Wildlife Conservation Initiative (WCI)

The Wildlife Conservation Initiative (WCI) is a Rwandan non-profit organization focused on ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, and community empowerment. With four years of experience, WCI has established itself as a leader in community-led restoration, sustainable agriculture, and beekeeping, particularly engaging youth and women. The organization is recognized for its innovative approaches, such as integrating environmental education and agroecology, and for building strong partnerships with local and global stakeholders to ensure the sustainability and resilience of restored landscapes.

WCI proposes a project in the Kigeyo Sector, Rutsiro District, aimed at restoring degraded land along Lake Kivu buffer zones and hillsides by planting 105,000 indigenous and agroforestry trees. The initiative will organize local farmers into cooperatives, provide training in climate-smart cassava production, and support the cassava value chain to enhance livelihoods, especially for youth and women. A key innovation is the initiative to empower youth with digital skills for tree monitoring and environmental reporting, directly linking technology to restoration outcomes and new income opportunities. Activities include establishing a tree nursery, community engagement through sports, digital monitoring, and collaboration with local leaders to ensure long-term care and integration into district development plans. The project is expected to restore 160 hectares, protect riparian corridors, stabilize soils, and support over 2,000 households, while creating jobs and strengthening local cooperatives for improved market access.