-step model of terminating a project as provided by ‘taskmanagementguide.com’ (op. cit.)

 

• • • Terminating Your Play All-year Round Project

 

To terminate your Play Project, you need proceed with the following:

 

a) Close any agreements you made with any third parties

(e.g., if you borrow materials from the library to research on poverty reduction performance of African countries, you need to close the given borrowing agreement by returning the materials, which can be a book, video, tape, etc.)

 

b) Handover responsibilities and accountabilities

(i.e., transfer assignments to your play mates)

 

c) If you have been playing with friends and family members, you will dismiss them

 

d) Release the resources used

(e.g., returning books to the lending library)

 

e) If you open a project book to record your results and accounts, you need to close it

 

f) Record and report your lessons learnt and experiences

 

g) Accept or reject your result which in this case should be the best African Country Poverty Reducer of 2026

 

h) Share your result with the community and CENFACS by 23/12/2026.

 

The above is one of the possible ways of terminating your All-year Round Projects.

For those who would like to dive deeper into Terminating their Play or Run or Vote project, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

Because sustainability must be part of daily project activities, this termination will not be enough unless you incorporate TVIs in them.

 

• • Integrating Triple Value Initiatives into Your All-Year-Round Project Termination (10.2)

 

Integrating TVIs (economic, social and environmental – often called the ‘Triple Bottom Line’ or People, Planet, Prosperity) into AYRP termination ensures that project closure delivers sustainable, long-term impact rather than just administrative completion.  This involves embedding sustainability, social value, and economic efficiency into the final handover, project review, and resource disposal phases.

Let us summarize the steps involved in this integration.

 

a) Embed Triple Value in Closure Procedures (The Process)

 

To make this part of AYRP operations, create a standard closure checklist that requires validation of all three pillars.  This includes validation of sustainable benefits, sustainable handover, and final impact reporting.

 

b) Implement Sustainable Disposal and Re-use (The ‘Planet’ Pillar)

 

Termination often generates waste.  Create protocols to handle this sustainably.  This step involves asset lifecycle management and circular procurement closure.

 

c) Ensure Social and Long-term Value (The ‘People’ Pillar)

 

This step encompasses knowledge transfer and lessons learned.

 

d) Drive Economic Value and Transition (The ‘Prosperity’ Pillar)

 

This step contains two elements: Residual value capture and handover to operations.

 

e) Cultivate a Culture of Accountability

 

Step e) is about assigning responsibility, celebrating the sustainable accomplishments and communicating.

 

So, by treating termination not as a stop, but as a handover for long-term sustainability, projects can leave a ‘lasting legacy’ that aligns with the organisation’s broader ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals.

 

• • Working with AYRP Users on Triple Value Initiatives Integration

 

CENFACS can work with AYRP users to integrate these initiatives into their project tools and lifecycle thinking processes.  This will stop these TVIs being ‘add-on’ and enable them become part of the termination of their AYRP success.

For those who are not familiar with project termination as well as the integration of Triple Value Model into their AYR project, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS if they need support.

They can contact CENFACS by

 

phoning, texting, e-mailing and completing the contact form on this website.

 

We can together discuss in detail your/their proposals about either your/their Run or Play or Vote projects, as well as the integration of TVIs into these projects.

For any queries and/or enquiries about All-Year-Round Projects Lifecycle and Termination as well as about the Integration of Triple Value Initiatives into Projects, please contact CENFACS.

 

 

• False Poverty Reduction as a New Area of Work within CENFACS’ Research and Development Function 

 

Before introducing this new area of work, let us recap on research and development within CENFACS.

 

• • Research and Development (R&D) within CENFACS

 

Research and development are at the heart of everything we do at CENFACS.  We research into new ideas to better help reduce poverty amongst our users in the community and Africa-based Organisations that work in our area of operation in Africa.  We also investigate into new ways of applying new facts and data to better help reduce poverty and hardships amongst the same beneficiaries.

The two interlinked functions (that is, research and development) within CENFACS are vital in the process of reducing poverty and enhancing sustainable development.  Although they are linked, they can also be looked at separately from the perspective of management.

Concerning the research function within CENFACS, we would like to let you know that we are continuing to research into alternative economic models and development as part of the Year of Alternatives within CENFACS.  The research will enable us to find alternative responses to poverty and how our Africa-based Sister Organisations can improve their business models in order to mitigate emerging and new challenges (stemming from aid cuts and the current energy crisis).

Regarding the development function within CENFACS, we would like to inform you that this function helps us to develop existing products, services and activities.  The function enables us to build model to check or test the feasibility of any products or services designed. Furthermore, the development function helps to initiate change of systems in CENFACS, to adapt and positively respond to changes in the poverty reduction market, to continue to develop poverty reduction model, to increase communication, etc.

 

• • False Poverty Reduction (FPR)

 

This new area of work within CENFACS R&D will deal with both false poverty reduction positives and negatives.  What is FPR?

FPR refers to an illusion of progress where poverty figures appear to drop due to manipulative accounting, low poverty lines or shifting definitions, rather than a real improvement in living standards.  It is a statistical phenomenon often driven by setting arbitrarily low international thresholds ($2.15) that do not account for inflation or the actual cost of living, making people just above the line still suffer from severe deprivation.

Key aspects of FPR include manipulating metrics, arbitrary poverty lines, ignoring inflation, triumphalist narratives, ignoring inequality, misleading metrics, etc.

FPR will act to unmask the disparity between the official poverty reduction reports and the lived experiences of people still facing immense economic hardship.  FPR will help in bridging gap in information and data about the real figures of poverty in Africa by assisting CENFACS’ Africa-based Sister Organisations and Not-for-profit Impact Investors.   It will assist those looking for poverty reduction information on a particular African country, sector or region of Africa.

Those who may be interested in FPR or would like to support it, they can contact CENFACS for further information.

 

 

Message in French (Message en français)

 

• Le 27 avril 2026 se tiendra la 16e édition de la Journée de Réflexion du CENFACS, qui sera axée sur la Protection des Femmes et des Enfants dans la Gestion des Risques Liés à l’IA (Intelligence Artificielle) en Contexte de Déplacement Interne

La protection des femmes et des enfants dans la gestion des risques liés à l’IA en contexte de déplacement interne vise à protéger les populations vulnérables de femmes et d’enfants contre les dangers accrus – tels que la traite, l’exploitation et la violence – tout en gérant les risques éthiques posés par les nouvelles technologies (comme l’IA). Elle requiert une double approche : utiliser l’IA pour renforcer la protection et l’aide humanitaire, tout en prévenant les préjudices induits par l’IA, comme les biais, les violations de données et les violences sexistes facilitées par la technologie.

En effet, la protection des enfants et des jeunes en matière de sécurité en ligne et de gestion des risques liés à l’IA, ainsi que la protection humanitaire des femmes et des enfants déplacés, s’inscrivent dans le cadre de la campagne « Droits, Justice, Action » des Nations Unies pour 2026 (13), qui vise à éliminer les obstacles structurels à l’égalité. Dans cette perspective, et sur la base des évaluations de 2026, les besoins de protection des femmes et des enfants sont fortement axés sur la prise en compte des risques numériques, de l’escalade des violences sexistes et des vulnérabilités systémiques.

La protection des enfants et des jeunes est considérée comme une nécessité urgente afin de les prémunir contre les contenus générés par l’IA, les deepfakes et le cyberharcèlement. Les établissements scolaires procèdent à des évaluations annuelles de leurs systèmes de filtrage et de surveillance. Quant à la protection humanitaire des femmes et des enfants, elle doit s’inscrire dans le cadre des priorités systémiques et mondiales en matière de protection. Celles-ci incluent la protection des femmes et des enfants déplacés contre l’exploitation, l’accès à l’eau potable et à l’assainissement, ainsi que la fourniture de services de santé pour prévenir les violences sexistes.

Il existe un lien entre la gestion des risques liés à l’IA et les personnes déplacées internes (PDI). Ce lien réside dans l’utilisation des technologies pour anticiper et atténuer les crises de déplacement, tout en gérant les graves risques éthiques et sécuritaires que l’IA fait peser sur ces populations vulnérables. C’est ce lien qui sera au cœur de notre Journée de Réflexion, le 27 avril 2026.

Notre Journée de Réflexion portera sur la tension entre le potentiel de l’IA pour améliorer l’aide humanitaire et les risques accrus de violence, d’exploitation et d’utilisation abusive des données contre les femmes et les enfants vulnérables. Pour les femmes et les enfants déplacés internes, le déplacement forcé les rend immédiatement vulnérables, car il les prive de sécurité, de papiers et de réseaux sociaux. L’IA peut aggraver les violences sexistes et les lacunes en matière de protection de l’enfance si des garanties éthiques rigoureuses ne sont pas mises en place.

Pour en savoir plus sur la Journée de Réflexion, veuillez contacter le CENFACS.

 

 

Main Development

 

• FACS Issue No. 91 of Spring 2026, Titled as African Charities Fostering Alternatives to High-emission Industrialization and Tackling Pollution-induced Poverty in Africa 

 

The contents and key summaries of the 91st Issue of FACS are given below.

 

• • Contents and Pages

 

I. Key Terms Relating to the 91st Issue of FACS (Page 2)

II. Theories and Frameworks Used in the 91st Issue of FACS (Page 2)

III. African Charities Promoting Regenerative Agriculture (Page 3)

IV. African Charities Supporting Waste-to-Wealth Technologies and Waste-to-Value Innovations (Page 3)

V. African Charities Working in Decentralized Renewable Energy Deployment (Page 4)

VI. African Charities Participating in Formalizing Green Job Training (Page 4)

VII. Les Organisations Caritatives Africaines, Défenseures d’un Air Plus Pur (Page 5)

VIII.  Les Organisations Caritatives Africaines et l’Autonomisation des Femmes grâce à l’Énergie Propre (Page 5)

IX. Des Organisations Caritatives Africaines Oeuvrant pour des Solutions d’Économie Circulaire (Page 6)

X. Les Organisations Caritatives Africaines et leur Rôle dans le Développement des Marchés Locaux (Project 6)

XI. Survey, Testing Hypotheses, E-questionnaire and E-discussion on Fostering Alternatives to High-emission Industrialization and Tackling Pollution-induced Poverty in Africa (Page 7)

XII. Support, Tool and Metrics, Information and Guidance on Alternatives to High-emission Industrialisation and Pollution-induced Poverty Reduction (Page 8)

XIII. Workshop, Focus Group and Booster Activity about Alternatives to High-emission Industrial Processes and Pollution-induced Poverty Reduction (Page 9)

XIV. Giving and Project (Page 10)

 

• • Key Summaries

 

Please find below the key summaries relating to the 91st Issue of FACS from page 2 to page 10.

 

• • • Key Terms Relating to the 91st Issue of FACS (Page 2)

 

There are three key terms used in the context of this Issue of FACS.  These terms are African Charities, High-emission Industrialization, and Pollution-induced Poverty.  Let us briefly explain these key terms.

 

• • • • African Charities (ACs)

 

ACs are not-for-profit non-governmental organisations focused on specific needs like education, health, agriculture, poverty, water, and women’s empowerment.  They work to alleviate poverty, improve public health, offer disaster relief, and empower communities through initiative like clean water access, school construction, and agricultural support.  They work within African communities or with diaspora support to create sustainable change from the ground up.

These organisations are as follows:

 

# Those working on climate justice, that is organisations recognizing that the poorest populations are often the most affected by industrial pollution

# Development charities, which are agencies that promote clean, sustainable, and local livelihoods rather than relying on heavy pollution industries

# Charities involved in environmental law or policy, in particular those that campaign to stop pollution at its source to prevent it from causing economic hardships.

 

These organisations often focus on breaking the cycle of poverty through long-term sustainable solutions rather than only immediate aid.

Examples of local and grassroots African charities include African Child Trust, Africa Advocacy Foundation, For Afrika, Village by Village, etc.

 

• • • • High-emission industrialisation (HEI)

 

HEI is described within the literature on industrialisation as an economic development model reliant on fossil fuels and intensive resource consumption, resulting in high volumes of greenhouse gases and pollution.  It predominantly stems from heavy industries like steel, cement, and chemical manufacturing, responsible for approximately 25% of global CO2 emissions.

From this definition of HEI, fostering alternatives to high-emission industrialisation involves promoting green energy, sustainable agriculture, or circular economies instead of traditional, dirty industrial methods.  It refers to the development, promotion, and scaling of economic models, technologies, and production methods that diverge from conventional, high-carbon, and extractive industrial approaches.  It focuses on creating sustainable, inclusive, and often localized alternatives – such as circular economies, corporative ownership, or community-based production – to address environmental degradation, social inequality, and the limitations of traditional, resource-based growth.

 

• • • • Pollution-induced poverty (PIP)

 

Within the literature relating to pollution and poverty, PIP is defined as a cycle where environmental contamination, and increased expenses, which in turn trap individuals, households or communities in poverty.  It acts as a poverty multiplier, where polluted air, water, and soil disproportionately affect lower-income communities, limiting their economic opportunities and driving up health-related costs.

Tackling pollution-induced poverty refers to helping communities that have been made poorer by environmental degradation (e.g., loss of fishing or farming due to pollution or high healthcare costs from toxic environments)

 

The above-named three key terms shape the contents of the 91st Issue of FACS.  However, theories and frameworks are also required to explain these alternatives and ways of tackling poverty.

 

• • • Theories and Frameworks Used in the 91st Issue of FACS (Page 2)

 

Key theories relating to high-emission industrialization in Africa include:

 

σ Pollution Haven Hypothesis/Pollution Halo Effect: Proposes that developed nations export pollution-intensive industries to African nations with weaker environmental regulations

σ Environmental Kuznets Curve: Suggests that environmental degradation increases during early industrialisation but eventually decreases as income levels and technology improve

σ The IPAT (Impact = Population x Affluence x Technology) Model/Identity: Analyses environmental impact as the product of Population (P), Affluence (A), and Technology (T), explaining how industrial growth drives pollution

σ Regulatory Chill Theory/”Stuck to the Mud”: Describes a scenario where governments hesitate to enforce strict environmental laws to avoid driving away foreign investments

σ Neoclassical Economic Theory/Pollution Nexus: Focuses on the trade-offs between economic expansion, energy consumption and environmental degradation, often suggesting carbon taxes or trading programmes to mitigate impacts.

 

The 91st Issue of FACS approaches them not only in terms of their explanations on high-emission industrialization in Africa but also concerning pollution-induced poverty in Africa.  These key theoretical frameworks help in understanding the contents of the 91st Issue.

 

 

• • • African Charities Promoting Regenerative Agriculture (Page 3)

 

ACs can impact from encouraging industrial-scale agriculture to supporting localized, resilient, and eco-friendly farming practices.  Organisations like Conservation International and Farm Africa are scaling regenerative farming to restore soil health and improve biodiversity, which serves as a foundation for a rural, green economy.

ACs can promote agro-ecological practices and low-cost solar-powered agricultural tools, such as solar dryers, to preserve food, reduce post-harvest losses, and increase incomes.  By helping to integrate renewables like solar into agricultural systems (e.g., solar irrigation), this can reduce CO2 emissions.

 

• • • African Charities Supporting Waste-to-Wealth Technologies and Waste-to-Value Innovations (Page 3)

 

ACs can train youth and communities to convert waste into income-generating, non-capital-intensive products, rich as fuel briquettes (as alternative to charcoal), biofertilizers, and recycled materials.

ACs can facilitate training on sustainable practices (crop rotation, agroforestry) and help small-scale farmers gain access to markets, reducing the need for large-scale, imported chemical heavy agriculture.

ACs can as well invest in technologies that turn agricultural waste (e.g., maize stakes, cashew waste) into valuable products like bio-briquettes, creating localized, off-grid income opportunities.

 

• • • African Charities Working in Decentralized Renewable Energy Deployment (Page 4)

 

ACs can facilitate access to solar energy in rural health centres, schools, and homes; reducing reliance on fossil fuels and reducing indoor pollution which improves health and boosts productivity.  It is proven that the lack of modern energy services (causing reliance on solid fuels for cooking) makes household pollution the leading source of deaths.

It is not a surprise if ‘healthpolicy-watch.news’ (14) mentioned in 2022 how Africa faced deaths from air pollution in the following terms:

“Air pollution causes 1.1 million deaths yearly (697,000 from household, 394,000 from ambiant pollution)”.

ACs can work with local players to reverse these figures.

 

• • • African Charities Participating in Formalizing Green Job Training (Page 4)

 

ACs are participating in formalizing green job training by training local people.  Training local workers for roles in the circular economy (repair, recycling, composting) and renewable energy sectors creates sustainable energy sectors livelihoods, reducing the economic pressure that often drives residents towards hazardous, polluting industries.

This training can also include finding waste-to-value solutions like turning kitchen/bathroom water into fertilizer or recycling sanitation waste into organic waste – which directly address sanitation-related poverty.

 

 

• • • Les Organisations Caritatives Africaines, Défenseures d’un Air Plus Pur (Page 5)

 

Les Organisations Caritatives Africaines (OCA) peuvent jouer, et jouent déjà, un rôle tout aussi important dans le domaine de la qualité de l’air. Elles (par exemple, Africa Clean Air Network, African Cities for Clean Air Initiative, Clean Air Initiative Africa, etc.) collaborent avec des villes pour mettre en œuvre un système de surveillance de la qualité de l’air et promouvoir des politiques visant à réduire la pollution atmosphérique due aux transports et à l’industrie.

 

• • • Les Organisations Caritatives Africaines et l’Autonomisation des Femmes grâce à l’Énergie Propre (Page 5)

 

Les OCA peuvent briser le cycle de précarité énergétique que subissent les femmes en Afrique. Elles peuvent mettre en œuvre, et mettent déjà en œuvre, des solutions de cuisson propres et des projets d’énergies renouvelables destinés spécifiquement aux femmes, qui sont touchées de manière disproportionnée par la pollution de l’air intérieur.

Par exemple, il a été statistiquement prouvé que des initiatives comme les cuisinières propres peuvent réduire la pollution de l’air intérieur de 90 %.

 

• • • Des Organisations Caritatives Africaines Oeuvrant pour des Solutions d’Économie Circulaire (Page 6)

 

Les systèmes d’économie circulaire en Afrique ont besoin du soutien de tous les acteurs économiques, notamment des OCA. Ces dernières soutiennent des initiatives qui transforment les déchets en ressources nutritives plutôt que de laisser polluer les ressources en eau, contribuant ainsi à la création de communautés plus saines et plus productives économiquement.

Il est clair que les initiatives menées par les OCA développent les énergies renouvelables, ce qui pourrait créer des emplois pour les populations locales et offrir une alternative durable à l’industrialisation dépendante des énergies fossiles.

 

• • • Les Organisations Caritatives Africaines et leur Rôle dans le Développement des Marchés Locaux (Project 6)

 

Les marchés constituent un autre domaine où les OCA amplifient leur impact. Les OCA accompagnent les communautés locales dans la recherche d’alternatives aux produits industriels à fortes émissions et lutte contre la pauvreté induite par la pollution afin de produire leur propre énergie renouvelable et des biens durables, réduisant ainsi leur dépendance aux importations coûteuses et polluantes.

Ce qui précède démontre que les OCA sont des motrices de changement. Il est nécessaire d’accroître les investissements en elles pour s’éloigner des modèles économiques fortement émetteurs de gaz à effet de serre qui, malgré certains progrès, menacent actuellement la durabilité à long terme.

