English
Mapping For Rights: Putting Rainforest Communities on the Map
Since its launch in 2011, MappingForRights has supported more than a thousand communities to map and share highly detailed geographical information about their lands and resources so that decisions on forests do not neglect those who depend on them most. In this introductory briefing, we address the root causes land-based conflict in Central African forests, … Read more
Historic first as communities in Democratic Republic of Congo gain legal rights over their local forests
Community members of Bosende, in Equateur Province, celebrate the news this week that their community forest application has been approved. | Photo credit: GASHE The Rainforest Foundation UK (RFUK) is celebrating, as a group of local communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is being granted legal rights to protect their local rainforests. In what … Read more
Real-time technology helps stop illegal mining operation in the Peruvian Amazon
A map of the affected area in Madre de Dios region. An indigenous community in the Peruvian Amazon helped to catch illegal gold miners red-handed this month using a smartphone app developed by the Rainforest Foundation UK (RFUK), leading to the dramatic destruction of illegal mining equipment. The Masenawa community in Peru’s Madre de Dios … Read more
A beacon of hope for Congo’s rainforests: DRC government adopts national strategy on community forests
A mother and child in Nzondo community, Equateur, DRC. Nzondo is one of several communities applying for a Community Forest Concession | Photo credit: Claire Parfondry, RFUK In a landmark decision, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Environment Ministry has adopted the country’s first National Strategy on community forestry, marking the launch of a five-year … Read more
RFUK launches land use planning project in Maniema province, Democratic Republic of Congo
This week, the Rainforest Foundation UK (RFUK) launched a new participatory mapping and land use planning project in Maniema province, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The launch ceremony took place in the provincial capital, Kindu, and was attended by over 50 participants, including provincial government officials, traditional authorities and civil society representatives. The … Read more
From the forest: New rights to forests give communities hope for the future
RFUK’s Claire Parfondry (right) and GASHE’s Ruth Badubaye (left) meet with local communities in February | Credit: GASHE Claire Parfondry coordinates the Rainforest Foundation UK’s Community Forests project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). She recently travelled to six local communities participating in the project in western DRC. It’s been nearly one year since … Read more
Living in a logging zone: Innovating with community forests in CAR
A new experiment in the Central African Republic (CAR) is about to have a big impact on the land rights of remote forest communities. After months of advocacy by civil society, one government ministry has opened the door for local communities in the country’s south-west to officially gain control of their forest resources. Thanks to … Read more
A National Strategy for Community Forestry in Democratic Republic of Congo
This briefing note outlines the key elements of the new National Strategy on Community Forestry in DRC, and gives a concise overview of the Roundtable process that has led to the creation of this landmark document, as well as recommendations on next steps.
Environmental charities call on DRC government to halt plans to open up the world’s second largest rainforest to loggers
Over 50 environmental, conservation and human rights organisations are calling on the international community urgently to intervene to help protect the vast rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following announcements by the country’s Environment Ministry that they intend to lift a legal moratorium on the allocation of new areas of forest for large-scale logging. DRC’s … Read more
Helping remote villages gain control of their forest
Last year, we launched our Community Forests project in western Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), supporting local villages to formally take control of their traditional rainforest home in order to manage the land collectively and sustainably. The first phase of this project has focused on informing these remote communities about relevant laws and guiding them through the … Read more