Rural Development Inter-diocesan Service (RDIS) is leading a transformative landscape restoration initiative aimed at revitalizing the Lake Kivu Basin in Nyamasheke and Rusizi districts. This ambitious project seeks to restore 860 hectares of degraded land by planting 377,000 trees by the end of 2025, with 320,450 maturation and ecosystem recovery targeted for 2029. To date, 211,293 trees representing 56% of the annual planting target have been successfully established across six restoration sites: Bweyeye, Gihombo, Kanjongo, Kirimbi, Kamembe, and Nzahaha. These seedlings are thriving, with an average survival rate of 82.5%, contributing to watershed protection, soil fertility enhancement, and the regeneration of local ecosystems.
Central to the project’s success is the deep engagement of local communities. The initiative has already generated 303 employment opportunities, exceeding the original 2029 target by more than 200%, with 61% of recent hires being women and nearly 70% youth. Local volunteers, farmers’ cooperatives, and sector leaders have been integral to the project, participating in planting, maintenance, and protection of restoration sites. Communities have embraced native species such as Ficus thonningii (Umuvumu), previously underutilized, recognizing their essential role in controlling erosion and improving soil health.
Six thriving nurseries now house over 249,000 seedlings, surpassing annual production targets and ensuring a reliable supply for upcoming planting seasons. These nurseries also provide income-generating opportunities for local residents through nursery management, manure supply, and other supportive services. Despite challenges including drought, grazing pressures, and occasional seedling theft, RDIS maintains high survival rates through regular maintenance, two rounds of weeding, community patrols, and targeted replacement planting, with local leaders actively safeguarding restoration areas and enforcing protective measures.
The project delivers tangible benefits to communities beyond environmental restoration. Over the past six months alone, 72 community members have directly benefited, with more than 300 households gaining indirect advantages. Farmers receive seedlings to prevent soil erosion and improve productivity, while women leverage manure and improved cookstoves to enrich soils and reduce firewood consumption. Local residents also earn income from nursery labor and land leasing, fostering broader socio-economic resilience.
This initiative is made possible through the strategic partnership and sponsorship of TerraFund for AFR100(https://www.africa.terramatch.org). TerraFund for AFR 100 invests in locally led restoration projects across Africa, focusing on key landscapes like the Lake Kivu and Rusizi River Basin. Through its second funding cohort, TerraFund allocated $17.8 million to 92 organizations, including RDIS, enabling them to scale restoration efforts, strengthen community engagement, and advance sustainable land management practices.
By the end of 2025, RDIS plans to plant an additional 249,000 trees, replace any lost seedlings, and further involve women and youth in training on sustainable agriculture and clean energy initiatives. With each tree planted, the project moves Rwanda closer to a greener, more resilient future, demonstrating how ecological restoration and community development can grow hand in hand, strengthening both landscapes and livelihoods.
Sample photos
