Forest of Hope Association (FHA)

Forest of Hope Association (FHA) is a Rwandan grassroots NGO established in 2012, dedicated to the conservation and restoration of the Gishwati forest within the Gishwati-Mukura National Park. With over a decade of experience, FHA has played a pivotal role in elevating Gishwati to national park status and is recognized for its effective Community Forest Protection Initiative. The organization excels in engaging local communities through reforestation, forest protection, environmental education, and livelihood improvement, consistently working to reduce human-wildlife conflict and foster sustainable conservation practices.

The proposed project aims to promote biodiversity conservation through landscape restoration around Gishwati Forest in Rutsiro District. FHA will restore degraded land by planting 120,000 trees across farmland, riparian zones, and pastureland, supported by two community-run nurseries. The initiative will train 70 community representatives and collaborate with local leaders and schools to build restoration capacity and raise conservation awareness, reaching thousands of beneficiaries. Livelihoods will be enhanced by supporting beekeeping, tea seedling production, and women-led horticulture groups, linking restoration with sustainable income and food security. Continuous monitoring, technical support, and community engagement are central to the project, ensuring restored ecosystems, empowered communities, and improved household well-being.