 

 

• • • Survey, Testing Hypotheses, E-questionnaire and E-discussion on Alternatives to High-emission Industrialisation and Pollution-induced Poverty Reduction (Page 7)

 

• • • • Survey on Alternatives to High-emission Industrialisation and Pollution-induced Poverty

 

The survey focuses on lived experiences, the impact of local environmental degradation, awareness of green alternatives, and the effectiveness of current interventions.  It maps out African Organisations that promote green industrialisation, community-based climate solutions, and environmental justice.  These initiatives aim to move beyond traditional, polluting industries by fostering clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and eco-friendly waste management to improve livelihoods.

Participation to this survey is voluntary.

As part of the survey, we are running a questionnaire which contains some questions.  Among these questions, there are questions relating to pollution-induced poverty.  One of these questions covering pollution-induced poverty is:

 

Q1: How has air pollution or environmental damage affected your income or source of livelihood?

 

There are also questions dealing with the role of non-governmental organisations. One these questions is:

 

Q2: Which types of projects have you seen in your community that help reduce pollution while supporting livelihoods?

 

You can respond and directly send your answer to CENFACS.

 

 

• • • • Testing hypotheses about Fostering Alternatives to High-emission Industrialization and Tackling Pollution-induced Poverty in Africa 

 

The core hypotheses centre on leapfrogging traditional development stages utilising Africa’s vast renewable energy potential and adopting circular economy models.  These strategies aim to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, providing a sustained pathway to job creation and poverty reduction.

For those of our members who would like to dive deep into hypotheses about Alternatives to High-emission Industrialisation and Pollution-induced Poverty, they can test the inference of the following hypotheses:

 

a) The green industrialisation and leapfrogging hypothesis

This hypothesis is relating to green hydrogen and industrial feedstock and can be formulated as follows:

 

a.1) Null hypothesis (Ho): Leveraging renewable energy to produce green hydrogen and its derivatives can create new high-value industrial sectors and export opportunities 

a.2) Alternative hypothesis (H1): Leveraging renewable energy to produce green hydrogen and its derivatives cannot create new high-value industrial sectors and export opportunities.

 

b) The circular economy and sustainable manufacturing hypothesis

This hypothesis is linked to waste-to-resource models and can be expressed in this way:

 

b.1) Null hypothesis (Ho): Shifting from linear ‘take-make-disposal’ systems to circular models can reduce pollution while creating jobs 

b.2) Alternative hypothesis (H1): Shifting from linear ‘take-make-disposal’ systems to circular models cannot reduce pollution while creating jobs 

 

c) Pollution-induced poverty reduction hypothesis

This hypothesis can be elaborated for clean energy access for productive use in the following terms:

 

c.1) Null hypothesis (Ho): Scaling up distributed renewable energy for rural and urban manufacturing creates a ‘triple win’ of economic growth, emission reduction, and employment for low-income populations

c.2) Alternative hypothesis (H1): Scaling up distributed renewable energy for rural and urban manufacturing does not create a ‘triple win’ of economic growth, emission reduction, and employment for low-income populations.

 

The above tests to be carried out are for those of our members who would like to dive deep into Alternatives to High-emission Industrialisation and Pollution-induced Poverty.  In order to conduct these tests, they need data.

 

• • • • E-questionnaire on your view about Alternatives to High-emission Industrialisation and Pollution-induced Poverty

 

This is an electronic questionnaire to be used for data collection.  It is part of a research project on Alternatives to High-emission Industrialisation and Pollution-induced Poverty Reduction in Africa.    Three of these questions, which are linked to the work that our Africa-based Sister Organisations (ASOs) do, are:

 

Q1: How does your organisation track the intersection of air pollution and health-related poverty?

Q2: What is the biggest obstacle to scaling up low-carbon technology in Africa in your area of intervention (e.g., lack of capital, regulatory bottlenecks, lack of technical skills or something else)? 

Q3: Which one is the issue you would consider the most: support for women and youth in obtaining green jobs or implementing alternative non-polluting industrial solutions in Africa? 

 

Any of our ASOs and users can answer the above-mentioned question.  You can provide your answer directly to CENFACS.

For those answering these questions and needing first to discuss the matter, they can contact CENFACS.

 

 

• • • • E-discussion on Sustainable Industrialisation and Pollution-induced Poverty Trap

 

This e-discussion or online dialogue is on…

 

Promoting industry that is inclusive, resource-efficient, as well as dealing with pollution causing low economic performance that is difficult to escape.

 

For those of our members who may have any views or thoughts or even experience to share with regard to this matter, they can join our e-discussion to exchange their views or thoughts or experience with others.

To e-discuss with us and others, please contact CENFACS.

 

 

• • • Support, Tool and Metrics, Information and Guidance on Alternatives to High-emission Industrialisation and Pollution-induced Poverty Reduction (Page 8)

 

 

• • • • Support on services dealing with alternatives to high-emission processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction 

 

This support focuses on building capacity, targeted education, community-based advocacy, and economic empowerment to foster a green transition.

Those who are interested in this support can as well ask CENFACS for Guidance on organisations that prioritise alternatives to high-emission processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction over profit.  CENFACS can guide them on where to find them.

The above-mentioned areas of guidance can also be done through capacity building, advocacy, advice, networking, signposting, etc. run by CENFACS.

For those African Charities, especially CENFACS’ Africa-based Sister Organisations that are looking for guidance or direction for those services, CENFACS is prepared to work with them on this matter.

CENFACS can work with them to explore ways of aligning their mission with alternatives to high-emission processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction.

We can work with them under our International Advice-, Guidance- and Information-giving Service.  We can as well signpost them to organisations working on the double transfer matters.

Need advice, guidance and information; please contact CENFACS for support.

 

 

• • • • Tools and metrics of the 91st Issue of FACS

 

A blend of technological tools and impact metrics can be used to measure environmental improvement and poverty reduction in the context of alternatives to high-emission processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction.

What are these tools?  Among them, we can mention the following key performance indicators and metrics.

 

a) Environmental metrics (alternatives to high-emission industrialisation)

They are:

 

σ Carbon Emission Reduced or Avoided (calculated in tCO2e per year)

σ Renewable Energy Capacity = Number of people with new access to electricity via solar/wind

σ Waste Management Impact = Percentage reduction in open waste burning in cities

σ Reforestation and Biodiversity = Hectares reforested or protected

 

b) Social metrics (alternatives to pollution-induced poverty)

Three metrics have been identified, which are:

 

σ Multi-dimensional Poverty Index: It tracks improvements in education, health, and living standards, rather than just income

σ Improvement in Climate Resilience = Number of people with improved climate resilience

σ Household Food Consumption/Expenditure: Proxies to track income improvements and poverty reduction.

 

The above-mentioned range of tools and many others are available for use for those who would like to understand alternatives to high-emission processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction.

 

 

• • • • Information, guidance and signposts on alternatives to high-emission processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction

 

Information, Guidance and Signposts (IGS) on alternatives to high-emission processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction are resources that provide expertise and support for those looking for IGS on these matters.

IGS offers guidance, capacity building and knowledge products that inform stakeholders on alternatives to high-emission processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction.

IGS includes three types or areas of support via CENFACS, which are:

 

a) Information service: making available information about services relating to alternatives to high-emission processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction for those looking for this information

b) Guidance service: includes orientation, counselling, exploration and placement on Services and Entities focusing on alternatives to high-emission processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction to help people and organisations make informed decisions and adjust to life’s changes

c) Signposting service: guides individuals to other organisations or support networks that can better meet their needs in alternatives to high-emission industrial processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction.  It links organisations to resources for decarbonizing operations (e.g., reduce carbon footprints in humanitarian responses)

Let us briefly explain these services.

 

• • • • • Information Service about alternatives to high-emission processes

 

It is a knowledge hub, advisory platform, or technical repository that helps organisations (like ASOs) transition to low-carbon, sustainable manufacturing practices or use products from these practices.  The service focuses on decarbonizing heavy industries – such as cement, steel, and chemicals – by providing data, best practices, and guidance on technologies like electrification, green hydrogen, and carbon capture.

 

• • • • • Information Service about pollution-induced poverty reduction

 

This is a specialized platform, tool, or initiative that provides data, alerts and actionable advice to help low-income people and communities manage, mitigate, and adapt to the health and economic impacts of pollution.  The service links environmental quality to economic stability, aiming to break the cycle where pollution causes sickness, lost income, and deeper poverty.

Support under this service includes information about ways of minimizing exposure during high-pollution events, as well as on using cleaner household fuels to reduce health-related costs, protect livelihoods, and enhance resilience.

 

• • • • • Guidance Service about alternatives to high-emission processes for organisations

 

It is a framework, tool, and expert advisory service designed to help organisations (like ASOs) transition to low-carbon, sustainable operations.  The guidance service provides actionable advice on switching to cleaner fuels, improving energy efficiency, and adopting new technologies.

Under this service, alternative guidance includes fuel switching, energy efficiency, circular economy, and regulatory compliance.

 

• • • • • Guidance Service about pollution-induced poverty reduction for households

 

It is a structured, advisory, and policy-oriented framework designed to help households and communities mitigate environmental degradation while simultaneously lifting vulnerable households and communities out of poverty.

Key components of this guidance service are mainstreaming environment-poverty, targeted local interventions, capacity building and training, financial and technical advice, and health risk reduction.

 

• • • • • Signposting Service about alternatives to high-emission processes for organisations

 

It acts as a hub or guide that directs organisations (e.g., ASOs) towards low-carbon technologies, sustainable practices, and cleaner energy services.  This service is designed to help them transition to net-zero while remaining competitive.  It assists them to switch from fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives without stalling their productivity.

 

• • • • • Signposting Service about pollution-induced poverty reduction for households

 

It is a mechanism that connects vulnerable individuals and households experiencing poverty to support services, resources and policies designed to alleviate the health and financial burdens caused by environmental pollution.

Having information about these services can guide organisations and households wanting to know more about the type of support available on alternatives to high-emission processes and ways of tackling pollution-induced poverty.

Those households or members of CENFACS Community who are looking for information and guidance on alternatives to high-emission processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction and that do not know what to do, CENFACS can work with them (via needs assessment conducted under CENFACS’ Leaves-based Advice Service) or provide them with leads about organisations, institutions and services that can help them.

We can provide information and guidance to address issues surrounding alternatives to high-emission processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction and support to both our members and ASOs to reduce information and knowledge gaps.  Our information and guidance services will help them foster creativity, community engagement and opportunities for growth.

For those who are looking for whereabout to find help about alternatives to high-emission industrial processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction, we can direct them.

More tips and hints relating to the matter can be obtained from CENFACS’ Advice-giving Service and Sessions.

To make an appointment for Advice Service or Sessions, please contact CENFACS by providing your name and contact details.

 

 

• • • Workshop, Focus Group and Booster Activity about Alternatives to High-emission Industrial Processes and Pollution-induced Poverty Reduction (Page 9)

 

 

• • • • Mini themed workshop on green industrial transformation and pollution-induced poverty reduction

 

It is a training or learning event that will explore the green industrial transformation (that is, a systemic shift from resource-intensive to resource-efficient production) and pollution-induced poverty reduction. It is a collaborative expert-led training session, designed to equip participants with skills to implement green, sustainable economic models.

The workshop will focus on shifting from polluting industries to regenerative practices, such as renewable energy, circular economy initiatives, and green entrepreneurship, thereby creating jobs while reducing poverty and pollution.  It will be on green industrialisation (on strategies to create sustainable manufacturing like green steel), circular economy (skills on waste-to-value), e-waste management to reduce pollution-induced poverty.

In terms of outcomes, participants will leave with actionable plans, such as eco-entrepreneurship models, increased knowledge of sustainable techniques, or a deeper understanding of green finance.

Briefly, the workshop aims to educate participants about alternatives to high-emission industrial processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction and ways of embracing them.

To enquire about the workshop, please contact CENFACS.

 

 

• • • • Focus group discussion on substitutes to high-emission processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction

 

The focus group will be a qualitative research method to be used to gather in depth perspectives from local stakeholders on alternatives to high-emission processes and pollution-induced poverty reduction.

The focus group will bring together a small group of individuals (between 6 and 10) making the CENFACS Community and others to…

 

to explore community needs, evaluate existing ‘green’ or sustainable projects, and determine how to replace polluting practices with livelihood-enhancing alternatives.

 

The focus group will focus on community health and clean environment by assessing the impact of pollution, particularly household air pollution from cooking fuels, and promoting cleaner alternatives.

To take part in the focus group, group that will use deliberative practice strategies, please contact CENFACS.

 

• • • • Booster activity: ‘Talking to a Green Doctor or Independent Energy Advisor’

 

This is a targeted, action-oriented initiative designed to accelerate, scale up, or amplify the impact of local green solutions.  The activity is about capacity building to turn waste into economic opportunities and clean energy.  It is a ‘waste-to-value’ initiative that trains to train participants to convert waste into household, or energy products, turning pollution into income.

It is finally a user involvement activity revolves around the answers to the following question:

 

Do you talk to a Green Doctor or an Independent Energy Advisor if you need advice on reducing high-emission industrial reliance at the household level, focusing on retrofitting, renewable energy, and sustainable lifestyle changes? 

 

Green doctors offer free, independent home visits to review energy use, suggest retrofits, and help with insulation and ventilation.  Energy advisors specialize in analysing home energy consumption and recommending insulation, heat pumps, or efficient appliances.

Those who would like to answer this question and participate to our ‘Talk to a Green Doctor or Independent Energy Advisor’ event, they are welcome.

To take part in this activity, please contact CENFACS.

 

 

• • • Giving and Project (Page 10)

 

• • • • Readers’ giving

 

You can support FACS, CENFACS bilingual newsletter, which explains what is happening within and around CENFACS.

FACS also provides a wealth of information, tips, tricks and hacks on how to reduce poverty and enhance sustainable development.

You can help to continue its publication and to reward efforts made in producing it.

To support, just contact CENFACS on this site.

 

• • • • Initiative for Poverty Reduction Without Pollution (I4PRWP) 

 

I4PRWP is a project to decouple growth from environmental degradation, enabling a green industrialisation that reduces poverty, creates jobs, and lowers carbon emissions simultaneously.

The project’s aim is to decouple economic development from pollution, thereby alleviating poverty through sustainable livelihoods, improved community health, and clean energy access.

I4PRWP will focus on building a green industrialisation model that leverages local resources and renewable energy rather than relying on fossil-fuel-dependent industrial growth.

I4PRWP will turn pollution into a solution, creating a ‘win-win’ scenario that protects the environment while enhancing the economic wellbeing of marginalized communities in Africa.

To support or contribute to I4PRWP, please contact CENFACS.

For further details including the implementation plan of the I4PRWP, please contact CENFACS.

The full copy of the 91st Issue of FACS is available on request.

For any queries and comments about this Issue, please do not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

_________

 

• References

 

(1) https: //furtherafrica.com/2025/01/24/africa-poised-to-lead-global-green-industrialisation-with-renewable-energy-potential/(accessed in March 2026)

(2) https://africaclimatereports.org/2025/11/cop30-africa-looks-to-triple-adaptation-finance-by-2030/(accessed in March 2026)

Welcome to CENFACS’ Online Diary!

15 April 2026

Post No. 452

 

 

The Week’s Contents

 

• Coming on 27/04/2026: The 16th Edition of CENFACS Reflection Day with a Focus on Protection of Women and Children in AI Risk Management within Internal Displacement Settings

• Protection Phase/Keynote 3 from Wednesday 15/04/2026: Implementation and Support for Low-income Family Protection

• Household- and Area-focused Programmes for Assets and Economy Building for Families (H&AfP4A&EB4Hs) – In Consideration from 15/04/2026: Financial Inclusion and Education

… And much more!

 

 

Key Messages

 

• Coming on 27/04/2026: The 16th Edition of CENFACS Reflection Day with a Focus on Protection of Women and Children in AI Risk Management within Internal Displacement Settings

 

The Protection of Women and Children in AI Risk Management within Internal Displacement Settings involves securing vulnerable women and children’s populations from heightened dangers – such as trafficking, exploitation, and violence – while navigating the ethical risks posed by new technologies (like AI).  It requires a twin approach: using AI to enhance protection and humanitarian delivery, while preventing AI-driven harm like bias, data breaches, and technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV).

Indeed, protection for children and young people in terms of online safety and AI risk management and humanitarian protection of displaced women and children are framed within the context of the United Nations “Rights, Justice, Action” Campaign for 2026 (1), which aims to dismantle structural barriers to equality.  From this perspective and based on 2026 assessments, the protection needs of women and children are heavily focused on addressing the intersection of digital risks, escalating gender-based violence (GBV), and systemic vulnerabilities.

The protection for children and young people is seen as an urgent need to protect them from AI-generated content, deepfakes, and cyberbullying, with schools implementing yearly reviews of filtering and monitoring.  As to the humanitarian protection of women and children, it has to be placed within the context of systemic and global protection priorities which include protecting displaced women and children from exploitation, ensuring safe water and sanitation, and providing health services to prevent gender-based violence.

There is a link between AI risk management and internally displaced persons (IDPs), which lies in using technology to predict and mitigate displacement crisis while managing the severe ethical and safety risks AI poses to these vulnerable populations.  It is this link that our Reflection Day, which is on 27/04/2026, is about.

Our Reflection Day will involve navigating the tension between AI’s potential to improve humanitarian aid and the heightened risks of violence, exploitation, and data misuse for vulnerable women and children.  For internally displaced women and children, forced displacement creates a case of vulnerability at first sight as it strips them of safety, documentation, and social networks.  AI can exacerbate existing gender-based violence and child protection gaps if there are no rigorous ethical safeguards.

More on the Reflection Day can be found under the Main Development section of this post.

 

 

• Protection Phase/Keynote 3 from Wednesday 15/04/2026: Implementation and Support for Low-income Family Protection

 

To implement and support low-income family protection, it is better to understand what it means and involves.  It also requires highlighting these components of implementation and support.  It finally needs to explain ways of working families so that they can get protected through implementation and support.

 

• • What Is Implementation and Support for Low-income Family Protection?

 

It emerges from the literature survey on protection that implementation and support for low-income family protection refers to the practical, operational, and preventative services designed to strengthen financial security, alleviate poverty, and prevent family crisis.  These services are designed to build resilience and help low-income families move towards independence while ensuring a sustainable local safety net.

 

• • What Do these Implementation and Support Involve?

 

They involve a ‘whole system’ approach combining all efforts (i.e., government policy, local authority actions, voluntary sector and charitable works) to deliver direct aid and wrap-around services.

Implementation involves delivering financial and social aid directly to families and creating systems to make these services accessible.

Support focuses on preventing the need for statutory intervention (such as child protection proceedings) through early intervention.

Key aspects include early help services, advice and financial inclusion, muti-agency partnerships, cash first approach, etc.

 

• • What Are the Components of Phase 3?

 

Phase 3 includes start-up kits and grants, establishing saving groups, linkages to markets, and support for vulnerable groups.  Let us summarise each of these elements.

 

Phase 3.1: Start-up Kits and Grants

It involves distributing tools, raw materials, or livestock along with technical support to start the activity.

 

Phase 3.2: Establishing Saving Groups

It includes encouraging participation to help household save for at least a year before thinking of a larger project.

 

Phase 3.3: Linkages to Markets

It encompasses creating links between beneficiaries and existing markets like community food hubs.

 

Phase 3.4: Support for Vulnerable Groups

It focuses on home-based income generation for households with members with limited mobility. (e.g., the elderly and disabled).

 

• • Ways of Working with Families on Implementation and Support to Enhance the Fences of Their Protection

 

There are households within our community that can handle the problems of their needs of alternative income protection by themselves.  There are others that need support or to work with somebody else in order to navigate their way to the solution about problems related to alternative income protection. 

