About IDF

To view a powerpoint of IDF please click here: What is IDF? A Powerpoint Presentation

IDF was founded by a group of friends in January 1994 (it was also legalized in that year) in Bamenda. They realized that many funders focused solely on field work as a factor of development success and ignored the importance of organizational management and governance.  Although, IDF started out with management training programs, IDF decided to participate more in project development and supervision based on its reputation for being well governed and managed.

Our Mission

To empower male and female population of the North West Region to be able to take part actively and democratically in the development of their community socially and economically with guiding principles of tea work, quality, equity and social justice.

Our Vision

To reduce inequality and marginalization among the male and female population

Our Goals

To contribute to the creation of conditions that can permit marginalized and vulnerable populations to regain their dignity and to ameliorate their living conditions.

Specific Objectives

• Promotion of solidarity in the defense of the rights and in the economy of the marginalized male and female population.
• Implementation of activities that can contribute to the amelioration of the sanitary, social, economic and environmental wellbeing of the target populations.
• Promotions of the civil society organizations in the management of public policy.

Area of Intervention

Primarily in the North West Region and focussing on the Mezam, Menchum and Bui Divisions. IDF’s head office is located in Bamenda.

Working Language

We are comfortable working in the following languages:

• English
• French
• Pidgin

Recognition of our Work

IDF has been recognized by Ministries in the Cameroonian Government, other non-governmental organizations and the media for its work. Please visit the Recognition page for additional details and downloads.

Our Team

IDF is managed by its founder, Oussematou Dameni, who is supported by a Board of Directors and five staff members.  The staff are responsible for tasks such as managing existing programs, developing new programs, managing the volunteers, providing support and training to the volunteers, carrying out research for future projects, and monitoring and evaluating existing projects.

IDF Products and Services

• Social Services
• Economic Services
• Lobby and Advocacy

Community Volunteers

IDF works with 28 local community volunteers and 4 community relay agents who support the home-based care program as well as its orphan and vulnerable children program.  IDF also works closely with community development associations in its local economic development projects.

International Volunteers

IDF has a 5 year partnership with VSO who provide short-term and long-term volunteers to help with the organizational development process, through capacity building with IDF staff/volunteers,  as well as program/project development.  IDF has also benefited from short term volunteers thanks to Canadian Executive Services Overseas (CESO) and the German Development Organization DED.

Collaboration

MINISTRY of Small and Medium Size Enterprises and Craft (MINPMESA), Ministry of Public Health, MINISTRY of Social Affairs,

MINISTRY of Housing and  Urban Development, MINISTRY OF Employment and Vocational Training, Voluntary Services Oversees, PROOSC, PACEF, WATER ACADEMY, NWADO. Nkwasi quarter, TRANSFAGRI

Our Partners

Activities Realized

• Community Health
• Healthy Agriculture,
• Local Economic Development,
• Child Rights, People With Disability Rights , People Living With HIV/AIDS Rights, Women and girls Empowerment, Capacity building of saving and loans cooperatives and Lobby and Advocacy for very and neglected vulnerable groups.

Difficulties

Finding sustainable sources of resources Lack of an appropriate vehicle for fieldwork ,

Risky Environment.

Targeted Population

People, particularly women and girls, living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA); Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC); People With Disability ; Village and quarter development associations (VDA); Savings/loans and farmer cooperatives; Various types of groups/associations; Single Adolescent Mothers (SAM)

Source of Resources

MATERIAL RESOURCES

 Membership/annual dues Income Generating Activity Services rendered by staff and board members Grants and subsidies Support from individuals

FINANCIAL RESOURCES

 Registration of members Annual due Services rendered to members and workers Donations Grants and Subvention.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Hired staff , International and local community volunteers ,Board members , Consultants

• Social Services
• Economic Services
• Lobby and Advocacy

Approach

Participatory Action Research

coupled with systemic approach and collaboration with  development  actors.

Way Forward

• Develop and implement a resource mobilization strategy to ensure the sustainability of IDF
• Search for funding to implement IDF’s plan to build a safe space Build IDF’s understanding and ability to carry out lobbying and advocacy and to mobilize others to join IDF
• To further develop IDF’s M&E system to ensure quality analysis Develop and strengthen IDF’s partnership with councils
• Continue to market IDF in Cameroon and abroad
• More entrepreneurship training to women with disability
• Update the Website and prepare a good communication plan

Wish List

• Vehicles to facilitate IDF’s field work
• Scholarships for Single Adolescent Mothers
• Construction of a safe space and abig  hall
• Expansion of existing programs
• Increase scope of health programs to include health promotion
• Continue work on birth certificates lobbying
• Provide soft loans and entrepreneurship capacity  to People  with HIV and Disability.
• Train community volunteers on disability mainstreaming.