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Strategic Pillars, Core Values & Guiding Principles

EJF's work is organized around three strategic pillars that guide our advocacy, programs, and partnerships toward achieving economic, climate, social, and digital justice.

Our Strategic Pillars

The foundation of our mission rests on four key pillars that guide our work towards achieving comprehensive justice and equality.

Our Pillars

1. climate & Resource Justice

focus-areas:

    • Lobbying and advocating for Natural Resources Benefit-Sharing Legislation covering:
      • Minerals & Extractives (gold, titanium, gemstones, rare earths)
      • Marine & Coastal Resources (fisheries, ports, blue economy assets)
      • Water Resources (rivers, lakes, underground aquifers)
      • Renewable Energy (wind, solar, natural gas)
      • Wildlife & Conservation Areas (national parks, forests, biodiversity zones)
    • Sustainable mining, renewable energy & conservation economies creating climate-resilient jobs.
    • Strengthening climate resilience in arid, semi-arid, and coastal regions.
    • Debt-for-Climate Swaps: converting debt repayments into investments in:
      • Reforestation, renewable energy, and sustainable livelihoods in counties like Taita-Taveta and Marsabit.
      • Climate-smart agriculture, carbon farming & circular economy enterprises led by youth & women.
      • Ecosystem restoration, clean water, & biodiversity protection.
    • Direct climate finance flows to counties and community organizations.
    • People’s Climate Dividend ensuring communities protecting natural resources receive guaranteed benefits.

    💡 True climate justice ensures those protecting the planet are the first to benefit.

2.Democracy,digital Justice,leadership & devolution

  • Promoting simple, verifiable electronic voting systems for transparent elections.
  • Restructuring devolution to ensure lean, efficient, and development-focused county governments.
  • Expanding digital justice — bridging the digital divide, ensuring fair access to digital opportunities, and protecting citizens’ rights in the digital age.
  • Advocating for equitable and ethical Artificial Intelligence (AI) that serves humanity, protects the planet, and promotes equity, accountability, and sustainability.
  • Establishing a Leadership Academy for civic education, youth empowerment, and women’s leadership.
  • Advancing e-governance tools and civic tech innovations to enhance participation and transparency.

3.Global Advocacy & governance reforms

  • A UN Framework/Convention on Natural Resource Benefit-Sharing.
  • Reforms of international financial institutions (IMF, World Bank, WTO) to make global finance transparent, fair, and sustainable.
  • A UN Framework on Debt and Tax Justice to prevent exploitation and ensure responsible lending and borrowing.
  • UN Security Council reforms — granting Africa permanent seats with veto powers and ensuring grassroots communities have a voice in global decision-making.

Core Values

Equity & Social Justice
Transparency & Integrity
Inclusion
Sustainability
Collaboration
Digital Fairness

Guiding Principles

People-Centered Approach

Placing communities at the center of our work, ensuring their voices, needs, and aspirations drive our interventions and solutions.

Evidence-Based Advocacy

Grounding our work in rigorous research, data analysis, and contextual understanding to develop effective, targeted solutions.

Partnership & Collaboration

Working with diverse stakeholders including government, civil society, private sector, and communities to leverage collective expertise and resources.

Local Context Sensitivity

Adapting approaches to specific regional needs, cultural contexts, and local realities while maintaining our core principles.

Long-Term Sustainability

Building lasting solutions, not quick fixes, that create enduring positive change for current and future generations.

Innovation & Adaptation

Embracing creative approaches and adapting to changing contexts while remaining true to our mission and values.

Integrated Approach

Our three pillars are interconnected and mutually reinforcing. We believe that sustainable change requires addressing economic, governance, and social issues simultaneously through an integrated approach that recognizes their complex interrelationships.

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Economic Justice

Fair distribution of resources and opportunities

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Governance Justice

Accountable and participatory institutions

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Social & Climate Justice

Inclusive and sustainable communities

Helpful Resources

Access our latest publications, research papers, and educational materials to learn more about economic justice.

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Publications

Download our latest research papers, policy briefs, and annual reports.

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Media Resources

Access photos, videos, and media kits for press and partners.

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Data & Research

Explore our data visualizations and research findings.