For the latter ones, CENFACS can work with them in order to find the level of protection they need to resolve their problem of alternative income protection.  Working with the latter can be on early interventions, conducting strategic needs analysis, designing interventions that centre on families, etc.

The above are just some of the ways that CENFACS could use to support the community regarding basic alternative income protection.

Those who need help and support about alternative income protection and/or for any of the matters listed above falling within our capacity, they can contact CENFACS.

Those who would like to enquiry about any other issues linked to alternative income protection that are not listed above, they can still check with CENFACS if there is any help.

Those who may have some questions about Implementation and Support for Low-income Family Protection under Protection through Alternative Income Sources and the Protection Month itself, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

 

 

• Household- and Area-focused Programmes for Assets and Economy Building for Families (H&AfP4A&EB4Hs) – In Consideration from 15/04/2026: Financial Inclusion and Education.

 

To deal with the third Household Focused Programme, which is Financial Inclusion and Education, let us explain it and highlight ways of working with the community on it.

 

• • What Is Financial Inclusion? What Is Financial Education?

 

According to ‘business-standard.com’ (2),

“Financial inclusion is the process of ensuring access to financial products and services needed by vulnerable groups at an affordable cost in a transparent manner by institutional players”.

The same ‘business-standard.com’ adds that

“It aims to ensure that the poor and marginalised make the best use of their money and attain financial education”.

So, financial inclusion helps bring solutions to the financial problems they may experience.  This inclusion can be improved with some education.

Financial education is defined by ‘savingssavey.com’ (3) as

“The process of providing individuals with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to make informed decisions about personal finances”.

Similarly, ‘financialeducatorscouncil.org’ (4) states that

“Financial education is the process of learning the skills and knowledge on financial matters to confidently take effective action that best fulfils an individual’s personal, family and global community goals”.

Both financial inclusion and education help empower families/households to take control of their financial lives.

 

• • Working with Families/the CENFACS Community on Financial Inclusion and Education

 

It involves the following:

 

# Adopting a holistic, non-judgmental and intergenerational approach that connects financial literacy with practical support such as CENFACS’ initiative about Alternative Income Sources and Projects to support low-income families

# Integrating financial education into our existing family/household support services

# Supporting them to build resilience through tailored, hands-on interventions

# Expanding our existing financial projects and programmes (like Financial Monitoring and Controls in 2026) to cover the hard-to-reach in CENFACS Community and sister communities so that no one is left behind in terms of financial inclusion and education.

 

Those who may be interested in working with us on Financial Inclusion and Education, they can contact CENFACS.

Those who may have any queries and/or enquiries about Financial Inclusion and Education or H&AfP4A&EB4Hs, they should not hesitate to communicate with CENFACS.

 

 

Extra Messages

 

• Protection of Endangered Animals in Africa: The Case of Grauer’s Gorilla

• All-Year-Round Projects Lifecycle – Step/Workshop 9: Reviewing Your Play, Run and Vote Projects; and Integrating Triple Value Initiatives into Your All-Year-Round Project Reviews

• Double Journaling All-Year-Round Projects (AYRPs) with the Integration of Triple Value Initiatives (TVIs): Write a Double-entry Journal of Your AYRP Lifecycle and TVIs

 

 

• Protection of Endangered Animals in Africa: The Case of Grauer’s Gorilla

 

We continue to advocate for the protection of animals (fauna) in Africa and elsewhere in developing world whereby animals get killed, illegally or illicitly traded and extinct to such extent that some species are at the brink of disappearing.  One of these animals that need protection is Grauer’s Gorilla.

 

• • What Is Grauer’s Gorilla?

 

It emerges from the literature review on animals in Africa that Grauer’s Gorilla – also known as the eastern lowland gorilla (Gorilla beringei grauer) is a critically endangered subspecies of eastern gorilla endemic exclusively to the mountainous forests of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).  They are the largest of the four-gorilla subspecies, with males often exceeding 500 lbs, and have seen their population decline by over 80% in the last 20 years bringing the total count to fewer than 7,000.

Ket facts describe Grauer’s Gorilla in terms of their location, appearance and diet.

They are found only in the eastern DRC, primarily in Maiko National Park, Kahuzi-Biega National Park, and the Tayna Gorilla Reserve.

In terms of appearance, they are large, stocky primates with short, jet-black coats.

Concerning their diet, they are primarily herbivorous, feeding on fruits, leaves, bark, and insects.

 

• • Conservation Status of Grauer’s Gorilla

 

Grauer’s Gorilla is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List.  The population has suffered drastic decline of roughly 80% over the last 20 years.

The primary threats for Grauer’s Gorilla are habitat destruction, poaching, civil unrest in the region where they live, and diseases.

 

• • Ways of Helping to Save Grauer’s Gorilla

 

To save the Grauer’s Gorilla population, the following protection actions can be taken:

 

# Reduce and end the illegal trade of bushmeat

# Enforce wildlife laws and conservation management in the Democratic Republic of Congo, especially around the Grauer’s Gorilla habitat

# Tackle Grauer’s Gorilla habitat destruction and degradation

# Improve agriculture conservation and urban development in the vicinity of the Grauer’s Gorilla habitat

# Carry out afforestation near Grauer’s gorilla sites to maintain the Grauer’s Gorilla habitats

# Treat infectious diseases linked to human borne and natural pathogens found in Grauer’s Gorilla

# Support CENFACS’ action on the Protection of Endangered Animals in Africa, particularly the Big Beasts Advocacy

# Donate to charities and other voluntary organisations working on the Grauer’s Gorilla issue or similar campaigns

# Make a gift to protect vulnerable species like Grauer’s Gorilla.

 

Those members of our community who are interested in advocating with us for the protection of Grauer’s Gorilla, they are welcome to get involved in this advocacy drive. Other individuals can also join in.

Those African organisations working on Grauer’s Gorilla matter and have the same concern as ours, they can share with us their experience and work on this matter of protecting the Grauer’s Gorilla.

To get involved or share your work about the protection of Grauer’s Gorilla, please contact CENFACS.

 

 

• All-Year-Round Projects Lifecycle – Step/Workshop 9: Reviewing Your Play, Run and Vote Projects; and Integrating Triple Value Initiatives into Your All-Year-Round Project Reviews

 

You can start reviewing Your Play, Run and Vote Projects, while the monitoring and observability of the same projects are still going on.  But what are project reviews?

 

• • Basic Understanding of Project Reviews (9.0)

 

Project reviews can be explained in many ways depending on any approaches taken.  Referring to the explanation of ‘fox-plan.com’ (5),

“A project review is an evaluation of the current progress of a project at a specific point of the project (milestone)… A project review will provide you with a thorough knowledge of the current status of your project and if it is on track to meet your success criteria”.

There can be many or staggered reviews in a project depending on a project size, scope, scale, progress, complexity and resource availability.  These different reviews can include initial review, completion review, special review and follow-up review.  Also, to better review a project it is preferable to design a review process with guidelines, evidence and tools.

Furthermore, project reviews depend on the type of projects.  In our case, the type of review we have in mind is of All-Year-Round Projects.  Their review will not be enough unless one integrates Triple Value Initiatives into them.  Because of that, e-Step/Workshop 9 will have two sub-steps, which are

 

a) Reviewing Your Play, Run and Vote Projects

b) Integrating Triple Value Initiatives into Your Play, Run and Vote Project Reviews

 

Let us cover these sub-steps.

 

• • Reviewing Your Play, Run and Vote Projects (9.1)

 

An all-year-round review – often referred to as an Annual Project Review (APR) or a Year-End Review – is a comprehensive, high-level evaluation conducted to assess a project’s performance, outcomes, and strategic alignment over the past 12 months.  Unlike day-to-day or weekly progress checks, this review takes a ‘big picture’ look to document lessons learned, evaluate resource utilization, and ensure the project is on track to meet its long-term goals.

This review includes the following elements: performance evaluation, documentation of lessons learned, shareholder satisfaction, and strategic adjustment.

Many of our AYRP users will ask when they need to conduct this review.  It is preferrable to conduct it at the key developmental milestones.  In doing it this way, it helps capitalize on the insights gained from their AYRPs.

Reviewed areas can include scope and deliverables (evaluating if their AYRPs meet the baseline plan), operational budget (looking back at their spending compared to the initial budget), resource utilisation (evaluating resources allocated to their AYRPs were used).

Their review approaches can be project post-mortem, continuous improvement, and external or independent ones.

If they would like an external review, CENFACS is available to help so that they can turn the work they carried out on their AYRPs into actionable insights.

 

 

• • Example of Reviewing Your All-year Round Projects

 

Let us consider Voting Your 2026 International Development and Poverty Reduction Manager.

In order to review your Vote Project, you will proceed with the following three review tasks:

 

a) Examine and audit your planned tasks, activities, procedures, events and other work about the project

b) Identify if the amount of work you put in your project responded to your Vote Project requirements

c) Work out additional resources to help you complete the project.

 

The above is a simple version of project reviews.  For those who would like to dive deeper into Reviewing their Play or Run or Vote project, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

Because sustainability must be part of daily project activities, reviews will not be enough unless you incorporate TVIs in them.

 

• • Integrating Triple Value Initiatives into Your All-Year-Round Project Reviews (9.2)

 

Integrating TVIs – encompassing economic, environmental, and social impact – into AYRP reviews requires embedding them into the core project lifecycle, governance, and reporting systems.  This is achieved by transforming project reviews from pure progress tracking into performance evaluations that use standardised metrics to track social value, carbon reduction, and financial health.

There is a guide for integrating TVIs into project reviews; guide which includes the following steps:

 

a) Embed Triple Value into Planning and Setup

It involves defining measurable outcomes early, mandating sustainability in risk registers, and selecting suppliers based on EESS (ethical, environmental, and social standards)

 

b) Implement Year-Round Monitoring or the Golden Thread

It consists of establishing key performance indicators and using automate reporting and audits

 

c) Integrate into Regular Project Reviews

It encompasses standardizing agenda items, conducting regular audits, and reviewing AYRPs against social value plans

 

d) Create Accountability and Cultural Buy-in

It includes appointing a social value champion, creating a community of practice if your AYRP involved many people, and incentivizing success.

 

By following this guide, AYRP users can effectively integrate TVIs into their projects.

 

• • Working with AYRP Users on Triple Value Initiatives Integration

 

CENFACS can work with AYRP users to integrate these initiatives into their project tools and lifecycle thinking processes.  This will stop these TVIs being ‘add-on’ and enable them become part of the reviews of their AYRP success.

For those who are not familiar with project reviews as well as the integration of Triple Value Model into their AYR project, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS if they need support.

They can contact CENFACS by

 

phoning, texting, e-mailing and completing the contact form on this website.

 

We can together discuss in detail your/their proposals about either your/their Run or Play or Vote projects, as well as the integration of TVIs into these projects.

For any queries and/or enquiries about All-Year-Round Projects Lifecycle and Reviews as well as about the Integration of Triple Value Initiatives into Projects, please contact CENFACS.

 

 

• Double Journaling All-Year-Round Projects (AYRPs) with the Integration of Triple Value Initiatives (TVIs): Write a Double-entry Journal of Your AYRP Lifecycle and TVIs

 

You can write and reflect on what you are doing as TVI/AYRP user or beneficiary.  You can write each journal separately (that is, Journal for AYRPs and Journal for the integration of TVIs into AYRPs).  You can as well write or combine both journals to produce a double-entry journal.  What are all these journals (i.e., single-entry, double entry journal)?

 

• • Journal for AYRPs

 

A Journal for AYRPs involves consistently documenting, observing, and reflecting on the themes of your AYRPs or what you are doing to implement your AYRPs over the course of entire year (2026).  It is designed to track progress, foster curiosity, and build a detailed record of growth or seasonal changes.

 

• • Journal Highlighting the Integration of Your TVIs into AYRPs

 

A journaling activity focused on the integration of TVIs (social, environmental, and economic) into AYRPs is a structured reflective practice designed to document how an AYRP (that is, Play or Run or Vote Project) delivers benefits beyond mere economic return.

This activity involves regularly recording how “3P” initiatives (People, Planet, Prosperity) are embedded into daily AYRP tasks, identifying bottlenecks, and reflecting on the measurable impacts achieved.

 

• • Double-entry Journal

 

Instead of writing two separate or single-entry journals (one for AYRPs and another for TVIs Integration), you could have the two journals as a double-entry journal. What is it?

Double journaling activity in AYRPs would be a reflective, two-column method used to document and analyze long-term, continuous or live projects.  The process pairs observations with critical reflections, allowing participants to track changes, learn from experience over time, and keep an active record of progress.

Double journaling of AYRPs is a reflective technique used to track both the explicit actions of a project and the implicit, deeper learning or critical thinking surrounding them.  It is often used to map sustainability issues or complex long-term goals over project’s lifecycle, aligning them with triple value or Triple Bottom Line initiatives – People, Planet, Prosperity – to ensure projects deliver sustainable long-term impact rather than just immediate, short-term outputs.

For instance, in the case of AYRPs, you can write down on Journal A/Left Column what you did each day/week/month in bullet points as part of these projects (Play, Run and Vote).  On the Journal B/Right Column, you can explicitly track how your AYRPs (Run, Play and Vote) have delivered value across TVIs (People, Planet and Prosperity).

The double journaling activity is therefore part of a wider action research-project to ensure that triple value initiatives are not just reported at the end, but actively drive the project throughout its lifecycle.

To conduct this double journaling activity, one needs to proceed with the following:

σ Contextualise (that is, document how decisions affect social, environmental, and economic outcomes)

σ Track action (i.e., record specific, small actionable changes)

σ Conduct reflective analysis (It means evaluate the effectiveness of TVIs)

σ Engage stakeholders (It is about documenting interactions).

So, double journaling activity allows to track whether TVIs are actually being achieved (Right Column/Journal B) through actions taken (Left Column/Journal A).

Journaling a TVI/AYRP activity can have benefits.  To get those benefits, one needs to have a goal and plan activities/achievements.

 

• • Benefits of Journaling Your TVI/AYRP

 

The journal will help you to capture the moments of your TVI/AYRP via expressive writing and story.  It can have other benefits such as the following ones:

 

σ setting up goals

σ tracking or measuring your progress on TVI/AYRP

σ recording results and celebrating achievements

σ gaining both general and specific perspectives from your TVI/AYRP.

 

You can even show your style and express your feeling or character through your writing.  Another good thing of journaling your TVI/AYRP activity is that it makes things easy when it comes to report to CENFACS and others before the deadline of 23 December 2026.

 

• • Journaling Goal of TVI/AYRP

 

The goal is basically to explore and enrich one’s TVI/AYRP activity through creative writing.  This goal does not stop users of TVI/AYRP to have their own journaling goal.  Besides their journaling goal, they need to add what their journal can help achieve.

 

• • What One’s TVI/AYRP Journal Can Achieve

 

It can achieve many things including the following:

 

∝ Solve problems encountered in the lifecycle of your AYRP and the integration of TVIs into this lifecycle 

∝ Enhance one’s health and wellness via TVI/AYRP journaling activity

∝ Improve TVI/AYRP impact and outcomes.

 

For those who are undertaking any of the TVIs/AYRPs and would like to write a double-entry journal about their activity, they can do it.  There are many online and print resources available on the matter.  Please select resources that are concise and have some links with your TVIs/AYRPs.

To sum up, writing a double journal or double-entry journal for AYRPs involves managing two distinct yet interconnected records – a Daily Log (short-term actions) and a Project Log (long-term, strategic value) – to track progress while integrating TVIs (People, Planet, Prosperity).  This method allows short-term tactical actions to inform long-term strategic goals and vice versa.

For those who would like to approach CENFACS for help and support to write a Double-entry Journal of AYRPs showing the integration of TVIs into AYRPs or to select appropriate resources, they are welcome to do so.

 

 

Message in French (Message en français)

 

• Programme Climatique 2026

Notre programme climatique se compose des initiatives résumés ci-dessous.

• • Projet de Lutte contre la Désinformation (PLD)

Le PLD vise à renforcer la résilience de notre communauté face à la désinformation grâce à la transparence, la recherche et la sensibilisation du public. Il s’agit d’apprendre à nos membres à évaluer de manière critique les informations sur le changement climatique, à repérer les fausses informations et à comprendre les techniques de manipulation. Il s’agit également de renforcer la confiance dans la réduction de la pauvreté climatique.

Pour ce faire, nous collaborerons avec d’autres organisations œuvrant sur des problématiques similaires liées à la désinformation climatique, vérifierons les faits, mènerons des recherches, détecterons et dénoncerons les fausses informations, analyserons les menaces que représente la désinformation et améliorerons la culture médiatique au sein de la communauté.

• • Feuille de Route pour la Mobilisation des Financements (FRMF)

La FRMF est un plan stratégique qui définit les étapes, les politiques et les instruments financiers nécessaires pour mobiliser et déployer des capitaux provenant de diverses sources (publiques, privées, bénévoles et institutionnelles) afin d’atteindre des objectifs précis, tels que la mobilisation de fonds pour la lutte contre le changement climatique.

La FRMF vise à faciliter la transition entre la planification et la mise en œuvre en identifiant les obstacles, en réduisant les risques liés aux projets et en créant des opportunités d’investissement viables pour attirer des financements suffisants, notamment dans un contexte de réduction de l’aide internationale.

• • Projet de Réduction de la Précarité Énergétique à Long Terme (PRPELT)

Dans la littérature énergétique, la précarité énergétique à long terme désigne une situation où un ménage ne peut ni se permettre ni accéder aux services énergétiques essentiels (chauffage, climatisation, éclairage, appareils électroménagers, etc.), ce qui le contraint à réduire sa consommation à des niveaux préjudiciables à sa santé, son bien-être et ses conditions de vie de base. Cette situation est souvent due à de faibles revenus, au prix élevé de l’énergie et à des logements mal isolés, créant ainsi un cercle vicieux de privation et de vulnérabilité, particulièrement au sein des populations vulnérables.

Le PRPELT vise à fournir des conseils énergétiques aux ménages de la communauté CENFACS afin de les informer sur les mesures peu coûteuses permettant de réduire leur consommation d’énergie et d’éviter que la précarité énergétique ne devienne intergénérationnelle. Le PRPELT aidera les ménages à faibles revenus suivants :

~ En situation de précarité énergétique persistante (c’est-à-dire ceux ou celles qui ne parviennent pas à satisfaire leurs besoins énergétiques de base de manière chronique et prolongée)

~ Souffrant de problèmes de chauffage insuffisants et de graves problèmes de santé liés à la précarité énergétique

~ Confrontés à des coûts énergétiques élevés et vivant dans des logements insalubres

~ Consacrant une part importante de leurs revenus à l’énergie ou accumulant des factures impayées, ce qui affecte leur stabilité financière globale

etc.

En résumé, PRPELT vise à faciliter l’accès à l’énergie moderne, à abandonner progressivement la biomasse pour la cuisson, à lutter contre la pollution de l’air intérieur et à améliorer la santé, notamment en Afrique, mais pas exclusivement.

• • Projet de Développement des Compétences Zéro Déchet (PDCZD)

Le PDCZD vise à enseigner des compétences pratiques (comme la réparation, le compostage, le surcyclage et la cuisine à base de restes) et à promouvoir une approche de réduction des déchets (réduire, réutiliser, recycler) afin de permettre à la communauté de minimiser les déchets mis en décharge, de favoriser des habitudes durables et de créer une économie circulaire.

