In the lush green hills of Rwanda’s Volcanoes Region, an inspiring transformation is taking place. Rwanda is leveraging its abundant natural resources to create jobs, generate revenue, and build resilience to climate change through the *Volcanoes Community Resilience Project, financed by the *World Bank, IDA, PROGREEN, and the GEF.
In a region where over 1.4 million people rely on agriculture, climate change and population growth are straining infrastructure and livelihoods. Loss of topsoil has impacted crop productivity and increased flooding incidents. As farming activities encroach on biodiverse forests, human-wildlife conflict has become a significant issue.
Mukesimana Chantal, a resident near Volcanoes National Park, describes the challenges: “People here do not sleep indoors at night. They sleep outside to protect their crops. During the day they are also up chasing monkeys away, because they destroy and eat the crops that we should be eating.”
The Volcanoes Community Resilience Project aims to foster a harmonious future for both the community and the environment. The project focuses on enhancing livelihoods through early warning systems, climate-smart agriculture, slope stabilization, and erosion control. These efforts aim to increase agricultural productivity, commercialization opportunities, and protect infrastructure like schools and homes.
Support for Volcanoes National Park, home to the iconic mountain gorillas, is a key component of the project. By safeguarding the gorillas’ habitat, the initiative bolsters ecotourism—a vital revenue source for the government and local communities. Increased habitat can support a larger gorilla population, attracting more tourists and benefiting local businesses such as restaurants, transport companies, and handicraft sellers.
Restoration efforts will create buffer zones to reduce animal encroachment into villages, improving climate resilience. Increased vegetation cover will prevent erosion and enhance downstream water quality.
Prosper Uwingeli, Chief Park Warden of Volcanoes National Park, explains the project’s broader impact: “We’re building smart villages with services, decent housing, and infrastructure, ensuring that these communities, who have done a lot to support conservation, can continue to be our partners in this journey for conservation and livelihoods—for them, and for future generations.”
As the project progresses, it aims to ensure that Rwanda’s natural treasures benefit the country today and for generations to come.