Client: FONERWA, funded by Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA)
The final evaluation of the SIDA funding agreement activities under the project “Institutional Support to FONERWA” was conducted by the Rwanda Green Fund, which received SIDA funding from 2018 to 2022. This funding aimed to support Rwanda in implementing its national priorities while promoting Green Growth and addressing Climate Change through the FONERWA project funding scheme. The investment is designed to enhance community resilience to climate change, focusing on economic empowerment, job creation, and gender equality, thereby aligning with the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and National Adaptation Plan (NAP) targets. SIDA's overarching goal is to improve living conditions for those in poverty and oppression, recognizing that these populations are disproportionately affected by environmental degradation and climate change. The funding also emphasizes the empowerment of women and girls, enabling them to realize their potential and contribute to social development. Under this initiative, the 9th and 10th calls for proposals were launched to finance mitigation and adaptation projects. The 9th call targeted public institutions, resulting in four projects led by the Rwanda Agriculture Board in collaboration with various partners. The 10th call focused on civil society organizations (CSOs), leading to six projects by organizations such as Save Generation Organization and Rwanda Development Organization. The evaluation, conducted from November 2022 to March 2023 by RCID, aimed to assess the implementation process and the extent to which the program objectives were achieved. It sought to draw lessons from the findings to inform SIDA and FONERWA on improving future interventions, ensuring that the lessons learned contribute to more effective climate resilience strategies in Rwanda.
Client: TROCAIRE Rwanda, funded by Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA)
The project titled “Community Led Planning and Management for Biodiversity Protection and Resilient Communities in Southern Rwanda,” implemented by Trócaire in partnership with UNICOOPAGI, BIOCOOR, and ICRAF, aims to empower rural communities around Nyungwe National Park (NNP) to sustainably manage their land and natural resources. Funded by Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA) and running from 2020 to 2024, the project combines expertise in livelihood, biodiversity, and agroecology with community knowledge and acceptance, fostering a unique partnership approach. The evaluation conducted by the Regional Research Centre for Integrated Development assesses both achieved and unachieved results, providing insights into the degree to which desired outcomes have been met. It highlights unexpected outcomes and challenges faced during implementation, offering key lessons for future initiatives. This comprehensive evaluation not only reflects on the project's impact but also emphasizes the importance of a gender-responsive approach in fostering resilient and sustainable communities in the region. A strong gendered focus is integral to the project, with at least 60% of participants being women and girls. The initiative specifically targets vulnerable and marginalized groups within the rural communities surrounding NNP and its buffer zone, ensuring that interventions are inclusive of women, youth, and people with disabilities.
Client: World Vision Rwanda, funded by Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA)
The Mid-Term Evaluation of World Vision’s Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) for Improved Livelihoods Project in Rwanda is focused on enhancing food security and livelihoods for 11,400 smallholder farmers and their families, totaling 57,800 beneficiaries, by 2022. In collaboration with the Regreening Africa and FLR projects, World Vision Rwanda has committed to planting 7,695,300 trees during the 2020/21 tree-planting season to combat climate change and improve livelihoods. This initiative, funded by the European Union and the Australian Government, aims to support farmers in achieving better food and nutritional security, climate resilience, and restored ecosystem services through evergreen agriculture, which integrates trees into crop and pasture lands. In alignment with the national theme of ‘Forests for Community Livelihood and Sustainable Development,’ World Vision organized a tree-planting event in Nyagatare District to raise awareness about land degradation and the importance of restoration initiatives. The project spans the districts of Gatsibo, Nyagatare, Kayonza, and Bugesera, focusing on planting diverse tree species to meet various household needs, including fruits, fodder, and firewood. In 2020, RCID was contracted to conduct the mid-term evaluation, which aims to identify challenges faced by the project, assess the relevance and effectiveness of implementation strategies, and document lessons learned. This evaluation will also enhance understanding of gendered barriers and opportunities within the target population, informing the design of gender-responsive interventions for the project's remaining years.
Client: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), supported by GIZ/BMZ
Africa (AREECA) Project, conducted by RCID in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and supported by GIZ/BMZ, is centered on large-scale forest landscape restoration in Rwanda's Kirehe and Nyagatare districts. This comprehensive study, undertaken from October 2021 to April 2022, addresses five critical components: stakeholder mapping and engagement, an analysis of the current forest landscape situation, identification of forest landscape restoration (FLR) opportunities, evaluation of enabling conditions for FLR, and the establishment of a performance monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework. To achieve these objectives, the study employs geospatial modeling and the Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM), which allows for a thorough assessment of biophysical, governance, socio-economic factors, and ecosystem services. Data collection focuses on various vegetation types, soil characteristics, and overall ecosystem health, with remote sensing data validated through ground-truth information. The study utilizes classification algorithms to categorize land cover types, including degraded lands, and conducts detailed ecosystem mapping and change detection analysis. The insights gained from this study are intended to guide strategic interventions aimed at enhancing biodiversity, improving climate resilience, and supporting local livelihoods. Ultimately, the findings contributed to sustainable forest management and restoration efforts, fostering a healthier ecosystem in the region and promoting long-term environmental sustainability.