Le PDCZD comprend des formations, des ateliers, la mobilisation communautaire et la création de modèles alternatifs de gestion des déchets.

En définitive, le PDCZD a pour objectif de transformer la gestion des déchets, d’un problème d’élimination à une source de ressources.

Pour toute question ou demande d’information concernant ce programme et les projets qui y participent, veuillez contacter le CENFACS.

 

 

Main Development

 

• Coming on 27/04/2026: The 16th Edition of CENFACS Reflection Day with a Focus on Protection of Women and Children in AI Risk Management within Internal Displacement Settings

 

To help prepare for the 16th Edition of CENFACS Reflection Day, we have assembled protection materials and resources that have been grouped into the following six headlines:

 

∝ What is AI Risk Management?

∝ What are Internally Displaced Persons?

∝ What is Protection?

∝ What is CENFACS’ Reflection Day?

∝ The Link between AI Risk Management and IDPs

∝ The 16^th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day.

 

Let us briefly explain each of these headlines.

 

• • What Is AI Risk Management?

 

To explain AI risk management, we can refer to what ‘ibm.com’ (6) argues about it, which is

“AI risk management is the process of systematically identifying, mitigating, and addressing the potential risk associated with AI technologies.  It involves a combination of tools, practices and principles with a particular emphasis on deploying formal AI risk management frameworks”.

The same ‘ibm.com’ adds that

“The goal of AI risk management is to minimize AI’s potential negative impacts while maximizing its benefits… These risks of AI generally fall into four buckets: data risks, model risks, operational risks, and ethical and legal risks”.

In terms of the 16^th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day, we shall think of how a potential AI-related threat is likely to affect protection and security for internally displaced women and children, how much damage that threat can do to them, and what could be priorities for protection and AI risk management.

 

• • What Are Internally Displaced Persons?

 

Citing the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, ‘ohchr.org’ (7) states that

“Internally displaced persons (also known as “IDPs”) are “persons or groups of persons who have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual residence, in particular as a result of or in order to avoid the effects of armed conflict, situations of generalized violence, violations of human rights or natural or human-made disasters, and who have not crossed an internationally recognized border.”

The website ‘ohchr.org’ also argues that

“The overwhelming majority of internally displaced persons are women and children who are especially at risk of abuse of their basic rights.”

The 16^th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day will reflect on the conditions of internally displaced women and children, their specific needs, and ways of addressing the AI risks they face and the negative consequences of their displacement.

 

• • What Is Protection?

 

Protection can be defined in many ways.  In the context of CENFACS’ Reflection Day, we have selected the definition provided by International Organisation for Migration (8), which is:

“Protection is about advocating, supporting or undertaking activities that aim to obtain full respect of, protect and fulfil the rights of all individuals in accordance with the letter and spirit of relevant bodies of law (i.e., international human rights law, international humanitarian law and international refugee law)”.

In the case of our Reflection Day, we will be dealing with protection in displacement settings and protection in emergencies, although the emphasis is on displacement.

 

• • What Is CENFACS’ Reflection Day?

 

CENFACS’ Reflection Day is a day to acknowledge the conditions of women and children in need, to reflect on attitudes and what can be done to improve the living conditions of these women and children in need.

CENFACS’ Reflection Day is also a special eventful day to re-engage our mind set and spirit to deeply think about the fate of poor women and children and engineer possible new solutions that can lift them out of poverty and hardships they are facing.

At this time of the world in multiple crises (or polycrises) and risks, they may be facing poverty induced by these crises and risks.  Among these crises is Internal Displacement.  Amongst these risks is AI Risk Management since AI does not only bring opportunities. There are threats attached to it.  It is this AI Risk Management and this Internal Displacement crisis that our 16^th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day would like to deal with.

A Reflection Day on AI Risk Management is a dedicated, structured, and strategic session designed to help women and children understand the opportunities and threats posed by AI, ensuring that its adoption is ethical, safe, and aligned with women and children protection values.

A Reflection Day on Internally Displaced Women and Children is a structured event designed to pause, honor, and critically examine the experiences of people (here women and children) forced to flee their homes due to conflict, crisis, or climate, while remaining within their own country.

The 16th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day on 27/04/2026 will combine both aspects as a Reflection Day on the Protection of Women and Children in AI Risk Management within Internal Displacement Settings.  This is because there is a link between AI risk management and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

 

• • The Link between AI Risk Management and IDPs

 

This link lies in using technology to predict and mitigate displacement crisis while managing the severe ethical and safety risks AI poses to these vulnerable populations.  As AI is increasingly used to manage humanitarian aid, effective risk management must protect IDPs from privacy violations, algorithmic bias, and digital surveillance, while leveraging AI for security and resource allocation.

The analysis of this link can provide various insights. Among these insights, it is worth mentioning the use of AI to manage risks for IDPs and managing risks of AI usage towards IDPs.  These insights can be explained as follows.

 

a) Using AI to manage risks for IDPs

AI risk management frameworks help humanitarian actors shift from reactive aid to proactive, predictive action.  They include predicting displacement, predicting resource needs, targeted humanitarian aid, and psychological support.

 

b) Managing risks of AI usage towards IDPs

The deployment of AI in refugee settings can introduce new dangers, requiring robust risk management.  Managing risks involve algorithmic bias and discrimination, data privacy and security, technology-facilitated abuse, and lack of accountability.

 

Summarily speaking, AI risk management for IDPs involves navigating the ‘dual-use’ nature of AI-utilizing it for proactive protection while strictly controlling for harms that could exacerbate their already precarious situation.

 

• • The 16^th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day

 

The following points will assist in explaining the 16^th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day:

 

∝ What is the 16th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day? 

∝ What will happen during the 16th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day?

∝ How the 16^th Edition of our Reflection Day will be run

∝ Key Reflections and Protection Metrics.

 

The above-mentioned points are explained below.

 

• • • What is the 16th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day? 

 

The 16th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day is a focus on balancing the transformative potential of technology with the heightened vulnerabilities of displaced populations.  It involves recognizing that AI can either revolutionize humanitarian responses – such as improving aid distribution and locating missing persons – or amplify existing biases and risks of violence.

The 16th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day is a day of solidarity, allowing to raise awareness, engage the public, and assess the support services for internally displaced women and children who face high risks of violence, exploitation, and loss of education.  It is also a day of understanding AI risk landscape, data protection and ethics, developing an AI strategy and policy, trust and reputation management, and capacity building of women and children on AI.

 

• • • What will happen during the 16th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day?

 

During the 16th Edition of CENFACS’ Reflection Day, we will reflect on what can be done to improve the living conditions of women and children in the context of AI risk management and internal displacement.  This session, which can be run in person or online, acts as a check-up to move beyond the hype and address the practicalities of AI governance and security.

 

• • • How the 16^th Edition of our Reflection Day will be run

 

Like in the last four years, the 16th Edition of our Reflection Day will be run in hybrid fashion (that; it will be organised  in-person and virtual).

There will be a physical gathering for those who want it.  There will also be a virtual reflection.  In the case of virtual reflection, every participant will be reflecting from the location which is suitable for them (that is, like a virtual reality or remotely).

 

 

• • • Key Reflections and Protection Metrics

 

The 16th Edition of our Reflection Day includes 8 key reflection points or areas of thought and 9 protection metrics.

The 8 key reflections include:

 

1) Data exploitation and privacy risks 2) AI-enabled gender-based violence 3) Algorithmic bias and discrimination 4) Misleading information and protection threats 5) Exploitation of children 6) Loss of human agency 7) Data vulnerability 8) The ‘double-edged sword’ of AI.

 

The 9 selected protection metrics are:

 

1) Data minimization ratios 2) Biometric data security incidents 3) Consent comprehension rates 4) Safety/exploitation risk flags 5) Incidents of technology-facilitated gender-based violence 6) Targeting risk score 7) Access to services index 8) Separated children identification time 9) Fairness indices in aid allocation. 

 

Let us highlight these key reflections and metrics.

 

8 Key Reflections

 

1) Data Exploitation and Privacy Risks

In IDP settings, data is exceptionally sensitive.  Data leaks or inappropriate sharing of personal or biometrics data can lead to tracking, harassment, or targeting of women and children by perpetrators, including separation of families.

 

2) AI-enabled Gender-based Violence

AI facilitates technology-facilitated gender-based violence, including deepfake pornography, automated harassment, sextortion, and tracking, which disproportionally affects women and children.

 

3) Algorithmic Bias and Discrimination

AI systems trained on skewed data can reinforce existing biases, causing discriminatory access to services or inaccurate risk assessments for displaced individuals.

 

4) Misleading Information and Protection Threats

In IDP camps, misinformation can spread quickly via AI, endangering the safety of women and children.  AI-generated fake information can misguide survivors about available services.

 

5) Exploitation of Children

AI can be used to identify child-headed households or vulnerable children in databases, increasing risks of trafficking or recruitment.

 

6) Loss of Human Agency

Over-reliance on AI for decision-making can lead to dehumanizing outcomes, as seen in cases where automated systems, such as in welfare services, mistakenly exclude vulnerable individuals, including the displaced.

 

7) Data Vulnerability

Internally displaced women and children often lose their documentation, making them reliant on digital systems.  Misuse of this data can lead to surveillance, identity theft, or tracking by perpetrators of conflict.

 

8) The ‘Double-edged Sword’ of AI

AI can help detect threats or manage complex data for protection.  However, AI risks creating a technocratic approach that ignores the specific, messy reality of human suffering in conflict zones.

 

The above potential areas for reflection indicate that the protection of women and children in the AI-driven humanitarian landscape requires treating technologies as a tool that must be guided by human rights, ensuring that it enhances, rather than diminishes, their safety and dignity.  This is what our Reflection Day will be about.

 

9 Protection Metrics

 

1) Data Minimization Ratios

This ratio is expressed as the proportion of personal data collected versus strictly necessary data for humanitarian assistance to minimize risk of leaks or misuse.

 

2) Biometric Data Security Incidents

These incidents are interpretated as the frequency of unauthorized access, misuse, or biometric identification failures (facial/voice recognition) in camp environments.

 

3) Consent Comprehension Rates

They equal the percentage of women and children who understand how their data is used by AI, particularly important for displaced populations with varying literacy levels.

 

4) Safety/Exploitation Risk Flags

They are automated monitoring of digital platforms for signs of human trafficking, forced marriage, or child sexual abuse material.

 

5) Incidents of Technology-facilitated Gender-based Violence

They track occurrences of online harassments, identity theft or deepfakes targeting displaced women.

 

6) Targeting Risk Score

It monitors if AI systems improperly share, store, or map data about vulnerable households, making them targets of exploitation.

 

7) Access to Services Index

It measures if AI-driven assistance, such as chatbots or digital-identity verification, is equally accessible to women and children, reducing the digital divide.

 

8) Separated Children Identification Time

It provides information on the speed and accuracy of AI-driven systems in identifying and reuniting unaccompanied or separated children.

 

9) Fairness Indices in Aid Allocation

They measure if AI algorithms for aid distribution are free from discrimination based on gender, age, or location.

 

The above-named metrics are specialized indicators designed to measure vulnerability, safety, and rights protection, ensuring AI systems (e.g., predictive analytics, and distribution, biometric screening) do not exacerbate existing harms or create new ones.

The above is the main menu of our Reflection Day.  Those who will be reflecting on that day, they can refer to the above-mentioned reflections and metrics to prepare themselves.

Besides this main menu, we shall have a side menu which is Reflection on the Effects of 16th Edition of our Reflection Day on our System and Network for Protection and Community Security.

To support or join the Reflection Day on the Protection and Security of Women and Children, please contact CENFACS.

After the References section of this post, we have appended a timeline about CENFACS’ Reflection Day for your information.

_________

• References

 

(1) https://social.desa.un.org (accessed in April 2026)

(2) https://www.business-standard.com/about/what-is-financial-inclusion (accessed in April 2026)

(3) https://www.savingssavey.com/financial-education/what-is-financial-education-and/why-is-it-important/ (accessed in April 2026)

(4) https://www.financialeducatorscouncil.org/what-is-financial-education/(accessed in April 2026)

(5) https://fox-plan.com/docs/project-review/ (Accessed in April 2023)

(6) https://www.ibm.com/think/insights/ai-risk-management (accessed in April 2026)

(7) https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-internally-displaced-persons/about-internally-displaced-persons (accessed in April 2026)

(8) https://www.iom.int/protection-displacement-settings (accessed in April 2026)

 

_________

 

• Appendix

 

• • Reflection Day Timeline

 

The Reflection Day is a day of thoughts by bringing together the two pillars of our network and protection programme, which are 3W and PPS.  Although they started in 2003, we only introduced a Reflection Day (RD) in them in 2011.

In 2016, we amalgamated 3W and PPS to become Women and Children projects as we noticed in some situations it was difficult to separate women’s and children’s needs.  Where their needs are separable or differentiated one to the other, we run either of the two brands (that is, 3W and PPS) individually.  This is why these two brands of our network and protection are still alive despite their amalgamation.

The Reflection Day is a day of introspection to think in depth the ways forward for our systems of support network and protection for poverty relief and sustainable development in face of the current, new and emerging challenges ahead as well as the ever-changing development landscape.

Since its inception, the following is the timeline of 3W and PPS

 

2011: Making Networking and Protection Even Better in 2011

2012: Raising Standards in Poverty Reduction for Improving Lives

2013: Place of Women and Children in the Post-2015 Development World (Part I)

2014: Women and Children in the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda (Part II) – A Stock Taking Reflection Event

2015: Doing Business to Lift Women and Children out of Poverty

2016: Improving Digital Protection for the Extremely Digitally Poor Women and Children

2017: Reducing Information and Communication Poverty for Multi-dimensionally Poor Women and Children

2018: Making Transitional Economy Work for Poor Families

2019: Protection of Women and Children in War-torn Zones and Natural Disaster-stricken Areas

2020: Protection of Women and Children in Times of Health or Sanitary Crisis like Covid-19

2021: Ring-fencing Protection for Women and Children to Become More Resilient and Vigilant in face of Future Risks and Crises

2022: Protection for Women and Children from Energy Crisis

2023: Protection and Security for Women and Children against Geo-economic Risks and Crises

2024: Protection and Security of Women and Children against Societal Polarization

2025: Protection and Security of Women and Children against Extreme Weather Events

 

For your information,

3W & PPS = Support Network and Protection for Poverty Relief and Sustainable Development

Women and Children projects = amalgamation of 3W and PPS in 2016

3W (What Women Want) = a CENFACS support network scheme to enhance quality of life and living standards of multi-dimensional deprived women and families

PPS (Peace, Protection & Sustainability) = a CENFACS child and environmental protection programme to support multi-dimensional vulnerable children, young people and families

KNA (Keep the Net Alive) = a motto that helps to keep our networking for protection running.

 

For more information on 3W and PPS or Women and Children projects, please contact CENFACS.

_________

 

• Help CENFACS Keep the Poverty Relief Work Going This Year

 

We do our work on a very small budget and on a voluntary basis.  Making a donation will show us you value our work and support CENFACS’ work, which is currently offered as a free service.

One could also consider a recurring donation to CENFACS in the future.

Additionally, we would like to inform you that planned gifting is always an option for giving at CENFACS.  Likewise, CENFACS accepts matching gifts from companies running a gift-matching programme.

Donate to support CENFACS!

FOR ONLY £1, YOU CAN SUPPORT CENFACS AND CENFACS’ NOBLE AND BEAUTIFUL CAUSES OF POVERTY REDUCTION.

JUST GO TO: Support Causes – (cenfacs.org.uk)

Thank you for visiting CENFACS website and reading this post.

Thank you as well to those who made or make comments about our weekly posts.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits and continuing support until the end of 2026 and beyond.

With many thanks.

Welcome to CENFACS’ Online Diary!

08 April 2026

Post No. 451

 

 

The Week’s Contents

 

• ICDP (Individual Capacity Development Programme) Resource, Holiday with Relief – Featured in the Spring 2026 Issue: Holiday with Alternative Activities

• Protection Phase/Keynote 2 – From Wednesday 08/04/2026: Planning and Skill Development

• Household- and Area-focused Programmes for Assets and Economy Building for Families – In Focus from 08/04/2026: Asset-based Community Development

 

… And much more!

 

 

Key Messages

 

• ICDP (Individual Capacity Development Programme) Resource, Holiday with Relief – Featured in the Spring 2026 Issue: Holidays with Alternative Activities

How to make the most of your vacation to strengthen bonds, learn new skills, and create unforgettable memories

 

The current Issue of our ICDP Resource entitled as ‘Holiday with Relief’ focuses on Holidays Offering Alternative Activities.  The Issue echoes the year’s dedication within CENFACS of 2026 as a Year of Alternatives, reflecting CENFACS’ commitment to alternatives for 2026. It is particularly timely, coinciding with CENFACS’ Spring 2026 campaign, a period of rebuilding and renewing lives, infrastructures, and institutions. Active holidays can contribute to this rebuilding and renewal.

To better understand this topic, let us define what “Holidays with Alternative Activities” means. These are family holidays offering unique experiences and activities beyond traditional beaches or amusement parks.  Such holidays can include adventure trips, educational experiences, and local excursions tailored to different interests and age groups. They offer families the opportunity to strengthen bonds, acquire new skills, and create unforgettable memories in a more enriching and educational way.

For instance, in the UK “the Holiday Activities and Food Programme” provides healthy meals, enriching activities, and free childcare places to children from low-income families, benefiting their health, well-being and learning” (1).

An activity-based holiday is indeed a trip focused on specific, organized activities—such as sports, adventure, or learning new skills—rather than simple relaxation. These holidays, like yoga retreats, sailing trips, or hiking excursions, offer a blend of wellness, adventure, and local cultural immersion, often providing a more active and immersive experience.

The Spring 2026 Issue of our ICDP guide is dedicated to these trips. It contains tools for planning and budgeting for vacations with alternative activities, as well as tips for organizing a trip focused on these activities. It also highlights organizations that offer this type of trip.

This Issue, which aims at people in need or low-income families and households, offers strategies for addressing poverty related to a lack of alternative vacation activities or the means to access and enjoy them. It also discusses the diversity of the activities mentioned and provides examples.

Key highlights or content summaries about the 2026 Issue of Holiday with Relief are given under the Main Development section of this post.

 

 

• Protection Phase/Keynote 2 – From Wednesday 08/04/2026: Planning and Skill Development

 

To cover this second keynote, let us clarify the meanings of planning and skill development, and apply them in the context of protection through alternative income sources.

 

• • Basic Understanding of Planning and Skill Development

 

The definition of planning retained here comes from ‘skillsbuilder.uk’ (2) which notes that

“Planning is the ability to set clear, tangible goals, and devise a robust route to achieve them”.

Planning can be associated with organisation skills.  The website ‘cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk’ (3) explains this association by stating that

“Planning and organisation skills focus on how you identify tasks, manage resources, and coordinate activities to successfully achieve your goals within deadlines”.

These two definitions take us to that of skills development.  According to ‘saviom.com’ (4),

“Skill development refers to a continuous process of acquiring, enhancing, or refining an individual’s wide range of skills, knowledge, and competencies for better performance and adaptability in the workplace”.

The website ‘saviom.com’ also states that firms can implement skill development in three ways, which are upskilling, cross-skilling, and re-skilling.

These notions of planning and skill development can be applied in the context of protection through alternative income sources and make up Phase 2 of these sources.

 

• • Phase 2: Planning and Skill Development

 

Phase 2 consists of cash-first approach, skill training and mentoring, diversification strategy, and action plan development.  Let us summarize each of these elements.

