Access to justice, accountable institutions, peaceful and inclusive societies.
DEC’s vision-“a society with equitable opportunities for sustainable development” relates directly to the SDG16 that “envisages peaceful and inclusive societies based on respect for human rights, the rule of law, good governance at all levels, and transparent, effective and accountable institutions”. The vision also has an undertone in the SDG5- “achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”- which transcends all of DEC’s thematic sectors (economic empowerment (livelihoods), education, health, environment, and good governance).

How this works?
Existing community structures, are empowered through capacity building and supported on persistent advocacy strategies to hold public officials accountable and for public officials to be aware and alive to their responsibilities; and for citizens to become more responsive, active and knowledgeable in civic duties, leadership and decision-making processes. Citizens are able to seek and acquire information and actualize fundamental rights, and seek justice without conflict thereby reducing violence, violence-related losses in lives and property and yielding more peaceful, just and accountable societies.

Sustainable management of energy, water & sanitation.
DEC works with rural communities to achieve access to sanitation and the long term sustainability of resources and our environment. This is in tandem with the SDGs 6- “…availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”; 7- “…access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all”; & 13- “take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”.

How this works?
working with community structures such as water management committees, environment protection committees, and or sanitation committees, DEC awakens communities to the reality of water and environmental degradation and pollution, climate change and its impact on health. The committees with support from the community drive the process of ensuring toilet adoption, construction and utilization towards attaining Open-Defecation-Free (ODF) communities. The committees also assume the management of community water points for sustainability. The community members’ capacity is built on raising plant nurseries and plant management to raise community plant nurseries and participate in tree planting campaigns, joining the battle against desertification and the effects of climate change. In furtherance of the climate change battle, communities are introduced to energy efficient stoves that are capable of reducing firewood consumption by 80%.

Access to finance is a fundamental index for determining the poverty status of a population. It is critical to achieving socio-economic enhancement and to “end poverty in all its forms everywhere” – SDG1. Through microcredit, DEC has provided access to finance, financial services and financial inclusion to, especially the unserved and underserved persons and communities.
DEC has served over 300,000 women, groups; and functioned as a financial service provider to organizations and government agencies including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Bank of Agriculture (BoA) and the Bank of Industries (BoI).

How this works? “Save to Produce”
DEC’s fundamental ideology imparted on beneficiaries encourages nurturing a savings culture for posterity. DEC has a wide range of savings products for ease and convenience of the beneficiary. Through savings, a person is able to grow a capital base for subsistence and enterprise use and avoid unnecessary borrowing- this is financial independence.
DEC supports small start-ups and encourages women working in groups of 10-25 members. These small groups are self-help groups (SHG) with the common ideas of association and leadership. Members of the groups have access to credit facilities to start-up or boost new or existing enterprises respectively.
Apex organizations such as cooperatives are also supported to provide financial services to their members.
DEC continues to develop dynamic products and solutions to meet peculiar business needs such as micro, small entrepreneur, small & medium enterprise (SME), on-lending, home asset, housing, and agricultural loans.
All surplus generated at the end of a financial period is ploughed back into the social program to accommodate more beneficiaries.