Organization for Support to the Environmental Protection and Climate Change Adaptation (OSEPCCA)

OSEPCCA is a Rwandan organization with 13 years of experience advancing sustainable development through environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and climate change adaptation. Their mission centers on community-driven restoration, focusing on forestry, agroforestry, and climate-smart agriculture to enhance ecosystem resilience and improve local livelihoods. OSEPCCA has a strong track record, having restored thousands of hectares of degraded land, planted over a million trees—including indigenous species—and empowered thousands of community members through income-generating and food security initiatives such as beekeeping and small livestock farming.

The proposed project aims to scale up restoration and climate adaptation efforts in Rutsiro District by integrating forest landscape restoration with biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihood development. The initiative will establish biodiversity sanctuaries within the Lake Kivu buffer zone, restore degraded agroforestry landscapes, and rehabilitate roadsides and riverbanks to enhance ecological stability and prevent erosion. Activities include planting a diverse mix of native, exotic, and fruit trees, establishing beekeeping and kitchen garden enterprises, and creating new jobs with a focus on women and youth. The project will be implemented through a participatory, community-led approach, ensuring alignment with local land use plans and long-term sustainability through robust monitoring, maintenance, and community governance structures.