AVA Research Centre (ARC)

The AVA Research Centre (ARC) is a research arm of the African Volunteers Association, a Ugandan non-profit established in 2001 focused on promoting social and environmental justice. It concentrates on plant biodiversity, traditional medicine, and agricultural research, aiming to enhance food security and sustainable development through community-based initiatives. 

Key aspects of the AVA Research Centre (ARC) include:

• Mission: To promote sustainable development, environmental management, and social justice, particularly through the revalorization of African science and knowledge.
• Focus Areas: Research on plant biodiversity, conservation, traditional medicine, and ecological agriculture.
• Structure: It operates under the African Volunteers Association (AVA), which also includes the Institute for Management of Natural Resources (IMNARE) and the African School of Open Education (ASOE).
• Activities: The organization conducts community education on health, trains youth, and supports food security initiatives.
• Partnerships: Collaborates with local organizations, including the National Forest Authority on forest restoration and Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). 

The organization is governed by a board led by chairperson Prof. Peter Kanyandago