Client: SOS, funded by Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
SOS Rwanda received funds from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), focused on environmental protection through agroforestry and fruit tree initiatives aimed at reducing malnutrition among poor families in Rwanda. From May to October 2015, RCID produced and distributed 50,000 seedlings across three sectors in Gasabo district, Kigali City—Gatsata, Kacyiru, and Kinyinya. The species included Grevillea Robusta, Spathodea Campanulata, Casuarina Equisetifolia, Croton Megalocarpus, and fruit trees like Passiflora Edulis and Solanum Betaceum (Tamarillo). RCID’s role extended beyond seedling production to the verification of potential afforestation sites and selection of suitable tree varieties from government nurseries. The organization provided comprehensive support in implementing afforestation plans, encompassing cultivation, labor, technology, protection measures, and management strategies. The impact of this initiative was multifaceted: it contributed to environmental conservation, improved food security, and enhanced the livelihoods of local communities. The project promoted sustainable land use, increased biodiversity, and provided a reliable source of nutrition for vulnerable families. The findings from this study highlight the critical role of such interventions in mitigating environmental degradation and improving community resilience
Client: Rulindo District
The feasibility study on landscape rehabilitation for increased climate resilience in the BASE catchment of Rulindo district from August to October 2024 addresses urgent climate-related challenges faced by local communities. This study, covering ten sectors in Rulindo, focuses on rehabilitating the degraded BASE catchment to reduce vulnerability to climate change and enhance community resilience. Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, the study involved a sample of 490 participants, site visits, GIS analysis, Environmental Management Plans (EMPs), Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), and Environment and Social Management Plans (ESMP) and interviews with key stakeholders, including district officials, development partners, and farmer cooperatives. Key findings highlighted the need to improve livelihoods, strengthen adaptive capacities, and develop sustainable land use practices aligned with Rwanda’s NDC targets. The study provides a detailed assessment of environmental data, including land use patterns, erosion risks, and soil fertility, to understand the current state of degradation. Recommendations include implementing interventions for landscape rehabilitation. The study emphasizes empowering local communities through agroforestry, sustainable agriculture, and land management practices to achieve long-term climate resilience and sustainability in the BASE catchment area.
Client: Rwamagana District
This feasibility study, conducted by the Regional Research Centre for Integrated Development (RCID) from January to May 2024, aligns with Rwanda's climate change and green jobs initiatives by addressing the critical need for sustainable land use management technologies to combat climate change. The study aimed to enhance agricultural management practices that align with FONERWA's mandate to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and boost climate resilience. Using a mixed-methods approach, including quantitative and qualitative techniques, the study involved a literature review, questionnaires administered to 240 smallholder farmers, and Environmental Management Plans (EMPs), Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), and Environment and Social Management Plans (ESMP) intensive interviews with 43 key informants across various sectors. Conducted in Rubona, Mwulire, and Kibagiro. The study found that establishing terraces, irrigation systems, and greenhouses significantly improves soil conservation, water management, agricultural productivity, and livelihoods. Solar-powered irrigation systems were shown to provide reliable water supply and promote eco-friendly practices, while greenhouse farming supports year-round crop production, offering income opportunities for women and youth. Key recommendations include the implementation of these technologies to enhance community resilience, capacity building for local management, and fostering partnerships among stakeholders to ensure the sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems. These initiatives will address challenges such as erosion, water stress, food insecurity, and economic vulnerability in local communities.
Client: Faith Victory Associations (FVA), financed by African Development Bank (AfDB)
The Livelihood Restoration Plan (LRP) for the Burundi and Rwanda Integrated Development Program (BRIDEP) focuses on the Ngororero, Rutsiro, Musanze, and Rusizi districts, where two major roads are set to be constructed: the Ngororero-Nyacyinama-Musanze-Cyanika road (71 km) and the Kazabe-Rutsiro road (55.3 km). This initiative is supported by financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB), which has established a covenant with the Government of Rwanda (GoR) to ensure that the project adheres to national laws, policies, and the AfDB's environmental and social safeguard policies. Consequently, the LRP has been developed in alignment with the AfDB's Operational Safeguards requirements concerning involuntary resettlement. In 2023, the LRP was further implemented under the Rwanda-Burundi 220 kV Interconnection Project (BRIP) by the Energy Utility Corporation Limited (EUDCL). This program specifically aimed to assist communities impacted by land expropriation. To achieve this, RCID has been contracted by the Faith Victory Associations (FVA) in 2023, developed and translated various training modules to enhance the livelihoods of affected individuals. These modules covered essential topics such as Energy Improved Cooking Stoves Technologies, Market of Agricultural Products, Small Livestock and Fish Farming, Kitchen Gardening, Climate Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture, and Post-Harvest Handling and Storage. They were designed to provide community members with practical skills and knowledge to adapt to their new circumstances and improve their economic situations.