About Us | SHADE NGO - Our Story & Mission

Our Story

Discover the origins and journey of SHADE NGO in Sierra Leone.

Our Background

The Sustainable Human and Environmental Development Agency (SHADE) was established on January 1, 2016, to continue community forestry, climate change, and sustainable land management initiatives started by Bioclimate/West Africa (BWA) under the USAID-funded STEWARD project (2012–2016) in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia.

Initially registered as BWA (Reg. no. NNGO/083, SLANGO Reg. no. 1940), it was renamed SHADE after the project ended. SHADE inherited assets, including vehicles, motorbikes, camera traps, and digital equipment, to support ongoing community efforts.

Since 2017, SHADE has sustained work in Tambaka Chiefdom, Karene District, using its own revenue. We are currently seeking partners to develop the Sustainable Assisted Natural Regeneration, Reforestation, and Agroforestry Initiative (SANNRAI) for 30-year carbon financing.

Learn more about SANNRAI

SHADE's community forestry efforts in Sierra Leone

Our Vision & Mission

The guiding principles that drive our work every day.

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Our Vision

Transform the landscape, biodiversity, and humanity through sustainable land use practices and sustainable livelihoods.

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Our Mission

To transform communities, humanity, and biodiversity through community-led initiatives in community forestry, rehabilitation of degraded areas, education, economic empowerment, advocacy, sustainable livelihoods, and agroecological practices that improve living standards and the environment.

Our Focus Areas

Explore the core pillars of SHADE's work in sustainable development.

Community Forestry & Biodiversity Preservation

Protecting forests and wildlife through community-led conservation initiatives.

Sustainable Land Use

Promoting agroforestry and agroecological practices for long-term environmental health.

Environmental & Hygiene Practices

Improving sanitation and sustainable environmental management in rural communities.

Alternative Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment

Creating economic opportunities through sustainable businesses and microfinance.

Education & Capacity Development

Building knowledge and skills for sustainable development through training and advocacy.

Legal Status & Governance

Our official registration and compliance with Sierra Leone regulations.

Registration & Compliance

SHADE is registered with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (Reg. no. NNGO0065) and the Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (SLANGO).

To comply with local content and decentralization policies, SHADE is also registered with the Kenema, Western Area, Karene, and Kailahun District Councils. We collaborate with the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and other ministries to align with national development goals.

Ministry of Planning

Reg. no. NNGO0065

SLANGO

Registered Member

District Councils

Kenema, Western Area, Karene, Kailahun

Government Partners

Ministry of Environment, Agriculture & more

Our Approach & Impact

Learn how SHADE drives change and the results we've achieved since 2016.

Our Approach

SHADE is a non-religious, non-political NGO dedicated to community development, rights-based environmental campaigns, and inclusive land governance advocacy. Our work is built on three key pillars: community forestry, sustainable livelihoods, and education, with cross-cutting themes of gender and youth empowerment.

We engage with public and private sectors to enhance living standards and protect the environment through evidence-based interventions and community participation.

Our Impact Since 2016

Since its inception, SHADE has supported communities through initiatives like educational support for rural students excelling in National Primary School and Basic Education Certificate exams, women's savings and loan schemes, and capacity building in cacao and coffee cultivation.

In 2017, SHADE partnered with the Sierra Leone Poverty Alleviation Agency to implement UNICEF-funded nutrition programs addressing Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM), Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), and Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM).

25+

Communities Served

500+

Women Empowered

10,000+

Trees Planted

5

Districts Registered

SHADE NGO

About SHADE NGO