Stöd för minskade utsläpp av växthusgaser från avskogning (REDD+) i DRK

2022 is the third year of implementation of the PIREDD Ecuador project, the results obtained from the program are presented differently from previous reports. Here the results take into account two major impacts, arising from the national REDD plus investment plan. It is : Reducing emissions and increasing absorptions Improvement in the standard of living of populations affected by the program. 1 Reduction of emissions and increase of absorptions In order to reduce emissions due to deforestation and forest degradation, the program acts particularly and directly on 3 pillars of the national REDD strategy. They aim to limit negative human impacts in natural forests, by reorienting activities preferentially in savannah areas. In addition to this, the program creates upstream enabling conditions allowing activities to be established in previously planned spaces, where installed governance structures contribute to the capture, coordination and orientation of investments by guaranteeing coherence, efficiency and effectiveness of agricultural, forestry and energy activities. Thus, in terms of Forests, the program relies on a transfer of management to communities, through Local Community Forest Concessions (CFCL), whose sustainable management is guaranteed by simple management plans (PSG). To date, 63 communities have expressed their interest, over an area of 400,000 ha ultimately under CFCL, currently constituting approximately 83% of the expected target (480,000 ha). Of this workforce: 14 CFCL have the titles, including 10 with PSG currently awaiting validation and certification, internally, of their compliance with the required quality standards; 28 others are constituted and awaiting approval by the authority and; finally, 20 others are identified and taken care of to be supported in this process. These actions will make it possible to restore the functions of these forests beyond carbon sequestration, wood production, protection of soils and peatlands, preservation of biodiversity and contribution to ecosystem services (protection of water, habitats and watersheds...). Concerning Agriculture, the Program aims to conquer the savannahs by promoting technical routes for sustainable agriculture, using improved varieties and agricultural intensification, notably through agroforestry and the promotion of cash crops ( palm, coffee, cocoa), fruit and forest trees with caterpillars on respective targets of 2,000 ha and 3,000 ha. Due to the difficulty in acquiring quality agricultural inputs (cuttings and seeds in particular), meeting the required technical specifications, activities slowed down and finally took off with the gradual control of supply sources, in terms of quality and quantity required. With 922 ha of savannah and forest edge area conquered in this framework until the end of 2022, the program has achieved an additional 500 ha and acquired good potential from seedlings in nurseries made up of 105,000 pre-sprouted oil palms (1,000 ha) and coffee plants and various forest trees in the transplant stage. An additional batch of seeds, consisting of 150 kg of coffee seeds and 40,000 cocoa pods, was recently acquired during the 2022 financial year for a potential in Planting area estimated at 1,500 ha. However, it was noted that the cocoa beans in pods acquired significantly lost their germination power following the constraints linked to transport and storage in the delivery route taken by the supplier. It will certainly be appropriate in this context to place a new order in this agricultural speculation in high demand among the communities. At the same time, the Program supports the establishment of a system for the dissemination of improved inputs, accessible to communities at reasonable prices, with a view to extending and sustaining achievements in this area. For Energy, the program aims to create, upstream of the sector, sources of sustainable supply of wood energy outside natural forests, made up of afforestation of exotic and/or local rapidly growing forest species in savannah zones over 3,000 Ha. Supply of quality inputs has been delayed (441 ha of afforestation recorded at the end of 2022), and a coherent and efficient acquisition and deployment plan has been put in place for approximately 1,000 ha of afforestation to be established with the plants currently already installed in nurseries, to which will be added other products from nurseries installed in 2022, including those which will come from 150 kg of acacia seeds recently acquired to absorb the possible deficit compared to the target pursued. In this logic of increasing absorptions, the program plans to set aside 7,000 ha of savannahs, with 6,054 ha effective cumulative at the end of 2022, including 3,550 hectares implemented during the 2022 financial year. The other sub-component of the downstream energy component aims to enhance the use and promotion of improved stoves to reduce the quantity of firewood used by households. THE project has produced and put on the markets 3,750 improved stoves to date, including only 250 during 2022. Furthermore, to better supervise upstream production, the project plans to install 20 ovens on a pilot basis. carbonization, including 2 already installed and 10 others in assembly using materials already available to do this. 2 Improvement in the standard of living of the populations affected by the program The project targeted 200 villages presenting REDD opportunities and expected to independently receive support through its implementation components. There are between 50 and 300 households per village. depending on its size, with an eligible average of 100 households receiving this support in one way or another. The average household size can validly be established at 5 adults per household: This brings the total expected number of potential beneficiaries to 100,000. Aware of the negative impact of poverty in the exploitation of forest resources, the program supports the development of alternative income-generating activities, addressing the value chains of non-timber agricultural and forestry products. In this context, the program supervised and supported 15 women's associations for the production of improved Chikwangue made up of approved VSLAs of 620 women, each representing a household of 8-10 people on average. 66 new women's associations have indicated their intention to evolve into WITH and are gradually being supported by the program. Fifteen (15) were supported and technically accompanied during the 2022 financial year. A collaboration is being developed with the National Network of Rural Women (RENAFER/Equateur Section) to promote empowerment of women through income-generating activities. Data is being collected from these associations in order to measure the impact on the income of the households involved. In forestry, the program contributed to the emergence of 61 forestry micro-enterprises involved in the exploitation, on an interim basis while waiting for the PSG, of NTFPs in the CFCLs. Aware from 2022, the figures have evolved to include respectively new VSLAs and 40 new micro-enterprises operating NTFPs in CFCLs. At the same time, a PES supervision and management program is being put in place, starting with PES dedicated to communities, aiming to ensure better allocation of funds in favor in community works likely to stimulate local self-development. A first PSE payment was made for savannah protection activities in the Lusankani Sector, where the PES beneficiary communities reinvested in the construction of community works (Dispensary, health center, pharmacy, etc.) which are already causing the desire of neighboring communities who are already expressing their intention to benefit from PES; this translates into a strong enthusiasm for defenses in this sector.

The objective of the national REDD program in the DRC is to: (i) Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Deforestation and forest degradation, and increase the level of uptake by sinks in the forest sector; (ii) generate co-development benefits. Sweden has chosen to contribute to the National REDD Fund with soft earmarking of funds to a specific project. This additional funding has allowed for a wider scope of the project and strengthening of the project's gender equality perspective.  The specific objective of the Equateur intervention is to Stabilise deforestation and afforestation, and improve the living conditions and incomes of rural communities through: (i) Improvement of governance by capacity building of decentralized services and capacity-building by local community governance; (ii) Land use planning, through development planning and zoning as a basis for land management. Sustainable community-based forest management, to protect and enhance forest carbon stocks. (iii) Sustainable community-based forest management, to reduce pressure on forests and enhance forest carbon stocks; (iv) Enhancement of agricultural activities and use of savannah areas through promotion of agroforestry and conservation agriculture, carried out collectively or individually by households to increase livelihoods and diversify income sources, while reducing pressure on virgin forests; (v) Support for urban and peri-urban forestry for food security and the creation and promotion of sustainable energy sources; (vi) access to family planning services and nutritional services for local populations and indigenous peoples.