From what we need… to what we already have.
At Kitega Community Centre, we have learned that real change does not begin with resources.
It begins with how people see themselves, their relationships, and what is already within their reach.
VICOBAPlus is a community-based approach that helps individuals and groups rediscover what they have and use it to build meaningful change in their own lives.
What VICOBAPlus Is
VICOBAPlus is not a savings scheme.
It is a mindset and facilitation approach that brings people together to:
- Reflect
- Connect
- Take action using what they already have
Through guided conversations and shared experiences, individuals begin to shift from:
- “What do I need?” To “What do I have?”
And together:
- “What do we have?” to “Look what we’ve built.”
In many communities, the starting point is often a sense of limitation waiting for support, funding, or opportunity from outside.
VICOBAPlus gently challenges this.
It creates space for people to recognise:
- Their own abilities
- The strength of their Communities
- The value of what already exists around them
From this shift, practical change begins.
Our Approach
VICOBAPlus is built on facilitation, not instruction.
We do not teach people what to do. We recognise that people are the experts of their own situation, and our role is to walk alongside, not direct.
We create space for people to think, share, and act together.
Groups meet regularly and engage in:
- Guided discussions
- Small group reflections
- Practical exercises
- Collective decision-making
This process builds:
- Trust
- Confidence
- Accountability
- Shared ownership
What Emerges
From these groups, we begin to see:
- Individuals starting small businesses
- Families working together differently
- Communities supporting one another
- People responding to local needs collectively
Some groups go on to:
- Support members in times of need
- Improve housing and livelihoods
- Contribute to education and health within their communities
What is important is that these actions are locally driven, not externally directed.
One clear pattern across VICOBAPlus is the strong participation of women.
In many communities, women are at the centre of these groups—showing consistency, supporting one another, and increasingly stepping into leadership within their groups and beyond.
We are seeing women not only grow in confidence, but also take a more active role in shaping their households—working alongside their spouses, making decisions together, and contributing to the well-being of their families.
As this happens, relationships within the home begin to shift, moving toward greater partnership, shared responsibility, and mutual respect.
As a result, VICOBAPlus naturally contributes to women’s empowerment not as a separate focus, but as something that grows out of participation, trust, and collective action.
More Than Livelihoods
While economic activity often grows from VICOBAPlus groups, this is not where it starts and not where it ends.
We are seeing:
- Restored confidence and self-belief
- Stronger relationships within families
- Greater collaboration within communities
- A growing sense of responsibility and contribution
Where It Is Working
VICOBAPlus began in Uganda and is now active in:
- Uganda
- Rwanda
- Tanzania
- Kenya
- Burundi
- Democratic Republic of Congo
Each context is different, but the foundation remains the same: people working with what they already have.
The Role of Facilitation
At the centre of VICOBAPlus are facilitators.
Their role is not to lead but to guide.
They:
- Create safe spaces for dialogue
- Encourage participation
- Support reflection and action
Over time, groups begin to lead themselves.
What We Are Seeing
- Increased confidence and self-reliance
- Growth of locally driven enterprises
- Stronger community relationships
- Practical solutions emerging from within communities
- Replication across different regions
The Journey Ahead
We are working to:
- Strengthen facilitator capacity
- Support emerging enterprises
- Deepen learning across regions
- Build connections between communities
- Share this approach with wider audiences