Norwegian Church Aid has operated programmes in Southern Africa since 1994. Originally, Norwegian Church Aid’s activities in the area were rooted in the fight for justice and equality through the anti-apartheid struggle.
Since our work in the region began, many social and political changes have occurred and the region has experienced strong economic growth. But the unjust distribution of resources and lack of policies safeguarding the poor have led to continued poverty and marginalisation in the region.
NCA Southern Africa is therefore working in a new and exciting way, with a focus on strengthening civil society. From 1st January 2011, we will be working under a new policy and advocacy mandate: to strengthen our partners' ability to engage in advocacy and influence public policy. We will work especially closely with faith-based organisations.
Our office in Pretoria, South Africa covers advocacy programmes in South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. In addition, this office coordinates processes for advocacy work with regional and international institutions, as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and African Union (AU).
Our work
Economic justice: Norwegian Church Aid works through partners to improve people's access to basic public services by promoting budget monitoring and tracking of public expenditures. We are working to ensure that national legislation ensures public revenues and the equitable distribution of resources. The region is rich in natural resources, and Norwegian Church Aid challenges extractive industries by requiring transparency, accountable governance and a focus on the environmental aspects of the business. Norwegian Church Aid and our partners are engaged in projects that strengthen rights-holders’ financial situation and enable them to participate in democratic processes.
Gender justice: Norwegian Church Aid is working for equal rights for women and men. We are working particularly to strengthen and mobilise women in order to ensure that they participate in governance structures where decisions are taken. Norwegian Church Aid also addresses gender-based violence as a structural issue within the church and in society in general.
Climate justice: Increasing vulnerability to the effects of climate change, such as flooding and drought, are apparent throughout the region. Norwegian Church Aid is working to increase people’s ability to influence national and international policies in the struggle against climate change, to advocate for climate change adaptation and mitigation and to ensure that energy policies will also benefit the poor.
Coordination through the ACT Alliance
Norwegian Church Aid works with the regional ACT Forum for Southern Africa, as well as country Forums in Zimbabwe and Mozambique. In addition, it is Norwegian Church Aid’s goal to establish a regional ACT Forum for political influence in order to coordinate advocacy measures with ACT members of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).