The DRC is home to more than 60% of the Congo Basin rainforest, the second-largest tropical forest in the world. Yet millions of people living in and around these forests continue to face poverty and insecurity.

Community forestry provides a pathway to reconcile these challenges, giving local people the legal right to manage their forests sustainably and equitably. This approach strengthens food security, protects water sources, curbs deforestation and poaching and ensures that forest-dependent peoples, including women and indigenous groups, can shape their own futures.

As APEM’s national coordinator, Blaise Mudodosi, stated, “It is inconceivable that a country holding such a vast forest wealth should see its population live below the poverty line. This project aims to reverse that trend by giving communities the tools to secure their forests and transform natural wealth into resources to improve their living conditions."

RFUK and our local partners, such as APEM, have been a driving force behind community forestry in the DRC for over two decades. This includes pioneering participatory mapping to help communities assert their presence, advocating for the legal framework finalised in 2016 and supporting its implementation ever since. Efforts have included contributions to the national community forest strategy, co-management of the national community forest database and direct support to 20 communities whose lands span over 200,000 hectares. Representing RFUK at the launch, Georges Tchatchambe, RFUK’s DRC Field Project Coordinator, repeated this long-term commitment, “From participatory mapping nearly two decades ago to supporting the adoption of the national community forestry strategy, RFUK has stood with forest communities to ensure their rights are recognised and respected. With APEM and our partners, we will continue supporting the 13 communities of Oshwe to secure their concessions and build resilience."