Based in Seoul, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is an intergovernmental organization founded to support and promote a model of economic growth known as “green growth”, which targets key aspects of economic performance such a poverty reduction, job creation, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. GGGI works with countries around the world, building their capacity and working collaboratively on green growth policies that can impact the lives of millions. The organization partners with countries, multilateral institutions, government bodies, and private sector to help build economies that grow strongly and are more efficient and sustainable in the use of natural resources, less carbon intensive, and more resilient to climate change.

GGGI has a diverse portfolio of programs in developing countries around the world. These in-country programs, together with global products and services, focus on delivering results through an integrated approach of evidence-based green growth planning and implementation aligned to countries’ development priorities. The organization also focuses on knowledge development and management activities which build a strong theoretical and empirical basis for green growth, while providing concrete options and guidance for policymakers; as well as building the conditions for public and private green infrastructure investments.

GGGI, hosted in Uganda by the Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development (MOFPED), working together with its government and Non-government partners and the European Union (EU) and have commenced the implementation of a 3-year project titled “Greening Uganda’s Urbanization and Industrialization”.

There is clear evidence that sustained economic growth is a major driver of poverty reduction and human development. Over the past decades, rapid economic growth has pulled more than 600 million people out of poverty and improved their quality of life. With about 900 million people worldwide still trapped in extreme poverty, the growth imperative remains strong, especially in developing nations. However, sustaining economic growth with the incumbent model is a serious concern. Growth came at the expense of unsustainable use of natural resources and massive negative impacts on the environment, leading to dangerous air pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change.

Green growth is a development approach that seeks to deliver economic growth that is both environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive. It seeks opportunities for economic growth that are low-carbon and climate resilient, prevent or remediate pollution, maintain healthy and productive ecosystems, and create green jobs, reduce poverty and enhance social inclusion. Green growth aims at multiple objectives in economic, environmental and social dimensions, and recognizes that issues are inter-related, and development is specific to culture and context. Thus, an integrated approach, long-term thinking and local solutions with a global view are key aspects of the green growth approach.

While Uganda actively pursues rapid economic growth, to attain the ambition of becoming an upper middle-income country by 2040, the Government of Uganda increasingly recognizes the need to integrate multiple aspects of natural and social well-being within its economic development goals and plans. This has been reflected in the Uganda Green Growth Development Strategy 2017/18 – 2030/31 and its implementation roadmap that were launched in November 2017, supported by GGGI (and others).

In line with EU’s Inclusive Green Economy Program that is promoting a paradigm shift which better acknowledges the economic opportunities that ‘green’ policies, markets and business practices can deliver, the proposed project will support Uganda in transitioning towards a green growth pathway which will facilitate sustainable green investments (public and private) at national and subnational level as well as increased employment.

The “Greening Uganda’s Urbanization and Industrialization” project (hereafter called the “Project”) impact objective is therefore: “Uganda achieves strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth”. The Uganda Vision 2040 specifically highlights Industrialization and urbanization as key focal areas as it envisions that 60% of Ugandans will live in urban areas by 2040. Therefore, the project is aligned with these key sectors, and the impact will be delivered through linked outcomes defined as following:

• Outcome 1: Green City Development is pursued and demonstrated in four Secondary Cities
• Outcome 2: Green Industrialization is pursued and demonstrated at four locations
• Outcome 3: Efficient and effective waste management is pursued and demonstrated
• Outcome 4: Green Growth integrated into the National Development Plan’s planning and budgeting

The project takes advantage of GGGI Uganda country program’s achievements so far and established relationship with key government partners. Moreover, it is also complemented by GGGI’s ongoing efforts on mainstreaming green growth and green city development in the country.