The Rural Development Interdiocesan Service (RDIS)

The Rural Development Interdiocesan Service (RDIS) is a Rwandan NGO established by five Anglican dioceses, with a mission to safeguard the environment and promote sustainable, holistic community development. With over a decade of experience, RDIS has built a strong reputation for advancing environmental protection through landscape restoration, climate-smart agriculture, and socio-economic empowerment. The organization operates through a network of field offices and skilled staff, engaging local leaders and community facilitators to deliver inclusive, community-based projects. RDIS is recognized for its institutional maturity and effective coordination, empowering rural smallholder farmers with training, technical support, and resources to improve livelihoods and environmental outcomes.

The proposed project aims to restore 389 hectares of degraded land in Rusizi District by planting 300,000 trees and introducing soil-fixing grasses to reduce erosion, with a target of 240,000 surviving trees by 2031. The initiative will enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and increase agricultural productivity for 1,200 smallholder households, while creating 255 green jobs through nursery operations, tree planting, and community monitoring. Activities include establishing community nurseries, training trainers and farmers in agroecological practices, distributing fruit seedlings, setting up demonstration plots, and supporting beekeeping enterprises for income diversification. The project is fully community-led, involving local authorities, cooperatives, women and youth groups, and ensures long-term sustainability through participatory site selection, ongoing maintenance, and robust monitoring systems. By 2031, the project expects to achieve significant improvements in food security, ecosystem connectivity, and rural livelihoods in Rusizi District.