Association pour la Promotion de l'Agriculture de Conservation et de Protection de l'Environnement (PACPE)

"PACPE is a community-focused organization with eight years of experience at the intersection of rural development, food security, and ecological restoration. Its mission centers on sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, reforestation, and agroforestry on degraded lands, with a strong emphasis on gender equity and community empowerment. PACPE employs participatory and adaptive approaches, co-designing projects with local communities and valuing traditional knowledge. The organization has a proven track record, having restored thousands of hectares and planted millions of trees through partnerships with international donors and government agencies. Its work has led to increased vegetation cover, improved biodiversity, enhanced food security, and strengthened local governance structures, directly benefiting thousands of households.

The proposed project aims to restore 410 hectares of degraded land on the Mugeru sub-hill of Nyempundu through participatory reforestation, agroforestry, and the protection of endemic species. By engaging 250 households—at least 60% women and youth—the project will establish two community nurseries to produce 184,000 seedlings, reforest 40 hectares with native and exotic species, and promote agroforestry on 370 hectares of farmland. Activities include training households in planting and maintenance, forming local monitoring committees, and creating two farmer field schools to build agroecological skills. The project will also develop fruit value chains and create 320 jobs, aiming to increase biodiversity, reduce soil erosion, and improve water availability. Community-driven planning and ongoing training will ensure the survival and ecological impact of planted trees, while local governance structures will support long-term maintenance and benefits for the community."