Rainforest Foundation Norway recently organized an information workshop in Mbandaka, Democratic Republic of Congo, to discuss the implementation of a new mechanism to access funds called the IPLC Forest Facility (IFF). This event, which took place on July 3 and 4, aimed to present this fund dedicated to local communities and indigenous peoples, in order to support them in the protection of the remaining high integrity forests.
The IFF is national in scope, with two pilot areas: Equateur Province and eastern DRC. In order to promote effective ownership, local communities and indigenous peoples will play a central role in the governance of this fund.
IFF’s goal is to provide direct support to local community and indigenous peoples’ projects related to community forestry, protected area management and land use planning. This will be done in close collaboration with the provincial and local authorities and administrations.
To facilitate access to this fund, robust, simple and innovative procedures will be put in place, both for the allocation and for the monitoring of small grants. A focal point will also be designated at the landscape level, to act as a liaison officer.
This workshop was an opportunity for the various stakeholders to discuss the objectives and aspirations related to the IFF. In a forest province like Equateur, where the conservation and preservation of forests are essential, the involvement of local actors is crucial.
The province of Equateur has already taken initiatives in favor of the green economy and sustainable forest governance. The Vice-Governor, Taylor Nzangela, expressed his support for this innovative project and underlined the importance of the support of the provincial government in its implementation.
The IFF represents a significant opportunity to strengthen and consolidate conservation efforts led by local communities and indigenous peoples in the DRC. By promoting their active participation and making the necessary resources available to them, this fund will contribute to preserving biodiversity and protecting the remaining high-integrity forests