 

Phase 2.1: Cash-first Approach

This approach prioritizes providing support in the form of cash grants or initial capital rather than just in-kind goods, which gives families dignity, choice, and control.

 

Phase 2.2: Skill training and mentoring

It is about providing training that matches market demand and beneficiary capacity, including technical skills (e.g., livestock rearing, handicrafts) and business management (like literacy, numeracy, marketing, etc.).

 

Phase 2.3: Diversification strategy

It helps households create multiple income streams, such as combining home-based businesses with small-scale agricultural projects to minimize dependency on one source.

 

Phase 2.4: Action plan development

It involves developing tailored plans for each household with clear, short-term ‘quick wins’ to build trust and long-term milestones for independence.

 

These sub-phases can be used to work with the community to enhance the fences of protection through alternative income sources.

 

• • Ways of Working with Poor Households Making the CENFACS Community on Planning and Skill Development

 

There are households within our community that can handle the problems of their needs of alternative income protection by themselves.  There are others that need support or to work with somebody else in order to navigate their way to the solution about problems related to alternative income protection.  For the latter ones, CENFACS can work with them in order to find the level of protection they need to resolve their problem of alternative income protection.  Working with the latter can be on specific matters and/or general strategies.

 

• • • Working with poor households on specific matters

 

Working with them on planning and skill development in the context of protection via alternative income sources will be about adopting a people-centred and long-term approach that blends skills training, financial planning, and active participation in decision-making process.  Key aspects of this model of working together will include the following:

 

σ Collaborative planning and assessment: They involve co-production, livelihood mapping, and long-term strategy

σ Skill development and training: They include vocational and entrepreneurial training, soft skills enhancement, and peer-to-peer learning

σ Development of alternative income: It encompasses asset support, financial inclusion, and secure spaces

σ Sustainability and social protection: It requires building financial resilience, strengthening local networks, and social cohesion.

 

Besides the above-mentioned specific ways of working together, there are general strategies that can be included.

 

• • • Working with poor households on general strategies

 

These general strategies are things such as

 

√ Running workshops or one-on-one sessions on alternative income protection

√ Providing alternative income protection tips  

√ Discussing with them their alternative income protection strategies

√ Analysing their accounts using alternative income protection metrics and indicators

√ Advising them on issues linked to alternative income protection

√ Finding affordable and accessible protection services relating to their alternative income sources and plan

√ Recommending them to use free online support on alternative income protection services

√ Connecting them with free or low-cost assistance relating to alternative income protection

√ Guiding them on the kinds, types and levels of alternative income protection they may need

√ Making enquiries about alternative income protection on their behalf

√ Supporting them to make an application and apply online on matters relating to alternative income sources/protection

√ Signposting them to specialists in social safety nets and cash transfers 

√ Organising drop-in or one-on-one sessions about alternative income initiatives

√ Running small and targeted alternative income protection clinics for those in need

√ Providing a referral service on alternative protection matters for them

√ Advocating their alternative income protection cases to services and organisations where they could be eligible

√ Keeping them informed, guided and updated about any changes in legislations about alternative income protection

√ Translating and interpreting documents or materials relating to alternative income protection

√ Explaining them the importance of developing alternative income sources and project for their protection

√ Tracking progress and evaluating the effectiveness of working with poor households on alternative income protection to ensure they are making progress

Etc.

 

The above are just some of the ways that CENFACS could use to support the community regarding basic alternative income protection.

Those who need help and support about alternative income protection and/or for any of the matters listed above falling within our capacity, they can contact CENFACS.

Those who would like to enquiry about any other issues linked to alternative income protection that are not listed above, they can still check with CENFACS if there is any help.

Those who may have some questions about Planning and Skill Development under Protection through Alternative Income Sources and the Protection Month itself, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

 

 

• Household- and Area-focused Programmes for Assets and Economy Building for Families (H&AfP4A&EB4Hs) – In Focus from 08/04/2026: Asset-based Community Development

 

To approach the second Household Focused Programme, which is Asset Based Community Development, let us explain it and highlight ways of working with the community on it.

 

• • What Is Asset Based Community Development (ABCD)?

 

The website ‘commsatwork.org’ (5) states that ABCD was the work of John McKnight and Jody Kretzmann and is defined as

“A global philosophy and practice related to asset (strength) focused, place based and community driven initiatives”.

Within this literature, ABCD refers to a strategy that focuses on identifying and mobilizing the existing strengths and resources within a community to drive sustainable development and positive change.  Its key principles are focus on strengths, community engagement, collaboration, sustainability, and empowerment.

The same literature suggests that ABCD enables communities to harness their inherent strengths and resources.  It focuses on what communities have rather than what they lack.  It is about creating solutions that enhance their overall well-being and resilience.

Quoting Embrace’s Power Shift Training Series, ‘wendymccaig.com’ (6) provides four bedrock principles that are foundational to ABCD.  They are

1) Asset-based Lenses 2) Bond-building Relationships 3) Community-driven Action 4) Development Impact.

 

From these definitions and perspectives about ABCD, how can we work together within CENFACS Community to be an ABCD?

 

• • Working within the CENFACS Community as an ABCD

 

As an ABCD, we can

 

σ build on our assets, not deficits

σ strengthen our relationships and care each other members of the CENFACS Community (also known as Community Value Chains)

σ use our own collective power assets to achieve self-defined goals and shape our own destiny

etc.

 

Those who may be interested in working with us on ABCD, they can contact CENFACS.

Those who may have any queries and/or enquiries about ABCD or H&AfP4A&EB4Hs, they should not hesitate to communicate with CENFACS.

 

 

Extra Messages

 

• All-Year-Round Projects Lifecycle – Step/Workshop 8: Monitoring and Observability of Your Play, Run and Vote Projects; and Integrating Triple Value Initiatives into Your All-Year-Round Projects Monitoring and Observability

• Shop at CENFACS’ Zero Waste e-Store during This Spring Giving Season

• Making Zero Hunger Africa Campaign with a Focus on Sustainable Food Alternatives to Reduce Food Poverty in Africa

 

 

• All-Year-Round Projects Lifecycle – Step/Workshop 8: Monitoring and Observability of Your Play, Run and Vote Projects; and Integrating Triple Value Initiatives into Your All-Year-Round Projects Monitoring and Observability

 

To count what is happening and happened to your Play, Run and Vote Projects, you need to monitor and track them.  Monitors or trackers will help you to do that.  Likewise, observing your Play, Run and Vote Projects will assist in knowing what happened.   These monitoring and observability processes need to incorporate Triple Value Initiatives (TVIs) for their success.  So, at this step, we shall have two sub-steps, which are

 

a) Monitoring and Observability of Your Play, Run and Vote Projects

b) Integrating Triple Value Initiatives (TVIs) into Your Play, Run and Vote Projects Monitoring and Observability.

 

Let us cover these sub-steps.

 

• • Monitoring and Observability of Your Play, Run and Vote Projects (8.1)

 

Before giving an example of monitoring and observability of your Play, Run and Vote Projects, let us first explain both monitoring and observability.

 

• • • What is monitoring your Play, Run and Vote Projects about?

 

It is the step during which you regularly observe and record the activities of your Play, Run and Vote Projects.  As part of this process, you will routinely and regularly collect information about the outcome of all aspects of your Play, Run and Vote Projects as the theory of monitoring suggests. 

The monitoring exercise will help you check your progress against your project plans.  You can plan specific dates for your project progression monitoring.  If your Play, Run and Vote Projects involve other participants; then you can ask them to tell you what they think about the projects.

Because we are talking about Monitoring of All-Year-Round Projects (AYRPs), we need to explain what it is.

 

• • • What is monitoring your AYRPs?

 

Literature on this matter suggests that an all-year-round project monitoring (often referred to as continuous project monitoring) is the ongoing, systematic process of tracking a project’s progress, performance, and health throughout its entire lifecycle – from initiation to closure.  Rather than conducting sporadic checks, it acts as a consistent “early warning system” that compares actual progress against the planned budget, timeline, and scope, allowing managers to address risks before they become major issues.

Key components of continuous monitoring include performance tracking, risk mitigation, budget and cost control, schedule and milestones tracking, and quality assurance.

In short, AYRP monitoring ensures that problems do not accumulate silently, transforming a well-planned project into a successful one by enabling agility.

 

• • • What is observability of your Play, Run and Vote Projects about?

 

According to ‘ibm.com'(7),

“Observability is the ability to understand a complex system’s internal state based on external outputs.  When a system is observable, a user can identify the root cause of a performance problem by looking at the data it produces without additional testing or coding”.

So, observability will inform what is happening, while monitoring will tell you when something is wrong in your Play, Run and Vote Projects.

Because we are dealing with AYRPs, we need to explain an all-year-run observability.

 

• • • What is an AYRP observability?

 

Theories in the field of software observability indicate that an AYRP observability refers to the continuous, 24/7, and automated tracking of software project’s internal state, performance, and health throughout its entire lifecycle.  Unlike traditional monitoring, which is often reactive and periodic, AYRP pbservability implies a proactive, ongoing approach that uses telemetry data – logs, metrics, and traces – to understand system behaviour at any time, in real-time, regardless of whether a failure has already occured.

There are key components of all-year-round observability which include continuous instrumentation, MELT (Metrics, Events, Logs and Traces) data collection, real-time analysis and AI ops, long-term data retention and strategy.

As explained earlier, there is a difference between monitoring and observability.  Monitoring, which is a verb or action and reactive, is about if the system is up.  On the contrary, observability – which is an attribute or state and proactive/explanatory/continuous – tries to explain why the system is behaving in a certain way.

 

 

• • Example of Monitoring Your All-year Round Projects

 

Let say you want to monitor your Run to Reduce Poverty in Africa.  To monitor it, you will need…

 

~ to cover all the activities making your Run

~ to find out what all the participants think about your project

~ to know who take part in the run, their number and the frequency of their participation

~ to find the met and unmet needs

~ to identify the problems you encounter in the process of running your project

~ to figure out the resources needed for the project and the costs of running it

etc.

 

• • Example of Observability of Your All-year Round Projects

 

You can observe your Run to Reduce Poverty in Africa.  Through its observability, you can

 

~ understand running issues

~ analyse the output data about your Run

~ detect the issues early and explore ways of resolving them

~ propose actionable insights to fix these issues

etc.

 

 

• • Recording Your All-year Round Projects

 

You need as well to keep all the records about the project and ask for the comments from anyone who gets involved with your Run Project.

You can do it on an outcome-monitoring sheet for effectiveness in the way you are collecting and keeping record.  An outcome-monitoring sheet can include any skills, any improvement in motivation and aspirations, any boost in confidence and self-esteem, etc. that you or your participants have gained or increased as a result of your project.

You need to record changes and effects as they happen.  You can keep notes of any success and failure about your project, the numbers of people involved in it and the numbers of those who benefited.

Please remember to make sure that the records you are keeping and the notes you are taking will help you to decide who is your Runner of Poverty Reduction in Africa 2026.

For those who would like to dive deeper into Monitoring and Observability of their Play or Run or Vote project, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS.

Because sustainability must be part of daily project activities, monitoring and observability processes will not be enough unless you incorporate TVIs in them.

 

• • Integrating Triple Value Initiatives into Your All-Year-Round Projects Monitoring and Observability (8.2)

 

Let us first explain this integration separately and then jointly.

 

• • • Integrating Triple Value Initiatives into Your All-Year-Round Projects Monitoring

 

Integrating TVIs (economic, social and environmental – often called People, Planet, Prosperity) into all-year-round project monitoring requires shifting from one-time impact assessments to continuous tracking.  This involves setting up a framework that combines data-driven metrics with qualitative, human stories, embedded within regular project performance reviews.

Guidance on this matter suggests following the steps:

 

a) Establish a Triple Value Framework from the Outset

b) Embed Monitoring into Project Cycles (Year-round)

c) Collect Data and Engage with Stakeholders

d) Include Accountability and Reporting.

 

• • • Integrating Triple Value Initiatives into Your All-Year-Round Projects Observability

 

Integrating TVIs – environmental sustainability (Planet), social responsibility (People), and economic viability (Prosperity) – into all-year-round project observability requires moving beyond traditional metrics to a holistic approach.  This ensures sustainability initiatives are continuously monitored, measurable, and integrated into core project reporting rather than handled as isolated annual tasks.

To proceed with this integration, one can follow these steps:

 

a) Establish a Triple Value Metric Framework

b) Implement Continuous Data Collection (Metrics, Events, Logs and Traces)

c) Build Real-time Dashboards and Alerting

d) Foster a Culture of Continuous Improvement

e) Use Appropriate Tools and Techniques.

 

• • • Integrating Triple Value Initiatives into Your All-Year-Round Projects Monitoring and Observability

 

It involves embedding sustainability metrics into existing project management tools, using real-time data, and aligning with organizational ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) goals throughout AYRP lifecycle.

The guidance on integrating TVIs into AYRP monitoring and observability suggests following these steps:

 

a) Establish Triple Value Key Performance Indicators at Project Inception

b) Implement Continuous Monitoring

c) Transition from Monitoring to Observability

d) Integrate into Existing Workflows and Governance

e) Use Accountability and Reporting.

 

In the end, it is all about projects lifecycle management which integrates the P5 standards (that is, Product, Process, Progress, People, Planet) into AYRP’s Project Management Information System.

 

• • Working with AYRP Users on Triple Value Initiatives Integration

 

CENFACS can work with AYRP users to integrate these initiatives into their project tools and lifecycle thinking processes.  This will stop these TVIs being ‘add-on’ and enable them become part of the implementation of their AYRP success.

For those who are not familiar with project monitoring and observability as well as the integration of Triple Value Model into their AYR project, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS if they need support.

They can contact CENFACS by

 

phoning, texting, e-mailing and completing the contact form on this website.

 

We can together discuss in detail your/their proposals about either your/their Run or Play or Vote projects, as well as the integration of TVIs into these projects.

For any queries and/or enquiries about All-Year-Round Projects Lifecycle, Monitoring and Observability as well as about the Integration of Triple Value Initiatives into Projects, please contact CENFACS.

 

 

• Shop at CENFACS’ Zero Waste e-Store during This Spring Giving Season

 

CENFACS e-Store is opened for your Spring goods donations and goods purchases.

At this time, many household expenditures have been squeezed by the cost of living pressures mostly driven by the hikes in prices of basic life-sustaining needs (e.g., food, transport, housing, council tax, energy, etc.).

The impacted of the cost-of-living pressures need help and support as prices and bills are still higher while real disposable incomes are less for many of those living in poverty.

Every season or every month is an opportunity to do something against poverty and hardships.  This April too is a good and great month of the year to do it.

You can donate or recycle your unwanted and unneeded goods to CENFACS’ Charity e-Store, the zero waste shop built to help relieve poverty and hardships.

You can as well buy second hand goods and bargain priced new items and much more.

CENFACS’ Charity e-Store needs your support for SHOPPING and GOODS DONATIONS.

You can do something different this Season of Goods Donations by SHOPPING or DONATING GOODS at CENFACS Charity e-Store.

You can DONATE or SHOP or do both:

 

√ DONATE unwanted Easter GOODS, GIFTS and PRODUCTS to CENFACS Zero Waste e-Store this April and Spring.

√ SHOP at CENFACS Zero Waste e-Store to support noble and beautiful causes of poverty relief this April and Spring.

 

Your SHOPPING and or GOODS DONATIONS will help to the Upkeep of the Nature and to reduce poverty and hardships brought by the cost of living pressures.

This is what the Season of Giving is all about.

Please do not hesitate to donate goods or purchase what is available at CENFACS Zero Waste e-Store.

Many lives have been threatened and destroyed by the cost of living pressures. 

We need help to help them come out poverty and hardships caused by these pressures.

To donate or purchase goods, please go to: http://cenfacs.org.uk/shop/

 

 

• Making Zero Hunger Africa Campaign with a Focus on Sustainable Food Alternatives to Reduce Food Poverty in Africa

 

Last year, the focus of Making Zero Hunger Africa Campaign (MZHAC) was Food Price Restoration to Reduce Food Poverty in Africa.  We worked on strategies for food price restoration.  Amongst these strategies, we can mention three of them: strengthening food prices, addressing economic factors and dealing with climate change.

This year, our MZHAC is still on food, but on Sustainable Food Alternatives to Reduce Food Poverty in Africa.  The theme of Sustainable Food Alternatives echoes CENFACS‘ dedication of Year 2026 as of Alternatives. 

However, before looking at this year’s focus, let us remind our readers the aim of Making Zero Hunger Africa Campaign.

 

• • Aim of Making Zero Hunger Africa Campaign

 

The aim of MZHAC is to raise awareness on sustainable food consumption and production in order to end hunger and malnutrition amongst those who are food deprived, particularly in Africa where the number of hungry people and families is still on the rise.  It is as well a campaigning response to the challenge of rise in hunger that Africa will face in the foreseeable future.  In this respect, the cost-of-living crisis has only made the matter worse as it has put a heavy toll on the consumption poor.

The contents of MZHAC are: End Hunger and Malnutrition Goal, Support Small-Scale Food Producers in Africa, Actions to Support the Food Industry in Africa, Meeting Vulnerable People’s Nutritional Needs, Actions for Sustainable Food Production Systems, etc. 

This year, we are focusing on Sustainable Food Alternatives to Reduce Food Poverty in Africa.

 

• • Sustainable Food Alternatives to Reduce Food Poverty in Africa

 

As part of MZHAC and the Year of Alternatives within CENFACS, we are working on Sustainable Food Alternatives.   In other words, we are focusing on Sustainable Food Sources.

 

• • • What are Sustainable Food Sources?

 

Sustainable Food Sources are food sources that…

 

√ ensure a healthier, more equitable, and environmentally responsible future

√ protect ecosystems

√ reduce greenhouse gas emissions

√ prioritize soil and water health

√ combat climate change

√ and preserve biodiversity.

 

Sustainable Food Sources help safeguard the environment, promote food security, enhance public health, foster economic resilience, and advance social equity.

We are particularly considering plant-based alternatives (e.g., agricultural crops such as soy, palm oil and almonds, lentils, chickpeas, peas, etc.) to animal-based foods.  We are looking at a new generation of plant-based alternatives as explained by ‘wwf.org.uk’ (8).

For instance, Bry-Chevalier (9) studies sustainable food system transitions by comparing meat alternatives for a sustainable food.  From Bry-Chevalier’s study, there are four alternatives protein sources (plant-based meats, cultivated meat, insects, and single-cell proteins) to contribute to a sustainable food system.  The study assessed each option across four dimensions: environmental impact, production scalability, consumer acceptability, and animal welfare.  The findings from this research suggests prioritizing plant-based meats in policy and strategies.

We are as well dealing with these alternatives in the context of food poverty reduction. 

 

• • • What is food poverty?

 

The website ‘sustainweb.org’ (10) explains that there is no agreed definition of food poverty.  The website ‘sustainweb.org’ quotes the following definitions of food poverty from different organisations:

” The inability to afford or to have access to food to make up a healthy diet (The Department of Health)

Food poverty is worse diet, worse access, worse health, higher percentage of income on food and less choice from a restricted range of foods (Professor Tim Lang)

The inability to consume an adequate quality or sufficient quantity of food in socially acceptable ways or the uncertainty that one will be able to do so (Professor Elizabeth Dowler)”.

 

• • Actions on Sustainable Food Alternatives to Reduce Food Poverty in Africa in the Context of MZHAC

 

In MZHAC, we are trying to organise a series of actions to gain support for sustainable food alternatives/sources to help reduce food poverty in Africa.  We are as well taking action so that food poverty can be sensibly reduced in Africa.

