Living Lakes Network East Africa

The network was launched in January 2009 and is coordinated by Global Nature Fund.

The mission of this regional network is to build holistic and interdisciplinary approaches that are geared towards ensuring clean and healthy living lakes, supporting man and aquatic ecosystems in a sustainable manner.

To attain the above vision and mission, following specific objectives have been stipulated:

To lobby and advocate for streamlining policy and decision making based on sound science and best available information for the sustainable management and use of East African Living Lakes resources.
To lobby and advocate for streamlining policy and decision making based on sound science and best available information for the sustainable management and use of East African Living Lakes resources.
To promote networks and partnerships with local, national, and international resource providers to improve infrastructural capacity, support research and share best practice.
To enhance capacities of members and other stakeholders for sustainable management and use of East African Living Lakes resources.
To promote and/or undertake research for stock and inventory on various issues pertaining to the sustainable use and management of the East African Living Lakes and their resources.
To facilitate the conflict resolution process among competing users of the Living Lakes resources in East Africa.

So far, the East African Living Lakes Network has attracted NGOs and CBOs from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. Over 16 lakes have been fully analyzed and more lakes are being studied and analyzed. The challenge however lies in building the capacity of member organizations to articulate and appreciate transboundary water management issues, sustainable natural resources utilization and ability to effectively lobby for sound policy frameworks.

During the next two years of the East African Living Lakes Network, we will focus on policy influencing, improvement in our communication strategy, promoting innovative solutions through facilitation of good practices tied to the contentious issues affecting our living lakes in the region through trainings, exchange visits among NGOs, CBOs, private sector and schools among other key relevant players.