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Busiga, Burundi
2021 - 2024
Short description
To address interrelated and transnational root-causes of instability in the Great Lakes Region, this programme leverages blended finance to support joint peacebuilding and conservation interventions that target drivers of conflict and instability associated with the lack of protection of the Kibira Forest. This programme fosters an enabling environment for sustainable peace in the Kibira National Park by supporting the government in deploying a new force of Rangers/Eco-guards managed by the National Park Authority (OBPE), a REDD+ strategy aimed at reducing drivers of deforestation, accessing carbon market, providing alternative livelihood models that bring co-benefits to the communities, and fostering durable conservation and peace.
Main purpose
Biodiversity conservation / restoration,
Land restoration for increased soil fertility / reversal of land degradation,
Provision / protection / diversification of employment and livelihoods / poverty reduction,
Land tenure equality and security,
Reduced illegal resource exploitation / poaching,
Increasing community cohesion / community building,
Trust building between conflicting groups,
Demobilization, disarmament and reintegration of combatants,
Inclusion of indigenous people in forest management
Other expected benefits
Flood protection: redirection / drainage / infiltration of flood waters,
Climate change mitigation / capture of greenhouse gases,
Food security,
Protect / restore cultural, spiritual, or religious assets,
Gender equality,
Protection of forcibly displaced persons and returnees,
Strengthening indigenous culture
Conflict context
In the time span between 1990 and 1997, the Great Lakes Region became a locus of civil war. The Burundi 1993 crisis, the Rwanda Genocide of 1994, the overthrown of Mobutu Sese Seko in 1997, were followed by 15 years of regional instability and millions of dead. While conflicts in the region are multifaceted and interlocking, environmental causes have been cited among the root “causes that often underlie the immediate symptoms of armed conflicts” (Report of the Secretary-General, 2001). That is, conflicts in the region have been intrinsically tied to access and control of valuable ecological resources, including minerals, oil, timber, and productive pastures and farming land. In present day, forests in the region are seen as ‘sustaining’ conflict, through the generation of profits or capital from natural resource extraction by militia groups for redistribution and purchase of arms, or mobilization of human resources for war.
Peace and security contributions
- Bringing stakeholders and surrounding communities together to improve the protection of and conservation of Kibira through land restoration, income generating activities and social dialogue.
- Bringing together men and women as well as Batwa has been part of project strategy to reinforce social cohesion while working to improve Kibira’s protection.
- The project, through the work done by Kioka, is demonstrating that knowledge of cultural heritage contributes a lot in the construction of peace and social cohesion in the community living around the Kibira Forest and for the entire Burundian population.
- Strengthening the ecoguards
Reported elements of good practices
Social cohesion, local governance and conservation of the forest are improved through community, government, and private sector engagement to address the interlinked drivers of local level conflict and deforestation in and around Kibira. Active involvement of women on activities supporting park protection and restoration of degraded land.
Reported challenges
- Lack of trust between park management and the Batwa. The latter being considered by OBPE as the main threat to the park
- Lack of access to land and sustainable livelihood opportunities
- Conflict between ecogardes and women association in the park sector of Teza
- Lack of employment and others direct benefits from the park
Practical details of implementation
- Through engagement with the community liaison unit, key gaps can be identified by the Foundation and local / national authorities to address the pain points of women, youth and concerns from other members of the Twa people.
- 43% of the project budget, amounting to $1.3M, will be allocated to activities in pursuit of direct women empowerment through the management of Kibira Foundation (composed of a minimum of 50% Women leaders) and conservation activities.
Method of monitoring environmental and peace impacts
- Independent evaluations are conducted for a mid-term and final evaluation.
- Forest cover and annual deforestation is measured through satellite monitoring. Carbon sequestration generated by forest restoration is monitored through satellite data on an annual basis.
- The number of conflict incidents observed in the Forest and number of people affected is monitored through security and media reports.
- Local perceptions of the benefits the Kibira Forest can generate for security, cultural reconciliation, climate resilience, and development is evaluated through interviews with 1000 people in 3 communes surrounding the National Park including a minimum of 50% women and 10% Twa.
- The number of jobs availed by women and members of the Batwa groups is found in companies’ employment logs which include salaries and gender breakdown.
- Participation of women, youth, and Batwa peoples in project monitoring, evaluation, and learning for peace and conservation interventions of the Kibira foundation is found in M&E reports through annual data collection.