Make Zero Hunger Africa could further be undertaken by investing in projects that set food prices to make food accessible, available, affordable and utilisable for the food insecure as well as helping to reduce food poverty.

For those who would like to support MZHAC and Sustainable Food Alternatives to Reduce Food Poverty in Africa, they can contact CENFACS.

 

 

Message in English-French (Message en Anglais-Français)

 

• CENFACS’ be.Africa Forum E-discusses False Positives of Poverty Reduction in Africa

To kick off this e-discussion, it is better to explain false positives of poverty reduction. 

The literature review on false positives suggests that false positives of poverty reduction refer to situations where data or policies incorrectly indicate that people have moved out of poverty, or when non-poor individuals are wrongly included in poverty reduction programmes (inclusion errors).  These misses in targeting and reporting create an illusion of progress often hiding the reality of persistent deprivations.

These misses can also be found in African context.  False positives of poverty reduction in Africa would be scenarios where conventional economic data suggests a decline in poverty but in reality, living conditions have not improved or improvements are fragile and temporary.

There are uncountable situations of false positives that can be found in Africa as economics studies on Africa reveal.  Amongst these false positives identified in Africa, it worth mentioning the following ones:

σ Economic growth that is not pro-poor (e.g., a strong GDP that does not translate into poverty reduction)

σ Neglect of high inequality (e.g., when the poor see little improvement in their living conditions)

σ Vulnerability to shocks (like droughts, floods, health crises and economic downturns for households not having sustainable livelihoods)

σ Failure to account for debt (e.g., households with temporary income boost but acquired at the cost of high-interest debt).

σ Manipulation of poverty lines (by adjusting the international poverty line to lower levels can create a chemical reduction in poverty numbers)

σ Unreliable data and measurement bias (reliance on misleading national consumer price indexes for poverty estimates)

σ Unsubstantial job growth (misleading employment figures covering jobs that do not meet needs)

Etc.

All these situations can create the impression that poverty has been reduced or disappeared while in reality there has not been any change.  In depth studies show that over-reliance on GDP growth rates as a direct proxy for poverty reduction is a well-known false positive in any African development discussions.  In fact, when there is eruption of crises (like now with the global energy crisis), the extent and magnitude of these false positives appear.  Theory postulates that false positives happen when metrics of poverty show a decline, but the experience of poverty persists.

These false positives are what we are trying to discuss this week.  We are as well looking at strategies for poverty reduction to reflect or take into account this misleading information on poverty in Africa.  This provides materials and space for reflection, expression, discussion and action.

Those who may be interested in reflection, expression, discussion and action on False Positives of Poverty Reduction in Africa can join our poverty reduction pundits and/or contribute by contacting CENFACS’ be.Africa Forum, which is a forum or space for discussion on poverty reduction and sustainable development issues in Africa and which acts on behalf of its members by making proposals or ideas for actions for a better Africa.

To contact CENFACS about this discussion, please use our usual contact address on this website.

 

• Le Forum ‘Une Afrique Meilleure’ de CENFACS discute en ligne de Faux Positifs de la Réduction de la Pauvreté en Afrique

Pour lancer cette discussion en ligne, il est préférable d’expliquer les faux positifs en matière de réduction de la pauvreté.

L’analyse documentaire sur les faux positifs suggère que ces faux positifs en matière de réduction de la pauvreté désignent des situations où les données ou les politiques indiquent à tort que des personnes sont sorties de la pauvreté, ou encore lorsque des personnes non pauvres sont incluses à tort dans les programmes de réduction de la pauvreté (erreurs d’inclusion). Ces erreurs de ciblage et de communication créent une illusion de progrès, masquant souvent la réalité de privations persistantes.

On retrouve également ces erreurs dans le contexte africain. En Afrique, les faux positifs en matière de réduction de la pauvreté se manifestent par des scénarios où les données économiques conventionnelles suggèrent un recul de la pauvreté, alors qu’en réalité, les conditions de vie ne se sont pas améliorées ou que les améliorations sont fragiles et temporaires.

Les études économiques sur l’Afrique révèlent d’innombrables cas de faux positifs. Parmi ceux-ci, on peut citer :

σ Une croissance économique non favorable aux plus démunis (par exemple, un PIB élevé qui ne se traduit pas par une réduction de la pauvreté)

σ La négligence des fortes inégalités (par exemple, lorsque les personnes pauvres constatent peu d’amélioration de leurs conditions de vie)

σ Vulnérabilité aux chocs (tels que les sécheresses, les inondations, les crises sanitaires et les ralentissements économiques pour les ménages ne disposant pas de moyens de subsistance durables)

σ Omission de prendre en compte l’endettement (par exemple, les ménages bénéficiant d’une augmentation temporaire de leurs revenus, mais acquise au prix d’un endettement à taux d’intérêt élevés)

σ Manipulation des seuils de pauvreté (l’abaissement du seuil international de pauvreté peut créer une réduction artificielle du nombre de personnes vivant dans la pauvreté)

σ Données peu fiables et biais de mesure (recours à des indices nationaux des prix à la consommation trompeurs pour estimer la pauvreté)

σ Croissance de l’emploi insuffisante (chiffres de l’emploi trompeurs incluant des emplois ne répondant pas aux besoins)

Etc.

Toutes ces situations peuvent donner l’impression que la pauvreté a diminué, voire disparu, alors qu’en réalité, rien n’a changé. Des études approfondies montrent que le recours excessif aux taux de croissance du PIB comme indicateur direct de la réduction de la pauvreté est un écueil bien connu dans les discussions sur le développement en Afrique. En effet, lors de crises (comme la crise énergétique mondiale actuelle), l’ampleur et la gravité de ces écueils apparaissent au grand jour. La théorie postule que des phénomènes positifs se produisent lorsque les indicateurs de pauvreté montrent un déclin, mais que l’expérience de la pauvreté persiste.

C’est précisément ces faux positifs que nous abordons cette semaine. Nous examinons également des stratégies de réduction de la pauvreté qui tiennent compte de ces informations trompeuses sur la pauvreté en Afrique. Ce travail offre un espace et des ressources pour la réflexion, l’expression, la discussion et l’action.

Les personnes intéressées par la réflexion, l’expression, la discussion et l’action concernant les faux positifs en matière de réduction de la pauvreté en Afrique peuvent rejoindre notre groupe d’experts sur la réduction de la pauvreté et/ou contribuer en contactant le ‘me.Afrique’ du CENFACS (ou le Forum ‘Une Afrique Meilleure’ de CENFACS), qui est un forum ou espace de discussion sur les questions de réduction de la pauvreté et de développement durable en Afrique et qui agit au nom de ses membres en faisant des propositions ou des idées d’actions pour une Afrique meilleure.

Pour contacter le CENFACS au sujet de cette discussion, veuillez utiliser nos coordonnées habituelles sur ce site Web.

 

 

Main Development

 

• ICDP (Individual Capacity Development Programme) Resource, Holiday with Relief – Featured in the Spring 2026 Issue: Holiday with Alternative Activities

How to make the most of your vacation to strengthen bonds, learn new skills, and create unforgettable memories

 

Looking forward to building an activity holiday experience?

You are in the right place as the following contents will show you:

 

∝ What Is Holiday with Relief (HwR)?

∝ What Is the Focus for This Year’s HwR?

∝ Reduction of Poverty as a Lack of Holiday with Alternative Activities

∝ For Whom This Resource Is Designed 

∝ Types and Examples of Alternative Activities for Your Holiday

∝ Plan and Budget for Holiday with Alternative Activities

∝ Providers of Holiday with Alternative Activities

∝ Key Metrics for Evaluating Holiday Programme of Alternative Activities

∝ Needing Help and Support to Plan Your Holiday with Alternative Activities

 

Let us summarise these contents.

 

• • Content Summaries, Tips and Hints about Spring 2026 Holiday with Relief

 

• • • What Is Holiday with Relief?

 

Holiday with Relief (HwR) is an awareness, preparedness and solutions focused Resource to Manage Information over holidays (e.g. Easter and Summer holidays).

As an Information Manager, HwR is a set of life-changing tips and tricks to help and enable vulnerably unaware people to plan and have their holiday or break with confidence in taking into account all aspects of life and by making sure that key areas of those life aspects are not adversely affected.

 

• • • What Is the Focus for This Year’s HwR?

 

The focus for this year’s HwR is on Holidays Offering Alternative Activities.  This focus echoes the year’s dedication within CENFACS of 2026 as a Year of Alternatives, reflecting CENFACS’ commitment to alternatives for 2026. It is particularly timely, coinciding with CENFACS’ Spring 2026 campaign, a period of rebuilding and renewing lives, infrastructures, and institutions.  Holidays with Alternative Activities can contribute to this rebuilding and renewal.

To better understand this topic, let us define what “Holidays with Alternative Activities” means. These are family holidays offering unique experiences and activities beyond traditional beaches or amusement parks. Such holidays can include adventure trips, educational experiences, and local excursions tailored to different interests and age groups. They offer families the opportunity to strengthen bonds, acquire new skills, and create unforgettable memories in a more enriching and educational way.

For instance, in the UK “the Holiday Activities and Food Programme provides healthy meals, enriching activities, and free childcare places to children from low-income families, benefiting their health, well-being and learning” (op. cit.).

 

 

• • • Reduction of Poverty as a Lack of Holiday with Alternative Activities

 

This Spring Season, we shall find ways of working with the members of our community who are likely to face poverty as a lack of holiday with alternative activities.  What is it?

 

• • • • Understanding poverty as a lack of holiday with alternative activities

 

Poverty as lack of holiday with alternative activities is a form of social and economic deprivation where low-income families cannot afford school break trips, outings, or enrichment activities.  This creates a ‘holiday experience gap’, leading to child isolation, food insecurity (holiday hunger), and limited access to safe, stimulating play.

Key aspects and impacts of this type of poverty are holiday hunger, social isolation, reduced development, parental strain, etc.

Like any forms of poverty, poverty as a lack of holiday with alternative activities can be reduced or ended.

 

• • • • Reducing poverty as a lack of holiday with alternative activities

 

Reducing poverty as ‘the holiday experience gap’ – where children in low-income households miss out on fun, learning, and nutrition during school breaks – requires a combination of national policy initiatives, community-based programmes and financial support for families.

Key strategies for reducing this type of poverty can include the following:

 

# expanding funded activity programmes

# offering free transport and nutritious food

# facilitating access to affordable leisure

etc.

 

There are as well specific ways of reducing poverty as the lack of holiday with alternative activities, which are:

 

# Government-funded Holiday Schemes (like Holiday Activities and Food Programme)

# Providing alternative activities: It involves leverage local amenities, active play opportunities, take and make activity kits

# Financial support and reduced costs: They encompass targeted grants and subsidies, subsidized transport, concessionary pricing, and subsidized school trips

# Addressing underlying drivers by strengthening income support and providing flexible childcare support.

 

These strategies and specific ways of dealing with poverty as the lack of holiday with alternative activities will help children from low-income households to have the opportunity of holiday with alternative activities.

We hope that working together with these households will help them avoid during their holiday this type of poverty.

Through this wealth of information contained in the ‘Holiday with Relief’, we will try together to tackle this type of holiday poverty.

 

 

• • • For Whom This Resource Is Designed

 

This resource is primarily designed for the CENFACS Community members and those related to them.  The resource is designed to help families facing financial hardship, isolation, or find accessible, free or subsidized activities and breaks.

Key beneficiary groups for this holiday guide with alternative activities include:

 

√ Single parent families

√ Families with disabled children or adults

√ Families in crisis or experiencing it

√ Children with special needs needing specialized, low-stress or educational activities

√ Carers or individuals in need of respite holidays and breaks with alternative activities

Etc.

 

The resource also caters for the following:

 

√ Those who are looking for some basic ideas about how to build a holiday with alternative activities 

√ Those who are searching for holiday schemes and programmes with alternative activity contents

√ Those who would like to use their holiday to strengthen bonds, acquire new skills, and create unforgettable memories in a more enriching and educational way

√ Those who need a more active and immersive experience

√ Those who want holiday that involves activities beyond traditional beaches or amusement parks

√ Those who are planning adventure trips, educational experiences, and local excursions tailored to different interests and age groups

√ Those who are interested in creating holiday plan and budget that meet their alternative activity needs or requirements 

√ Busy parents eager to use holiday to get their energy and joy back through alternative activities

√ Those who are looking forward to raising money for their holiday with alternative activities 

√ Those who wish to fund their break with alternative activities as disabled persons and their carers

√ Those who are keen in measuring the effects of their holiday experiences by using metrics of holiday with alternative activities 

√ Anyone interested in improving the perceived qualities of their holiday, breaks and vacation destinations with alternative activities.

 

All these above-mentioned potential beneficiaries can find in HwR and its theme of Alternative Activity Holiday a really useful resource or tool about their plans for a holiday with alternative activities.

 

 

• • • Types and Examples of Alternative Activities for Your Holiday

 

Alternative holiday activities for low-income families focus on free or low-cost local experiences, including free museum visits, library workshops, nature-scavenger hunts, camping home den building, and utilizing community hubs.

 

• • • • Types of Alternative Activities for Your Holiday

 

The types of these activities are highlighted below.

 

# Cultural and educational visits: They include free museums, art galleries, and local library workshops

# Nature and outdoor exploration: It involves hiking, park visits, bug hunting, geocaching, bird watching and building forest dens

# Creative indoor activities: They encompass DIY crafting, car-making, baking, and building indoor forts

# Active recreation: It includes Swimming, bike rides, etc.

# Community events: They comprise with free street performances, volunteer opportunities, and community festivals

Etc.

 

Whatever the choice that families can make, what they are looking for in the above-mentioned activities is to make the most of their vacation, strengthen bonds, learn new skills, and create unforgettable memories.

 

• • • • Examples of Alternative Activities for Your Holiday

 

Low-income families or households can have alternative activities to traditional ones as these few examples and cost-effective ideas show.  These examples are staycation, cheap days out, charity support, local resources and affordable fun.  Let us consider each of them and what they can do as alternative activities.

 

# Staycation: A low-income family can create a ‘holiday at home’ vibe with garden games, tent camping in the backyard, or a ‘no-spend’ challenge day.

# Cheap days out: A low-income family can enquire about where to find vouchers (e.g., Tesco Club Card ones) or offers (like National Rail 2-for-1) for discounted entry to attractions.

# Charity support: A low-income family can seek support to charities supporting alternative activities for children, particularly children with disabilities or illnesses.

# Local resources: A low-income family can visit library websites or local authority listings for free community activities.

# Affordable fun: A low-income family can pack a homemade picnic to avoid restaurant costs at parks or beaches.

 

In short, the above-mentioned examples and ideas show that it is possible for low-income families to break the monotony of traditional vacations to develop new skills, get fit, and form deeper connections with their chosen environment.  They can spend holiday even if they do not have money to travel to holiday destinations they cannot afford.

Advice, tips and hints can be given on the above types and examples of alternative activities for their holiday.

 

 

• • • Plan and Budget for Holiday with Alternative Activities

 

The starting point in the planning process of any holiday is to have a plan for your holiday and a budget for it.  This process is even crucial for families or households with limited income.

Because of financial constraints, a low-income holiday budget (as indicated on the above Table 1) will focus on minimizing travel and accommodation costs by prioritizing local, free, or heavily discounted activities.  Therefore, a budget for a holiday with alternative activities will prioritize low-cost, experience-driven options over expensive tourist traps, often focusing on camping, self-catering, hiking and free local attractions to keep daily costs minimal.

Regarding your activity holiday plan, you need to include the following:

the environment/place with alternative activities to go if not staying at home, when to go, how to go, who to go with, where to stay, what to do, what to eat, when to return, what not to take with you to maximise the substitution effect of your holiday, etc.

In your plan, you would consider an activity holiday place which will provide you with alternative activities to choose.

Concerning your alternative holiday budget, the theory recommends taking inventory or stock of last year’s holiday accounts.  In practice, you will use your last year’s holiday expenses and divide them by 12 to obtain the monthly amount of saving or spending you need to budget for the next holiday.

To create your alternative activity holiday budget, you can use the following steps as provided by ‘hrss.cpa’ (11):

Income evaluation, setting spending limit, review of past expenses, allocation of funds, expense monitoring, future planning, and adaptability to challenges.

However, you should bear in mind that there are economic factors (like changes in interest rate, exchange rate, inflation, the cost of living, the cost of holidaying, trade tensions, the current energy crisis, etc.) you should include when working your numbers.  You budget will be adjusted for these factors.  You could as well use an online holiday budget calculator to do it for you.  It could be a good idea not to forget to use the retreat cost calculator.

 

 

• • • Providers of Holiday with Alternative Activities

 

There is a number of organisations working on alternative activity holiday matters.  They provide supported, therapeutic, or educational experiences tailored for specific needs (such as children in need or disability).  They can be grouped according to the following matters: supported and disability-focused holidays, children and families in need, adventure and activity-focused holidays, eco-tourism, volunteering and special interest.  Below these groupings/categories, we have named some of these organisations.

 

# Supported and disability-focused holidays

 

Under this category, the following organisations or providers can be named:

 

~ Revitalise

~ The 3H Foundation

~ Lets-Go Supported Holidays

~ The Newman Holiday Trust

~ Nutley Edge

~ Seagull Trust Cruises

~ Enable Holidays

 

# Children and families in need

 

The following organisations can be included

 

~ The Newman Holiday Trust

~ The Family Holiday Association

~ Holiday Activities and Food Programme

 

# Adventure and activity-focused holidays

 

Organisations dealing with holiday with alternative activities representing this category are

 

~ Calvert Trust

~ PGL & YHA

~ Speyside Trust Badaguish Centre

 

# Eco-tourism, volunteering and special interest

 

The following organisations can be found under this category:

 

~ Responsible Travel

~ WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms)

~ Dementia Adventure

~ YHA/PGL

etc.

 

Some of these organisations provide grants or financial support.

There are other organisations that are specialised in grants for disabled children and adults, adventurous holidays for adventurous families, etc.

Most of the organisations listed in this Spring 2026 Issue of Holiday with Relief are generally from the charity and voluntary sectors.

For those who are interested in them, it will be a good idea to check their requirement, size, length, decision timescale, deadline and qualifying criteria.

For those who may be having some problems in finding these details, they can contact CENFACS for guidance and support.

 

• • • Key Metrics for Evaluating Holiday Programme of Alternative Activities

 

Key metrics for evaluating holiday programmes for low-income families focus on accessibility, engagement, and well-being.  Core metrics can include these ones below:

 

~ Attendance rates

~ Percentage of sessions offering free, nutritious meals

~ The variety of enriching activities provided.

 

There are also key impact indicators, which involve the following:

 

~ Increased physical activity (e.g., 60+ minutes per day)

~ Reduced social isolation

~ Improvements in children’s mental well-being and self-esteem.

 

To sum up, key metrics and impact measures would include accessibility and attendance (e.g., percentage of participants), activity diversity (e.g., participation rates in various activities), nutritional quality (e.g., percentage of meals provided meeting nutritional standards), well-being and social impact (e.g., increased self-reported confidence among participants). 

One can as well consider key data trends (for instance, the percentage of participation in community-based activities or the percentage of families trying a new activity).

Any low-income family or household wanting to join an alternative activity can check some of these metrics to find out if the activity will provide them with the outcome they are looking for.  They can as well read the reviews about these activities from those who undertook them before.

 

 

• • • Needing Help and Support to Plan Your Holiday with Alternative Activities

 

CENFACS can work with the members of its community to plan their alternative activity holiday.  The plan will include the tips on focus, location, time, connection, boundaries, priority, engagement and budget.

