TRI DRC

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Restoration Initiative (TRI) addressed severe forest degradation in the Walungu territory of South Kivu Province. This region, once teeming with rich forest cover and biodiversity, has been degraded due to unsustainable agricultural practices and overexploitation of timber resources. Furthermore, these forests serve as one of the last remaining habitats for the endangered Eastern Lowland Gorilla. TRI’s project focused on agroforestry, reforestation, and erosion control to restore these degraded landscapes, relying heavily on the guidance of indigenous knowledge to inform decisions and restoration strategies. 

Restoration and Upliftment 

TRI DRC achieved notable progress in restoration and reforestation throughout its course, bringing 2,163 hectares of land under restoration and 3,145 hectares of land under improved management, subsequently restoring the value of essential ecosystem services including soil stabilization, water retention, and increased biodiversity. The project worked closely with the indigenous communities and local engagement was central to the project’s prosperity. A total of 57,086 direct beneficiaries were impacted by TRI DRC, through upskilling, the diversification of income-generating activities, and playing pivotal roles in the restoration process. The meticulous process of selecting suitable restoration species was guided by traditional knowledge courtesy of specific locals. 

One of the innovative practices of the TRI project was working through the local Dimitra Clubs to increase their reach in communities . These clubs raise awareness and mobilize both communities and local authorities around environmental issues and the need to implement restoration. Dimitra Clubs contribute to reawakening community dynamics around restoration and strengthen inclusive community engagement, collective action, and gender equality.… Read the rest

The Restoration Initiative (TRI) in DRC is working to bring positive change, by helping stakeholders to design and put into place restoration interventions that meet the needs of local communities and landscapes.  

One way the TRI project in DRC is working is by supporting the development of a Provincial Forest and Landscape Restoration Strategy. This strategy lays out priority sites and approaches for restoration, including assisted natural regeneration, agroforestry, and protection of the watershed through anti soil-erosion plantings and other measures. 

Our project team interviewed a beneficiary of the TRI Project in Kashanja Village, located in Walungu Territory, a territory located within the South Kivu Province in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) 

Mwamiriza Angeline, a female member of a local development initiative in Kashanja village and a member of club Dimitra in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) tells her story. 

We work for the development of our communities through the planting and installation of nurseries for the production of seedlings of forest and agro-forestry species. One of our objectives through this program is the empowerment of rural women. In the context of environmental protection and with the technical support of our partners (FAO) and APES), our capacities were built on the production of tree seedlings”, said Angeline. 

She continued, “Our goal is to reforest the bare hills over there (pointing to the hills in the TRI project site), fertilise our soils, combat erosion, and produce wood / timbre products for our own needs.… Read the rest