Piloting Multiple-Benefit Investment Packages through forest/landscape restoration and REDD+ in Rwanda for scaling up in Africa

Rwanda is a very densely populated country in which forest loss, soil erosion and a decline in biological diversity represent significant threats to sustainable development. The project funded forest and landscape restoration by bringing local governments and the private sector together to work on the development of innovative investment packages, which were deployed in the field and the results further disseminated. Relevant standards in the field of forest and landscape restoration and REDD+ were applied here, and the right conditions for investments in this field were also created. The packages were designed to produce positive social, economic and ecological effects and include measures that cut emissions while also providing many other benefits. This ensures products are attractive for the local and international private sector, simultaneously benefit the population and promote the assumption of responsibility by the partner government.

Project data

Countries: Rwanda
IKI funding: 4,159,451.40 €
Included preparation phase: 188,329.98 €
Duration: 06/2015 till 09/2020
Status: completed
Implementing organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) - Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office
Political Partner: Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) - Rwanda

Ministry of Lands and Forestry - Rwanda

Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA)
Implementing Partner: Rwanda Water and Forestry Authority

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State of implementation/results

Project completed.
The project supported the national forest cover and soil erosion control mapping exercises. Rwanda was found to have reached the goal of 30% forest cover though the forest productivity and species diversifications are still outstanding challenges to overcome. These are important milestones for the government as the country prepares to evaluate various achievements made in the decade ending 2020 and as part of the Vison 2020 reporting.
Support of the development of Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) technical packages, which were presented to the Minister of Environment in the Senior Management Meeting and were validated through a cross-sectoral taskforce in December 2019.
On March 31 2020, the FLR story map produced by IUCN in partnership with the government of Rwanda was published: iucn.maps.arcgis.com/…
Support of the print and dissemination of 50 copies of the booklet "Guidelines on seedlings production and tree planting" in Gicumbi District to increase and improve the skills of local technicians in forests planting and management.
Support of the design of a training hall that is constructed within the intension of supporting the National Tree Seed Center to improve the quality of their services. The training hall will be used to deliver trainings and host research meetings.
Support of the rehabilitation of 492 plots (totaling 200 hectares) of different species in the Ruhande arboretum. The main activities focused on the maintenance of seed sources and cleaning of firebreaks (roads) inside the arboretum.
The project contributed to the construction of a modern permanent nursery of 943 square meters, which will allow the National Tree Seed Center to supply seedlings of priority species to meet the demand for tree planting programs and train the actors involved in the tree-seed value chain on proper techniques for seedlings production.
Contribution to the training of 34 Forest Extension Officers in Gicumbi District in October 2019. The technicians in charge of forestry operating at sector level have been equipped with technical skills in tree nursery management, tree planting, forest management and the right way to deliver FLR extension services.
Contribution to the improvement of quality of seeds collected by the National Tree Seed Center through the appointment of the local technician to work day to day with staff and serve as a technical coach in seed handling. 812 kg of seeds collected between October and December 2019 have been inspected for quality assurance.
On 2 September 2020, the achievements of the project in Rwanda have been among the celebrated Bonn Challenge milestones during the launch of Restore Our Future. Over a 24-hour period, more than 24 nations have showcased how they have implemented FLR to boost ecological and human health and wellbeing. The full report can be accessed through the following link: www.bonnchallenge.org/…
The project supported the print and distribution of 50 copies of the national forest cover report, four national forest cover maps and 30 district forest cover maps to create more awareness regarding forest cover status and improve forest management planning.