Through this alternative activity holiday plan, people will be more aware of the key elements of their holiday with alternative activities.

CENFACS can as well work together with them/you to measure the substitution effects of their/your holiday by tracking changes in stress levels, mood, cognitive function and physical health before, during, and after the holiday, using tools like questionnaires, diaries and physiological measurements.

We can work together on the above-mentioned matters.  Where our capacity is limited, we can signpost beneficiaries to organisations, particularly charities working in the field of alternative activity holiday.

Additionally, there are charities and voluntary organisations that can help around holiday budget matters such as

 

∝ paying for holiday with alternative activities

∝ finding the right activities for holiday for families with a member with alternative activity needs

∝ finding a break and or respite with suitable alternative activities.

 

CENFACS can as well work with the members of its community to streamline holiday budget processes and achieve better results in terms of spending by guiding them on the following matters:

 

∝ what to do with unused holiday funds

∝ how to use unrestricted/unassigned/undesignated/designated fund balance to help balance your alternative activity holiday budget

∝ how to coordinate your needs of raising funds for your alternative activity holiday and the necessities of accounting for the holiday money raised to be received

∝ what to do with unspent alternative activity holiday grants

etc.

 

We hope that the above content summaries will provide an insightful idea about this year’s Issue of Holiday with Relief.  

For those users who would like to dive into Holiday with Alternative Activities, we can provide them with online and print resources (e.g., a detailed list of organisations providing holidaying support for those in need) relating to Holiday with Alternative Activities.

To support the theme of Holiday with Alternative Activities and get the full Spring 2026 Issue of ICDP Resource (Holiday with Relief), please contact CENFACS.

_________

 

• References

 

(1) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/holiday-activities-and-food-programme/holiday-activities-and-food-programme-2025 (accessed in April 2026)

(2) https://www.skillsbuilder.uk/universal-framework/planning (accessed in April 2026)

(3) https://www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/skills-development/build-your-skills/categories/planning-organisation (accessed in April 2026)

(4) https://www.saviom.com/resources/human-resources/articles/skill-development/ (accessed in April 2026)

(5) https://www.commsatwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2022-ABCD-Booklet-Handout-PROOF02.pdf (accessed in April 2026)

(6) https://www.wendymccaig.com/p/what-is-asset-based-community-development (accessed in April 2026)

(7) https://www.ibm.com/blog/observability-vs-monitoring/ (accessed in April 2024)

(8) https://www.wwf.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-09/WWI-PLANT-BASED-ALTERNATIVES-SummaryReport.pdf (accessed in April 2026)

(9) Bry-Chevalier, T. (2026, Comparing meat alternatives for a sustainable food system.npf sci Food. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41538-025-00694-3 (accessed in April 2026)

(10) https://www.sustainweb.org/foodpoverty/whatisfoodpoverty/ (accessed in April 2026)

(11) https://hrss.cpa/budgeting-for-the-holidays-guide-to-keeping-your-finances/ (accessed in April 2024)

_________

 

• Help CENFACS Keep the Poverty Relief Work Going This Year

 

We do our work on a very small budget and on a voluntary basis.  Making a donation will show us you value our work and support CENFACS’ work, which is currently offered as a free service.

One could also consider a recurring donation to CENFACS in the future.

Additionally, we would like to inform you that planned gifting is always an option for giving at CENFACS.  Likewise, CENFACS accepts matching gifts from companies running a gift-matching programme.

Donate to support CENFACS!

FOR ONLY £1, YOU CAN SUPPORT CENFACS AND CENFACS’ NOBLE AND BEAUTIFUL CAUSES OF POVERTY REDUCTION.

JUST GO TO: Support Causes – (cenfacs.org.uk)

Thank you for visiting CENFACS website and reading this post.

Thank you as well to those who made or make comments about our weekly posts.

We look forward to receiving your regular visits and continuing support until the end of 2026 and beyond.

With many thanks.

Welcome to CENFACS’ Online Diary!

01 April 2026

Post No. 450

 

 

The Week’s Contents

 

• Protection Month with Protection through Alternative Income Sources for Low Income Households 

• Goal of the Month: Reduction of Poverty as a Lack of Protection

• Activity/Task 4 of the ‘A’ Project: Find Alternatives to Protection for Those in Need

 

… And much more!

 

 

Key Messages

 

Our Year of Alternatives continues its course as we are kicking off April 2026 with the theme of Protection through Alternative Income Sources for Low Income Households.

Indeed, low-income households are particularly vulnerable to income shocks (that is, a sudden or unexpected drop in household’s income caused by various factors which restricts the ability to pay regular bills and leading to financial difficulties) because they often have limited savings and high living costs.  They cannot rely on statutory sick pay or insufficient savings.  They need to find other alternative income sources for protection.  But what is Protection through Alternative Income Sources for Low Income Households (PtAIS4LWHs)?

 

• • Understanding PtAIS4LWHs

 

PtAIS4LWHs refers to strategies, products, and support systems designed to replace, supplement, or protect a primary salary if it is lost due to illness, injury, or unexpected crises.  It aims to build financial resilience, prevent poverty, and ensure that essential living costs like rent and food are covered when the main wage earner cannot work.

To protect low-income households through alternative income sources, there are methods.

 

• • Methods for Protection via Alternative Income Sources

 

They include income protection insurance, critical illness cover, local welfare assistance scheme, alternative income generation, government benefits and grants.  Although all these sources are relevant, this year’s Month of Protection will mostly focus on alternative income generation.  The latter involves creating secondary income streams through “side hustles”, selling unused items, or taking on part-time freelance work, etc.

During this Month of Protection, we shall work with low-income households in finding out the best way of protecting themselves through alternative income streams.  To do that, we need to have an action plan for work the Protection Month, which will involve four phases as follows:

 

Phase 1: Assessment and Safe Targeting

Phase 2: Planning and Skill Development

Phase 3: Implementation and Support

Phase 4: Protection Mainstreaming, Monitoring and Evaluation.

 

In our work with them, we shall also include the common strategies for income protection like building an emergency fund, utilizing government support, affordable credit and leveraging assets.

We shall as well explore ways of reducing alternative income poverty, that is the lack of suitable additional sources or streams besides the main source to generate extra income to meet or complement their basic needs for a period of time.  Reducing alternative income poverty is about decreasing or ending the lack of alternative income streams that could offer low-income households additional financial protection against unforeseen events like job loss, illness, or injury.

This Month of Protection is finally of dealing with other areas of links between protection and alternative sources, such as environmental and conservation protection.  In the context of conservation, providing alternative income is a strategy to protect natural resources by offering communities and households an alternative to unsustainable, resource-damaging practices.  This can help protect fauna, flora and funga.

Likewise, in humanitarian crises, alternative livelihood can protect people from devastating choices and risks to their personal safety.  This is without forgetting protection against the adverse impacts of climate through our Climate Follow-up Talks Project known as Taking Climate Protection and Stake for African Children.

The above-mentioned areas of work for this month are summarized in CENFACS’ Action Plan for April 2026.  To find more about this action plan and what is likely to be the Month of Protection within CENFACS, please read under the Main Development section of this post.

 

 

• Goal of the Month: Reduction of Poverty as a Lack of Protection

 

To approach this goal, let us first explain what it means.

 

• • What Does Mean Reducing Poverty as a Lack of Protection?

 

It is about protecting people from insecurity, inequality, and inability to access basic rights, with social protection systems serving as the key pillar for doing so.  It involves shielding individuals from risks, vulnerabilities, and exploitation.

Reducing poverty by addressing a ‘lack of protection’ also means focusing on building resilience, stability, and security for vulnerable populations rather than just increasing income.  This goal of the month is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 1 – formulated as No Poverty – (1) and includes creating “social protection floors”.

For instance, for vulnerable populations, social protection can stem from social safety net programmes that offer alternative sources of income like financial aid and grants, which can provide protection against poverty and income shocks.

Reducing poverty as a lack of protection as a main goal can encapsulate other goals or sub-goals, which can be

 

σ Implementation of universal social protection systems

σ Building resilience to disasters and shocks

σ Ensuring access to basic services and resources

σ Preventing destitution and chronic poverty

σ Extending social safety nets

σ Integrating ‘cash plus’ ‘ approaches

σ Promoting gender-based protection

Etc.

 

There are implications for selecting the Goal of the Month.

 

• • Implications for Selecting the Goal for the Month

 

Implications for poverty reduction under this framework mean focusing on preventive social systems, risk mitigation, and rights-based interventions rather than just post-hoc relief.

Key implications include the following:

 

a) Shifting from income support to risk management: This involves preventing vicious circles by strengthening resilience, protection against ill-health, social protection as a structural tool

b) Addressing multi-dimensional vulnerabilities: It encompasses going beyond monetary poverty, mitigating environmental and market shocks, and child-centred protection

c) Reversing structural barriers and exploitation: It includes breaking labour exploitation, eliminating social discrimination, and countering stigma

d) Enhancing social cohesion and trust: It is about restoring trust and using participatory approach.

 

Besides these implications, there are expectations from our Goal of the Month.

 

• • What We Expect from Our Supporters Regarding the Goal of the Month

 

After selecting the goal for the month, we focus our efforts and mind set on the selected goal by making sure that in our real life we apply it.  We also expect our supporters to go for the goal of the month by working on the same goal and by supporting those who may be suffering from the type of poverty linked to the goal for the month we are talking about during the given month (e.g., April 2026).

For further details on the goal of the month, its selection procedure including its support and how one can go for it, please contact CENFACS.

 

 

• Activity/Task 4 of the ‘A’ Project: Find Alternatives to Protection for Those in Need

 

To deal with Activity/Task 4, it is better to explain it and provide some clues on ways of engaging with it.

 

• • What Is This Activity/Task about?

 

Activity/Task 4 of the ‘A’ Project is about finding or using substitutes (whether in poverty reduction, sustainable development or other matters) or legal scenarios to reduce risk, enhance security, and increase resilience against potential harm or loss.  Alternatives can act as ‘a safety net’ that can allow for navigation around dangers, market volatility, or hazards.

For instance, in terms financial portfolio protection (or alternative investments), alternatives can provide protection as a diversifier against traditional market volatility.

 

• • Engaging with Activity/Task 4 of the “A” Project

 

Engaging with the Activity/Task of finding alternatives to traditional protection (such as passive welfare or in-kind aid) for poverty reduction requires a shift towards empowerment, livelihood development, and community-led solutions.  This approach focuses on building capabilities, agency, and assets, allowing those in need to escape poverty sustainably rather than relying on safety nets.

There are strategies to engage with this Activity/Task.

 

• • • Strategies to Engage with Activity/Task 4

 

These strategies include the following ones:

 

a) Adopt an empowerment and asset framework

It is about moving from a ‘needs-based’ approach (providing for people) to an asset-based approach (enabling people). 

It includes

 

~ viewing people as agents, not recipients

~ focusing on autonomy-oriented help

~ utilizing community-led development approaches.

 

b) Implement economic empowerment strategies

These approaches, which aim at directly increasing incomes and assets, encapsulate promoting agriculture and markets, facilitating access to finance, investing in skills and vocational training, fostering entrepreneurship, etc.

 

c) Tackle structural and systemic causes

Alternatives need to address the root causes of poverty by

 

~ improving access to basic services

~ promoting gender equality

~ securing land and property rights.

 

d) Create graduation programmes

These programmes include ‘cash-plus’ models or approaches (like cash with coaching, training, or access to health services) and livelihood diversification.

 

e) Engage through participatory methods

It is about using structural methods (like See-Judge-Act) for effective strategy.

 

The above-mentioned strategies will help those in need of reducting poverty as protection lacking to transition from ‘needing protection’ to ‘having the power and resources to thrive’.

So, engaging with the Activity/Task 4 of finding alternatives requires a shift towards empowerment-based, promotive, and structural approaches.  The goal here is to move from simply mitigating the symptoms of poverty to enabling our members and other community members to build resilience and create their own pathway out of poverty as a lack of protection.

Those who would like to engage with this Activity/Task can go ahead with it.

For those who need some help before embarking on this Activity/Task, they can speak to CENFACS.

For any other queries and enquiries about ‘A’ Project and this year’s dedication, please contact CENFACS as well.

 

 

Extra Messages

 

• ReLive Issue No. 18, Spring 2026: People with Acute Needs in Africa Want to Rebuild and Renew Their Lives, Can You Help?

• All-Year-Round Projects Lifecycle – Step/Workshop 7: Implementing Your Play, Run and Vote Projects; and Integrating Triple Value Initiatives into Your All-Year-Round Projects Implementation

• Household- and Area-focused Programmes for Assets and Economy Building for Families – In Focus from 01/04/2026: Asset-building Project for Families

 

 

• ReLive Issue No. 18, Spring 2026: People with Acute Needs in Africa Want to Rebuild and Renew Their Lives, Can You Help?

 

• • What is ReLive?

 

ReLive is one of CENFACS’ Spring campaigns and a bridge between CENFACS’ Winter Lights and Spring Relief seasons.

ReLive advocacy is designed to plead for help to the peoples and communities whose lives and livelihoods have been destroyed to rebuild themselves.  The current appeal will try to achieve this for the People with Acute Needs in Africa this Spring 2026.

Although this appeal is a seasonal appeal related to Spring, it is also a consolidated one following our Winter Light appeals.

 

• • What Is the Focus for ReLive in 2026?

 

The 18th issue of CENFACS’ Once-a-year Spring Appeal for Renewing Lives (ReLive) will focus on advocating for the support of People in Acute Needs or Those in the Most Serious Humanitarian Crises in Africa who require help to rebuild and renew their lives this Spring 2026.

Indeed, this Spring 2026 humanitarian needs in Africa are at record highs with millions of lives/people requiring urgent rebuilding and renewal due to the intensification of civil wars, regional armed conflicts, severe climate shocks, and resulting famine conditions.

The most acute crises are centred in Sudan, the Sahel, the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Horn of Africa.

 

• • What Is ReLive in 2026 about?

 

It is about working with those in the most serious humanitarian crises in Africa to create enhanced relief so that they can rebuild and renew their lives.  They need rebuilding, renewal and support due to the convergence of armed conflict, climate-induced disasters, and economic distress.

 

• • Who Needs Rebuilding, Renewal and Support (RR&S)?

 

This appeal will cover all those needing RR&S, particularly but not specifically the following affected populations:

 

σ Those who were forcibly displaced and under famine conditions in cities like El Fasher (in Sudan)

σ Affected populations in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger where violence has triggered massive displacement

σ Women and children requiring nutritional assistance in the region surrounding Uvira and Bukavu in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

σ Communities in Tigray, Amhara, Oromia in Northern Ethiopia where they are enduring continued displacement

Etc.

 

The People with Acute Needs in Africa require support of all kinds as they face high vulnerabilities.

 

• • Key Vulnerabilities They Face

 

They include the following:

 

σ Women and girls face high risk of gender-based violence and lack of maternal health services, particularly in Mali and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

σ Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons are trapped in temporary settlements with limited protection

σ Health and school facilities have been catastrophically destroyed and are requiring long-term rehabilitation

σ Communities in Southern Africa affected by extreme flooding between late 2025 and January 2026 need urgent infrastructure and agricultural recovery

σ Rural pastoralists and farmers in the Horn of Africa facing La Niña-induced drought need to manage crop failure and livestock losses.

Etc.

 

• • What ReLive Campaign Will Bring to the People with Acute Needs

 

The Campaign will help meet rebuilding and renewal needs like

 

σ Healthcare facilities, water systems, and local food production in Sudan

σ Reconstruct razed villages, damaged schools, and transport infrastructure in the Sahel

σ Re-establish health and create special protections from gender-based violence in the Eastern DRC

σ Rebuild economic base for pastoralists and farmers

σ Provide clean water, education, and healthcare to the Internally Displaced Persons

σ Rebuilding destroyed homes for communities in South Kivu (DRC)

σ Restoration of basic services and civilian infrastructure for communities in the Central Sahel

σ In brief, rebuild and renew lives in a gradual, safe and sustainable way.

 

Like before, the Campaign is done through Gifts of Renewing Lives or Life-renewing Projects.

 

• • What Are Gifts of Renewing Lives (GoRLs) and Life-renewing Projects (LRPS)?

 

• • • Gifts of Renewing Lives

 

In terms of poverty reduction, Gifts of Renewing Lives (GoRLs) refer to charitable initiatives, often in the form of vocational training, income-generating assets, or direct cash transfers, designed to move people from a state of dependance and extreme poverty to one of sustainability, self-reliance, and dignity.

This approach focuses on breaking the cycle of poverty by providing the necessary resource for families to change their circumstances permanently, rather than solely relying on continuous emergency aid.

Examples of GoRLs include the following:

Income-generating assets (e.g., providing tools), asset upgrading (e.g., giving materials), direct cash transfers (e.g., to purchase tools or start a business), restoring dignity and agency (e.g., empowering people with skills), lasting impact (e.g., creating long-term stability), capacity building and training (e.g., to gain skills to find job or start a business), community-led development (e.g., to identify their own problems and execute local solutions).

In brief, GoRLs are the presents to break the generational cycle of poverty.  They are an investment that enables those who receive them to transition from survival mode to thriving.

 

• • • Life-Renewing Projects

 

Life-renewing Projects (LRPs) refer to focused initiatives designed to restore, improve, or fundamentally change the quality of life, environment or community for the better.  The term is mostly used in the contexts of community-powered residential retrofitting (such as the European Union’s ‘LIFE Renew-it’ project) and of biodiversity/environmental restoration (such as ‘RENEW’).

LRPs have core principles, which are:

 

σ Participatory: It involves the people are directly impacted by the change

σ Sustainable: It focuses on long-term ecological or social viability

σ Transformative: It moves beyond mirror repairs to fundamentally battering conditions.

 

In the context of poverty reduction, there is a difference between LRPs and GoRLs.

 

• • • The Difference between GoRLs and LRPS

 

The difference between a gift of renewing lives (often conceptualized as direct, sometimes faith-based, relief, or life-changing gifts) and a life-renewing project (structured, systemic, and community-driven initiatives) lies in the scope, duration, and approach to empowerment.

A GoRL refers to direct, often one-time or tangible assistance (gifts) that provide immediate relief, such as emergency kits or microfinance funds that change an individual’s immediate circumstances.

A LRP refers to systemic, long-term programmes that involve community-driven, sustainable change, such as collective home retrofitting or comprehensive community rehabilitation aimed at changing the structure of poverty.

Although GoRL addresses immediate needs and provides hope, it can help beneficiary to develop LRP which builds systemic, lasting, and sustainable change.

So, LRPs are poverty relief and Spring like gifts designed to materialise ReLive advocacy by helping people to set free from multi-dimensional deprivations and hardships so that they can start up again, renew and rebuild their lives with hope.

LRPs are part of CENFACS’ African Rebuilding and Sustaining Infrastructures and Lives Programme.  Spring Gifts of Renewing Lives are about bringing renewal, joy and hope to needy people.  These Spring 2026 Gifts will be about bringing the same benefits to the People with Acute Needs in Africa Desperately Wanting to Rebuild and Renew Their Lives in Africa.

 

• • What Are These Ways or Gifts of Renewing Lives?

 

This Spring, we are running 14 Gifts in a world of 20 Reliefs or Helpful Differences.  What does this mean?

It means donors or funders have 14 Gifts of Renewing Lives or materials to choose from and enable the creation of 20 Reliefs (impacts or values) to select from to make helpful differences to the acute needy.

In total, our Spring Relief 2026 Campaign is providing to potential supporters 14 GIFTS of rebuilding acute needy’s lives in Africa in 20 RELIEFS to make this happen.

