Rwanda and Sweden signed a partnership to increase climate resilience in the eastern province
The Government of Rwanda and the Swedish Government have signed a partnership agreement to build resilience among communities living in Rwanda’s eastern province against the effects of climate change. The new partnership will support a project that will reduce vulnerability to climate change through community-based restoration and conservation of biodiversity.
The project, known as COMBIO, is a joint venture led by the Ministry of the Environment
implementation support from the Rwanda Forestry Authority, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Enabel, the Belgian Development Agency, institutions implementing the Transforming Eastern Province Through Adaptation (TREPA) project to create synergies.
“We can only achieve our Vision 2050 goal of being carbon neutral and climate resistant if
societies have the knowledge, skills and tools to adapt to a changing climate. This new one
The initiative will not only restore and promote biodiversity in Rwanda’s eastern province, but also provide incentives for farmers to be part of the solution by harnessing the power of nature. We are grateful for the support from the Swedish government and other partners, and look forward to working with communities in areas affected by climate change, such as drought, to make the project a success, says Rwanda’s Environment Minister Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya. .
The project aims to restore and maintain biodiversity in protected natural forests and establish new sanctuary areas for biodiversity. It will also integrate various native species into productive arable land and forests to improve the biodiversity of the ecosystem. It will also support farmers to develop viable nature-based value chains and businesses, and establish community-based payment for ecosystem services to reward farmers for promoting biodiversity and native species on their land. The unique and innovative initiative will also integrate biodiversity conservation into institutional and societal development strategies, programs and action plans.
“This collaboration has high potential with its focus on biodiversity and climate change. I am pleased to enter unknown terrain with key partners, not least to explore long-term financing solutions for biodiversity and strengthen the livelihoods of local communities together. The initiative is based on a local knowledge base and aims to benefit people living in the eastern province and set standards at the national level, “says Sweden’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Johanna Teague.
The project of 8,723,277.90 euros including 10.8% of the co-financing from the implementing partner. The project will be implemented in the districts of Kayonza, Nyagatare, Gatsibo, Kirehe, Ngoma, Bugesera and Rwamagana throughout the eastern province. The project will be implemented for six years from December 2021 to December 2027.