Jamaa is a Swahili word meaning community. Jamaa Resource Initiatives is thus a civil society organization advocating for communal participation and management of resources from resource rich communities. They work to explore the idea of self-reliance and community-led and resourced development. Jamaa Resource Initiatives has come into existence by understanding the need to reduce dependence on foreign aid. The work involves research, focused discussion, and debate on sustainability of development efforts by stakeholders throughout Africa.
Jamaa Resource Initiative’s distinctive niche is based on one of the greatest challenges that confront the civil society sector. That of raising adequate resources to support development work. Jamaa Resource Initiative promotes and facilitates collaborative links within and among communities, individuals, and local businesses to increase efforts in pooling resources together from various local sources.