A deep Dive into our work: Sharing our impact in our 5th year of implementation
We are proud to present our second e-magazine, a comprehensive compilation of success stories that exemplify the transformative impact of our initiatives across our intervention area. This publication showcases the achievements across our four key project areas including watershed protection and climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable forest management and sustainable energy, and climate-resilient settlements.
Through these stories, we aim to foster knowledge sharing and exchange, highlighting the tangible benefits and innovative solutions driving environmental sustainability and community climate resilience.
This e-magazine serves as a testament to the dedication and collaborative efforts of all stakeholders to promote climate resilience through a range of interventions across the nine Sectors in Gicumbi District. By sharing the success stories of our beneficiaries, we aim to inspire further action to support vulnerable communities to adapt to the effects of climate change as well as spur replication and good practices in tackling climate change.
Click on the link to access more pictures illustrating our pictures from the field.
In the last five years, our efforts in watershed protection have resulted in significant improvements in reducing soil erosion and enhancing agricultural productivity. By implementing integrated watershed management practices, we have empowered local communities to adopt climate-resilient agriculture practices, and sustainably manage their land resources, ensuring long-term ecological balance and improved livelihoods.
For instance, to date, the project has established radical terraces on 1,450 Ha including 600 Ha of radical terraces and 850 Ha of progressive terraces, planted upland tea on 50Ha, upland coffee on 40 Ha as well as 7,410 Hectares of land planted with agroforestry and 1,356 hectares of land established with protective forestry on roads and hillsides.
According to the annual seasonal assessment report (Season B 2024) within the intervention areas, the overall seasonal production for Maize has increased to 17% compared to the baseline. For instance, the average bean production in all 9 sectors has increased to 25% since the project started as a result of improved seeds and the use of fertilizers whereas the average Irish potato production in all project interventions so far has also increased to 22% compared to the baseline. Furthermore, the wheat production in all sectors of project intervention has increased to 9% compared to the baseline production.
Our efforts towards sustainable forest management also illustrate our commitment to environmental protection, improved economic community livelihoods, and enhancing carbon sequestration. On this, 1,250 Hectares of degraded forests were renewed with quality tree seedlings, and 28,000 improved cookstoves were distributed to vulnerable households.
Through community-based forest management programs, we have promoted sustainable forest management practices and forest rehabilitation efforts. These initiatives have not only preserved natural resources but also provided long-term economic opportunities for local populations.
Furthermore, the impact created in this area highlights our commitment to promoting clean energy to reduce communities’ high dependence on firewood. This was done through the distribution of improved cookstoves, biogas production, and energy-efficient initiatives such as institutional large stoves. These initiatives have thus improved energy access, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and fostered economic growth.
Further still, as a result of project interventions across the different components, significant progress has been realized towards carbon emission reduction. To date, emissions reduction has been achieved within different interventions, including AFOLU at 60,023 tCO2e, Mulindi Tea Factory at 12,963 tCO2e, and energy-efficient interventions at 35,026 tCO2e hence, the annual cumulative total of emission reductions standing now at 108,011 tCO2e.
Lastly, our work on climate-resilient settlement has focused on building adaptive capacity and enhancing infrastructure resilience by supporting the already victims of climate change in the Gicumbi District. To date, 289 household rainwater harvesting tanks have been constructed, harvesting 867 m3 capacity, and 139 cisterns and underground rainwater harvesting tanks, harvesting 4,125 m3 capacity.
Lastly, it is worth noting that in our 5th year of implementation, we have created more than 38,000 green jobs and reached 148,843 direct beneficiaries including 45% of women and 55% of men whereas the number of indirect beneficiaries reached is 469,567, of which 52% are women.
Access our 2nd E-magazine on the Link and enjoy reading it!