This is the second story in a five part Forests for the Future impact series on how community forests in the DRC are enabling communities to drive their own development and protect climate-critical forests.

As the momentum around community forestry in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to grow, the second edition of the “Foire des Produits Agro-Forestiers issus des CFCLs” (Fair of Agroforestry Products from Community Forest Concessions) is set to take place this August in Mbandaka, Équateur Province. This event will shine a spotlight on the transformative power of community-led enterprises in the sustainable forest economy, and a new documentary film ‘From Forest to Fair: Ilinga’s Journey’ is giving audiences a taste of what’s to come.

Launched by RFUK, the short documentary focuses on Ilinga, a village deep in the rainforest where community forestry is changing lives. But the film isn’t just about Ilinga, it’s a window into a broader story of resilience, entrepreneurship and sustainable development unfolding across the region’s community forest concessions (CFCLs).

With support from RFUK and Congolese partner GASHE, CFCLs across Équateur are demonstrating how locally led forest governance can generate economic opportunities while preserving biodiversity. In Ilinga, women have become leaders in both forest stewardship and small enterprise, thanks to targeted training, capacity-building and access to markets. One such initiative, the “Chikwangue Améliorée” initiative, is helping women improve the production of traditional cassava bread while using it as a vehicle for economic independence for families and women.

“We thought they had come to take our land,” says Nene Kiseka, one of the women featured in the film. “But through the trainings, we understood that we can protect our forest, and women can lead too.”

The success of initiatives like these was on full display at the inaugural “Foire des Produits Agro-Forestiers issus des CFCLs” in 2024, which brought together community groups, private sector partners and government officials to celebrate the achievements and potential of CFCL-based enterprises, from agroforestry to cocoa farming to value-added forest product transformation.

With over 4.5 million hectares of forest now under community management in the DRC, the fair highlighted a new model for rural development: one rooted in local ownership, ecological stewardship and inclusive economies. The upcoming 2025 edition aims to expand this impact by bringing together even more community forest representatives from across the country and the wider region, fostering deeper policy dialogue, and opening doors to new investment and collaboration. It will also be a space to share ideas and best practices around the transformation and packaging of community forest products, which are crucial steps in adding value and maximising the economic potential of sustainably managed forests. By moving beyond raw material production towards higher-value goods, CFCLs can drive local employment and gain better access to diverse markets. Furthermore, the fair will host debates and workshops on how to better support CFCLs in strengthening their organisational models, transitioning from informal “Mutuelles de Solidarité” to fully-fledged enterprises capable of forming cooperatives and alliances, paving the way for more resilient, sustainable and competitive community economies.

The ‘From Forest to Fair: Ilinga’s Journey’ film offers just one glimpse into the vibrant, community-driven future being built across Équateur. It is both a celebration of what’s been achieved and an invitation to discover what’s possible when communities lead the way.