About us

1. WHAT IS PELUM ASSOCIATION?

 Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Association is a network of Civil Society Organizations / NGOs working with small-scale farmers in East, central and Southern Africa. The Association membership has grown from 25 pioneer members (in 1995) to over 230 members in 2010.  PELUM- Kenya is the Kenyan country chapter of the PELUM Association and has a membership of 38 member organizations.

 2. WHERE DOES PELUM OPERATE?

 PELUM Association operates in 10 countries of East, Central and Southern Africa:

a. Eastern Africa          Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda;

b. Central Africa          Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi,

c. Southern Africa        South Africa, Lesotho and Botswana

 3. PELUM ASSOCIATION VISION

 Communities in east, central and southern Africa become self-organized to make choices towards an improved quality of life that is socially, economically and ecologically sustainable.

 4. PELUM ASSOCIATION Mission:

Passionate about equity, people- driven development and integrity of creation, PELUM Association is working towards sustainable local community empowerment, food security and prosperity by facilitating networking and advocacy.

 5. WHAT DOES PELUM ASSOCATION DO?

1. Promotes participatory ecological land use and management practices in the East, Central and Southern region.
2. Builds the capacity of members and partners to respond appropriately to community needs as they work to empower the communities they work with.
3. Increases the visibility of the small-scale farmers.
4. Promotes sharing of information of development experiences, innovations, and best practices.
5. Strengthens linkages and collaboration through action learning among partners and members.
6. Lobbies (directly) for change and formulation of policies in favor of small scale farmers.
7. Produces development magazines (Ground-Up) and PELUM Bullet-ins
8. Promotes Seed Security and hence food security among small-scale farmers.
9. Promotes the use of indigenous food Programme
10. Promotes the mainstreaming of the Gender and HIV / AIDS in Agriculture Development Programme.
11. Offers Consultancy in Research and Development

6. THE VALUES OF PELUM ASSOCIATION

1. Promotes people-centered development.
2. Recognition & respect for indigenous knowledge, creativity & innovations.
3. Commitment to action, result, and impact.
4. Support for recognition of, equity and justice to small-scale farmers, Pastoralists and the landless.
5. Gender Sensitive Development.
6. Transparency, accountability and constructive self-criticism.
7. Commitment to partnership and through networking and collaboration.
8. Support for the struggle against exploitive practices especially those against small scale farmers.

7. THE STRUCTURES OF PELUM ASSOCIATION

7.1. Country Working Group (CWG)

The members in a country are called the Country Working Group. Presently PELUM-Kenya has 38 members of its CWG. PELUM-Kenya members are spread in the 6 of the 8 provinces of Kenya. It does not have members in Coast and North Eastern Provinces.

7.2 Country (National) Board

This is an advisory / governance body of PELUM at the Country level. PELUM-Kenya has a National Board of 8 including the Country Coordinator, who is the Secretary to the Boards and is also non-voting.

7.3 Country Desks (Offices)

This is where the activities of PELUM association are coordinated at the Country level. The Country Desk for PELUM in Kenya is based in Thika. The head of the Country Desk is called a Country Coordinator and is also the CEO for PELUM Association in that Country.  Presently PELUM-Kenya Country Desk (Office) has 10 full time staff members.

7.4 The Regional Desk

This is where the activities of PELUM association are coordinated at the regional level. The head of the Regional Desk is called a Secretary General. PELUM regional Desk is located in Lusaka, Zambia.

7.5 The Regional Board (made of Country Board Chairpersons)

The Country Board Chairpersons of the countries where PELUM-Kenya is operating make up the regional Board. They Country Board Chairpersons are also the Country Representatives for their respective Countries.

7.6 Triennial General Meeting (TGM)

This is the highest body of PELUM and meetings after every three years. The first TGM was held for PELUM was held in Kabwe, Zambia. The most recent TGM was held in Morogoro, Tanzania in 2008 and the next one will be held in Lesotho 2011.