Sustainable food systems in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Background

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, as in many countries around the world, the relationship between humans and their environment raises many questions. While climate change and energy issues are the focus of attention in Europe, the Congolese population is experiencing other aspects of this issue.

This is true of the essential balance that must be struck between preserving protected areas and meeting the basic needs of the communities that live nearby: how can we ensure the conservation of the biosphere while guaranteeing access to food, wood, and potential sources of income in rural areas where economic opportunities are extremely limited?

To reduce pressure on natural resources while developing viable alternatives with communities, Ucoopia (formerly ULB-Coopération) has implemented a systemic approach to integrated land management with its partners.

Financial partner

Location

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ucoopia’s (formerly ULB-Coopération) integrated land management projects are mainly focused on two protected areas (PAs): the Luki Biosphere Reserve (LBR) and the Mangrove Marine Park (MMP).

Support for Virunga National Park (VNP) is also planned, but has not yet been able to begin due to the security situation in North Kivu.

Objectives

Local populations meet their basic socioeconomic needs by developing sustainable economic activities and managing ecosystems and agroecosystems in a sustainable and inclusive manner.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Activities

The program focuses on three areas of intervention: the development of agricultural value chains, environmental conservation and restoration, and inclusive knowledge management.

Development of agricultural sectors

To support the creation of income-generating activities, we assist in the development of agricultural sectors:

Support for agroecological production techniques
Support for the extraction and processing of bee and market garden products
Strengthening associations of beekeepers and producers
Establishment of fair trade relations and contract farming
Launch of innovation competitions to support the creation of micro and small businesses among young people and women

Environment

The environmental focus is on conserving and restoring biodiversity and natural resources in PAs and agroecosystems:

Support for the development of the Luki Honey Plant Garden
Support for community forestry
Reforestation of mangroves in mangrove forests
Technical support for access to the voluntary carbon offset market
Technical support for the use of Geographic Information Systems

Inclusive Knowledge Management

Finally, as a university-based NGO, a significant part of our activities concerns the production and management of knowledge:

Conducting diagnostics, studies, and research through theses, doctoral dissertations, or internal studies
Establishment of a Scientific Committee involving stakeholders in the field as well as national, regional, and international research institutions to ensure that the proposed research topics are relevant and appropriate to the real needs of local communities and PA managers, and to guarantee that the research contributes to improving the living conditions of local communities.