Today, the Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA) presented a cutting-edge mind map during a steering committee meeting at the Kigali Mariot Hotel. The focus was on discussing milestones achieved in the protection and restoration of ecosystems and drawing a resolute plan to enrich biodiversity in Eastern Rwanda.

Rwanda committed in 2011 to restore two million hectares of land by 2030 under the Bonn Challenge. However, the Eastern Province faces significant challenges in forest restoration, with afforestation rates notably lower than the national average.

In a concerted effort to combat rampant deforestation and ecological imbalances in Rwanda's Eastern Province, the Rwanda Forestry Authority, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and key partners including IUCN and Enabel, has revitalized the ambitious "Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change through Enhanced Community-Based Biodiversity Conservation in the Eastern Province of Rwanda" (COMBIO) project. This initiative spans seven districts within the province, aiming to restore degraded landscapes and promote sustainable livelihoods.

Speaking at the meeting, Martina Fors Mohlin, Head of Development and Cooperation at the Swedish Embassy in Rwanda, commended the steadfast endeavors and dedication of the Rwanda Forestry Authority and various partners to fostering biodiversity restoration and conservation. This includes initiatives such as the establishment of biodiversity sanctuaries and opting to plant native tree species.

"By nurturing biodiversity sanctuaries and embracing native tree species, we are not just conserving nature; we are safeguarding the future harmony of ecosystems and communities," she said.

The primary objective of the COMBIO project is to mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts by restoring biodiversity and ecosystems through community engagement, and to foster green economy development across protected and productive landscapes in the region.

Since its inception in December 2021, the COMBIO project has made significant strides towards its goals. The most recent Project Steering Committee meeting, held on November 30, 2023, marked a pivotal moment in its implementation phase.

About the COMBIO Project

The Ministry of Environment and the Swedish Government have signed a partnership agreement to build the resilience of communities living in Rwanda’s Eastern Province to the impacts of climate change through the COMBIO Project. This partnership supports a project aimed at reducing vulnerability to climate change through community-based biodiversity restoration and conservation. The COMBIO Project is a joint effort led by the Ministry of Environment with implementation support from the Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA), The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and Enabel.

The project spans the districts of Kayonza, Nyagatare, Gatsibo, Kirehe, Ngoma, Bugesera, and Rwamagana in the Eastern Province, and will run for six years from December 2021 to December 2027. Restoration interventions of degraded lands and vulnerable ecosystems have already been implemented across various locations in Rwanda to address climate change impacts on ecosystems. Further restoration activities are needed to assist in the recovery of degraded ecosystems, sustain biodiversity, and re-establish ecological functions, with a focus on increasing biodiversity in restored landscapes. These activities will also contribute to improving community livelihoods by adopting appropriate measures to mitigate climate change impacts, thereby supporting biodiversity conservation and enhancing ecosystem services.