For this rebuilding or renewal to happen, support is needed towards LRPs.

To support, please contact CENFACS at http://cenfacs.org.uk/contact-us/

 

 

• All-Year-Round Projects Lifecycle – Step/Workshop 7: Implementing Your Play, Run and Vote Projects; and Integrating Triple Value Initiatives into Your All-Year-Round Projects Implementation

 

After making the organisational structure of your chosen Play, Run and Vote Projects, it is now the time to proceed with the Implementation Step.

This step can be broken into two sub-steps:

 

a) Implementing your Play, Run and Vote Projects

b) Integrating Triple Value Initiatives (TVIs) into your Play, Run and Vote Projects.

 

Let us cover these sub-steps.

 

• • Implementing Your Play, Run and Vote Projects (7.1)

 

• • • What Is an Implementation Step?

 

There are many definitions within the literature about project implementation.  One of them comes from ‘taskmanagementguide.com’ (2) which states that

“Project implementation is a practice of executing or carrying out a project under a certain plan in order to complete this project and produce desired results”.

The above definition indicates that one needs an implementation plan.  As an all-year-round project implementor, you can draw up your implementation plan that shows the way you would like to execute and carry out your project.

Having said that Project Implementation is the step you put your project plan into action.  This step can be broken into exploration, installation, initial implementation and full implementation.  Before breaking this step, it may be wise to understand AYRP (All-Year-Round Project) implementation, not just project implementation.

 

• • • What Is an AYRP Implementation?

 

The literature survey on AYRP Implementation indicates that AYRP Implementation refers to a structured, continuous approach to executing project activities, maintaining momentum, and delivering results over a 12-month period.  Instead of a short-term sprint, this method involves consistent, often cyclical, planning and execution that aligns with annual charity goals/objects, ensuring project work is sustained without stalling.

Key aspects of AYRP Implementation include a 12-month focus, continuous execution, structured resource management, adaptive planning, and overcoming resilience.  To success, an AYRP Implementation needs to have clear goals, a plan (implementation plan), monitoring and control.

Because all-year round projects are such small initiatives, you will not need to break this step.

You want your all-year-round project to fulfil and accomplish the goals and objectives you have set up for it.  It is also the phase during which you can register, review and approve/reject any changes and variations.  As an all-year-round project manager of your project, you need to coordinate all project aspects and resources to meet the objectives of the project plan.  One of the aspects of the project implementation is change control.

 

• • • What Is Change Control in a Project implementation Process? 

 

The website ‘ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub’ (3) states that

“Change control is a set of procedures that lets you make changes in an organised way”.

The same ‘ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub’ explains this:

“If you find a problem… you will need to look at how it affects the triple constraint (time, cost, scope) and how it impacts the project quality… If you evaluate the impact of the change and find it won’t have an impact on the project triple constraint, then you can make the change without going through change control”.

 

 

• • • An Example of Implementing Your All-year Round Projects

 

Let us take the example of Voting Your 2026 International Development and Poverty Reduction Manager.

Your goal is to find a person who will meet the managerial qualities of such a position.  Amongst the objectives are the design of a job description and person specification that match with the profile of your ideal International Development and Poverty Reduction Manager of the Year.

In project implementation jargon, you will put approved plan into practice to proceed with the selection of your International Development and Poverty Reduction Manager of the Year.  He/she must meet your selection criteria.  If you are voting as a group, you could set up a selection panel or recruitment board like you will do it for real job interview.  You can start by shortlisting 12 candidates, cutting down your list to 6, then to 3 until you reach/vote the last one, who has scored the best and most results of your jury questions and responded to most criteria.

You can decide to add a fundraising feature to your voting activity.

 

• • • Fundraising during the Vote of International Development and Poverty Reduction Manager of the Year

 

You can invite the members of the public pay to participate in voting and/or to participate in the selection procedure.  Their payment will be the money you will raise for good causes like CENFACS‘ noble and beautiful ones.  The money raised will help to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

However, your selection process will not be enough unless you incorporate TVIs in it.

 

•  • Integrating Triple Value Initiatives into Your All-Year-Round Projects Implementation (7.2)

 

Integrating TVIs – environmental (planet), social (people), and economic (prosperity) – into year-round project implementation requires shifting from ad-hoc CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities to embedding sustainability into the core project lifecycle.  This involves extending strategic planning, setting measurable goals and fostering continuous engagement throughout the year.

There are guides in order to integrate TVIs throughout your project management lifecycle.  In this context, the guide is as follows.

 

a) Conceptualisation and Planning Phase

It involves embedding value in project scope, conducting local needs analysis, and extending strategic timeframes.

 

b) Implementation and Execution Phase

It includes green procurement, the operationalization of social value, and the implementation of circular economy.

 

c) Monitoring and Reporting Phase

It encompasses the use of data-driven Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), the holding of transparent reporting, and undertaking of monthly audits.

 

d) Continuous Improvement

It consists of establishing green meetings, having adaptive management, and reflecting on lessons learned.

 

Additionally, this integration does not happen by chance.  It requires enablers.  In this respect, the key strategic enablers would include support from senior leadership, collaboration with team members, and the use of digital tools for ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) tracking capabilities.

These initiatives (that is, TVIs) will help build more resilient AYRPs leading to a personal and positive legacy.  In other words, with these practices, your AYRP will transition from simply meeting a goal to delivering lasting integrated value (that is, People, Planet, and Prosperity) throughout the year.

CENFACS can work with AYRP users to integrate these initiatives into their project tools and lifecycle thinking processes.  This will stop these TVIs being ‘add-on’ and enable them become part of the implementation of their AYRP success.

For those who are not familiar with project implementation and the integration of Triple Value Model into their AYR project, they should not hesitate to contact CENFACS if they need support.

They can contact CENFACS by

 

phoning, texting, e-mailing and completing the contact form on this website.

 

We can together discuss in detail your/their proposals about either your/their Run or Play or Vote projects, as well as the integration of TVIs into these projects.

For any queries and/or enquiries about All-Year-Round Projects Lifecycle and Implementation as well as about the Integration of Triple Value Initiatives into Project, please contact CENFACS.

 

 

• Household- and Area-focused Programmes for Assets and Economy Building for Families – In Focus from 01/04/2026: Asset-building Project for Families

 

Last week, we introduced Household- and Area-focused Programmes for Assets and Economic Building for Families (H&AfP4A&EB4Hs) as strategic approaches designed to foster wealth retention, economic resilience, and local ownership by focusing on specific geographic areas and individual household capacities.

This week, we are going to start one of the programmes making H&AfP4A&EB4Hs, in particular Household-Focused Programmes (HFPs).

 

• • What Are HFPs?

 

HFPs are initiatives that focus on increasing the financial security, skills, and tangible assets of individual families, and residents particularly in low-income scenarios. 

Among HFPs, we have selected these four below to work with household families making the CENFACS Community from every Wednesday of April 2026 (as indicated by the dates pre-attached to them):

 

Wednesday 01/04/2026: Asset-building for Low-income Households

Wednesday 08/04/2026: Asset-based Community Development

Wednesday 15/04/2026: Financial Inclusion and Educational Programmes

Wednesday 22/04/2026: Affordable Housing and Energy Efficiency.

 

It is possible to work with the community so that they access and gain the benefits offered by this programme.

 

• • Working with the Community on HFPs

 

As part of supporting our community members in the process of building their assets and economy to reduce poverty we will be working with them on these programmes from this April.  The first activity/project is on Asset-building for Low-income Households.

 

 

• • Wednesday 01/04/2026: Asset-building for Low-income Households

 

To start this Activity/Project, let first explain asset-building, then highlight areas that we can work together with household families making the CENFACS Community.

 

• • • What Is Asset-building?

 

To explain asset-building, we have selected two definitions.  The first selected definition is the one given by Asset Funders Network (4) which argues that

“Asset building is how individuals, families, and communities gather the resources that will move them towards economic well-being, for now and for years to come”.

The second definition comes from ‘moneyfox.com’ (5) which states that

“Asset building is a proactive strategy aimed at increasing an individual’s, company’s, or country’s economic base by acquiring resources that offer potential future benefits.  These resources, or assets, can range from tangible items like real estate and machinery to intangible ones as patents or copyrights.  The essence of asset building lies in the expectation that these assets will provide economic returns, enhance wealth, or contribute to financial stability over time”.

There are steps to build assets, just as there are strategies for effective asset building.  As part of working together with household families making the CENFACS Community, we are going to explore these steps and strategies with them.

 

• • • Working with the CENFACS Community on Asset-building

 

It involves the following:

 

σ Shifting from a deficit-based model to a strengths-based approach

σ Focusing on building long-term financial security through savings, education, and investment

σ Fostering financial literacy through open family conversations

σ Supporting families to implement individual/family development accounts

σ Encouraging them to learn financial literacy and numeracy skills

σ Signposting them to community-based networks

σ Focusing on their strengths and capabilities instead of their weaknesses and incapacities

σ Promoting savings mentality among them for their financial security

σ Finding ways of facilitating accessible financial support and services for them

Etc.

 

Those who may be interested in working with us on Asset-building for Low-income Households, they can contact CENFACS.

Those who may have any queries and/or enquiries about Asset-building for Low-income Households or H&AfP4A&EB4Hs, they should not hesitate to communicate with CENFACS.

 

 

Message in French (Message en français)

À paraître ce printemps 2026 : le numéro 91 de FACS, qui s’intitulera comme suit:

« Les Organisations Caritatives Africaines qui Promeuvent des Alternatives à l’Industrialisation à fortes Émissions et Luttent contre la Pauvreté Induite par la Pollution en Afrique »

Les Organisations Caritatives Africaines (OCA) ou Oeuvres de Charité Africaines peuvent promouvoir des alternatives à l’industrialisation traditionnelle, fortement polluante. Elles peuvent y parvenir en encourageant les énergies vertes, l’économie durable et l’économie circulaire, plutôt que les méthodes industrielles traditionnelles et polluantes. Elles peuvent également aider les communautés appauvries par la dégradation de l’environnement (par exemple, la perte de ressources halieutiques ou agricoles due à la pollution, ou encore les coûts élevés des soins de santé liés à des environnements toxiques).

Les statistiques relatives à l’industrialisation fortement polluante et à la pauvreté induite par la pollution sont révélatrices de l’ampleur de ces émissions et de la nature de cette pauvreté.

Les statistiques relatives à l’industrialisation à fortes émissions indiquent que, malgré les efforts des organisations caritatives et des innovateurs africains pour promouvoir des alternatives industrielles vertes et à faibles émissions – telles que l’agriculture solaire, la mobilité électrique et les foyers de cuisson propres –, leur impact est limité par les progrès du changement climatique. Les principaux constats concernent les alternatives vertes, notamment les énergies renouvelables et l’agriculture, la cuisson propre et la mobilité électrique, l’innovation verte, etc. Les principales tendances statistiques portent sur les contraintes financières, la forte dépendance aux émissions, les limitations du marché du carbone, etc.  Par exemple, le site « furtherafrica.com » (6) souligne que :

« Avec 60 % du potentiel mondial d’énergie solaire, mais ne recevant que 2 % des investissements mondiaux dans ce secteur, le continent africain est idéalement placé pour jouer un rôle central dans la transition énergétique mondiale.»

De même, le site « africaclimatereports.org » (7) indique que :

« Le continent africain abrite 20 % des puits de carbone mondiaux et contribue à moins de 4 % des émissions mondiales de gaz à effet de serre. Pourtant, il ne reçoit que moins de 10 % des financements destinés à l’adaptation et seulement 3 % du financement total pour le climat. Ce manque de ressources a des conséquences existentielles. »

Concernant les statistiques relatives à la pauvreté induite par la pollution, il convient de souligner qu’il s’agit d’une crise grave et interconnectée. Les principales statistiques sur ce sujet sont liées à des indicateurs tels que le nombre de décès et le coût économique associés à la pollution atmosphérique, l’exposition à la pauvreté résultant de la vie dans des zones où les niveaux de pollution aux particules fines (PM2,5) sont dangereux, la perte annuelle de produit intérieur brut liée aux impacts de la pollution et la précarité énergétique due au manque d’accès aux services énergétiques modernes.

Pour illustrer cette pauvreté, la Banque mondiale (8) estime que :

« 716 millions de personnes vivant dans l’extrême pauvreté, définie comme un revenu inférieur à 1,90 $ par jour, sont directement exposées à des concentrations dangereuses de particules fines PM2,5 ; parmi elles, 405 millions, soit 57 %, vivent en Afrique subsaharienne.»

De même, ‘greenpeace.org’ (9) mentionne 1,1 million de décès annuels dus à la pollution atmosphérique.

Le 91e numéro de FACS, qui s’inscrit dans l’Année des Alternatives du CENFACS et de la recherche de modèles et de systèmes alternatifs pour la réduction de la pauvreté, portera sur les alternatives en matière de développement industriel et d’industrialisation. Il s’agira de développer, de promouvoir et de déployer à grande échelle des modèles économiques, des technologies et des méthodes de production qui s’écartent des approches industrielles conventionnelles, fortement émettrices de carbone et extractives. L’accent sera mis sur la création d’alternatives durables, inclusives et localisées – telles que l’économie circulaire, la propriété collective ou la production communautaire – pour lutter contre la dégradation de l’environnement, les inégalités sociales et les limites de la croissance traditionnelle, gourmande en ressources, sans oublier la réduction et l’éradication de la pauvreté induite par la pollution.

Le 91e numéro de FACS examinera les principales théories relatives à l’industrialisation à fortes émissions en Afrique, notamment : l’hypothèse du refuge de la pollution/l’effet de halo de la pollution, la courbe de Kuznets environnementale, le modèle IPAT (Impact = Population x Abondance x Technologie), la théorie de l’inertie réglementaire et la théorie économique néoclassique du lien entre pollution et économie. Ce numéro abordera ces théories non seulement sous l’angle de leurs explications sur l’industrialisation à fortes émissions en Afrique, mais aussi sous celui de la pauvreté induite par la pollution sur le continent.

Le 91e numéro de FACS sera consacré aux OCA œuvrant pour la justice climatique, c’est-à-dire celles qui reconnaissent que les populations les plus pauvres sont souvent les plus touchées par la pollution industrielle. Ce numéro s’intéressera également aux organisations de développement, qui promeuvent des moyens de subsistance propres, durables et locaux, plutôt que de dépendre d’industries fortement polluantes. Enfin, il s’intéressera au travail des OCA impliquées dans le droit ou les politiques environnementales, notamment celles qui militent pour enrayer la pollution à la source afin d’éviter qu’elle n’entraîne des difficultés économiques.

Le 91e numéro de FACS retracera également le lien entre l’industrialisation à fortes émissions et la pauvreté induite par la pollution, et expliquera comment les OCA s’efforcent de contribuer efficacement à la réduction de cette forme de pauvreté en Afrique.

Loin de se limiter à un constat négatif sur les émissions et la pollution, ce numéro présentera des exemples concrets d’alternatives écologiques dans les domaines des énergies renouvelables, de l’agriculture régénératrice, de l’autonomisation des petits exploitants agricoles, de la valorisation des déchets, des modes de cuisson propres et de la mobilité électrique, et de l’innovation verte. Il démontrera ainsi que les OCA s’engagent auprès des communautés locales pour transformer les processus polluants et fortement émetteurs. Malgré les obstacles, elles impulsent le changement en aidant les populations et les communautés locales à abandonner les modèles polluants et fortement émetteurs pour s’orienter vers un développement durable à long terme.

Pour en savoir plus sur ce nouveau numéro, veuillez consulter régulièrement les publications de CENFACS au printemps 2026. Pour réserver un exemplaire papier de ce 91e numéro de FACS, veuillez contacter CENFACS en indiquant vos coordonnées postales.

 

Protecting households through alternative income sources involves diversifying revenue streams beyond primary salary to create resilience against job loss, inflation, or unexpected emergencies.

Alternative income strategies involve the combination of the following:

 

a) Promoting alternative livelihoods and diversification

It includes agricultural diversification (e.g., encouraging farmers to adopt diverse income streams), small-scale entrepreneurship (e.g., stimulating the development of trading and service provision like repair services), and the graduation approach (e.g., productive asset transfers like livestock).

 

b) Financial inclusion and asset protection

It involves microinsurance (e.g., providing low-income households with affordable insurance), microfinance and savings group (e.g., self-help groups), ‘wheels to Work’ schemes (e.g., providing affordable transport).

 

c) Skill development and formalisation

It encompasses vocational training and apprenticeships (e.g., offering targeted skills), digital skills training (e.g., developing literacy skills), and support for the self-employed.

 

d) Community-led approaches

It involves community-led housing and development and promoting local ‘Anchora’.

 

e) Policy-level support

It includes adaptive social protection and strengthening local economies.

 

The above-mentioned strategies provide the best protection against falling into deep poverty.

 

 

• • Types of Poor Households Needing Protection via AIS

 

Poor Households Needing Protection via AIS are those with high risks of severe poverty, low income-generating capacity, or high dependency ratios. 

Among these vulnerable households requiring such protection are the following:

 

σ Lone-parent families

σ Large families (with more than 3 children)

σ Low-income working households

σ Disabled individuals and households with disabled members

σ Workless households

σ Self-employed individuals with low earnings

σ Elderly or pensioner households

σ Younger renters (16 to 24 years old)

σ Households in rented accommodation

σ Migrant households or undocumented workers.

 

• • Metrics for Measuring Protection through AIS

 

These metrics for low-income households focus on assessing how diversified income streams, assets, and non-traditional earnings reduce vulnerability to poverty.  They involve evaluating the ratio of alternative income to total income, the stability of these sources, and their effectiveness in covering inescapable costs.

Among these metrics the following ones can be mentioned:

 

a) Income Composition and Diversification Metrics (IC&DMs)

 

IC&DMs include

 

~ Share of Alternative Income

~ Income Diversification Index

~ Net Disposable Income (Post-Tax and Transfers)

 

b) Vulnerability and Safety Net Metrics (V&SNMs)

 

V&SNMs involve

 

~ Low Income Gap (Shortfall)

~ Material Deprivation Measure

~ Liquid Asset Availability

 

c) Cost-Adjusted Income Metrics (CAIMs)

 

CAIMs encompass

 

~ Residual Income

~ Disposable Income after Housing Costs

 

d) Sustainability and Stability Metrics (A&SMs)

 

A&SMs include

 

~ Alternative Income Stability Index

~ Access to Financial Services

 

e) Coping Strategy Indicators (CSIs)

 

An example of CSIs is Incidence of Negative Coping Strategies.

 

The above-mentioned metrics are often aggregated into a ‘basket of measures’ rather than relying on a single indicator to capture the complex nature of low-income financial resilience.

 

To kick off this Phase 1 of protection, let us first explain assessment and safe targeting, then provide what this Phase contains.

 

• • • What are assessment and safe targeting

Phase 1.1: Protection-focused livelihoods assessment

This assessment consists of identifying not just income gaps, but protection threats related to the existing income (e.g., child labour).

 

Phase 1.2: Vulnerability mapping

It is about targeting households based on specific criteria (such as families with no resource to public funds or households with disabilities).

 

Phase 1.3: Market analysis

It involves conducting a market survey to ensure the proposed alternative incomes (e.g., agriculture processing trading) have a local, accessible market.

 

Phase 1.4: Safety audit

It includes assessing potential risks of new activities to ensure they do not cause harm or increase vulnerability (e.g., women travelling long distance).

These steps can be used to work with the community.

 

• • • • Non-specific strategies relating to assessment and safe targeting

 

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