
Rainforest Foundation Norway organized an information workshop in Mbandaka, DRC to present the new mechanism for accessing funds called IPLC Forest Facility (IFF). This fund aims to support local communities and indigenous peoples in the protection of high integrity forests. The IFF will cover two pilot areas in the DRC and will allow local actors to play a central role in its governance. Simplified and innovative procedures will be put in place to facilitate access to small grants. This workshop allowed stakeholders to discuss the objectives and aspirations of the IFF. The province of Equateur, which hosts this initiative, actively supports this project and considers its accompaniment essential. The IFF represents an important opportunity to strengthen conservation and sustainable forest management efforts in the DRC through collaboration between Rainforest Foundation Norway, partner organizations and local and provincial authorities.