Improving biodiversity and livelihoods in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The time period is December 2024 - November 2025.

About the project

The project:

• focuses on evidence-based governance, using scientific data to support not only biodiversity and ecosystem health but also the social and economic factors that are essential for maintaining ecosystem function.
• commences with a twelve-month inception phase focused on Mabali Scientific Reserve, managed by Centre de Recherche en Ecologie et Foresterie (CREF), Lake Tumba.
• will bring together expertise from different institutions operating or interested in the Congo Basin and particularly in the larger area of the Cuvette Centrale where CREF and its Mabali Scientific Reserve are located to ensure that interests of a variety of stakeholders are taken into account.
• is based at Université Catholique du Congo (UCC), within the School of Management.

Expected outputs

The project has three goals; evidence, capacities and coordination, that aim at corresponding long-term outputs and outcomes.

Goal one – Evidence
A field study begins with data on biodiversity and water quality collected; project review conducted to adjust the study design; coordination with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and others on evidence for sustainable livelihoods. 

Goal two – Capacity
An MSc programme at UCC is expanded with a specialisation in environmental monitoring and asssessment (EMA). A proposal for a new EMA-focused study programme is developed, with students participating in the project under expert mentorship. DRC and Swedish experts collaborate to build EMA capacities. A gender equality analysis is also conducted.

Goal three - Coordination
Sub-agreements between UCC and DRC partners are finalised, and a meeting is held to discuss future collaboration, including data management and publication. A working group is proposed under DRC biodiversity authorities. Online hosting for project data is explored, and an assessment of DRC EMA actors is completed. An analysis begins on how using evidence in natural resource governance can support poverty reduction, human rights, gender equality, and conflict resolution.

Facts

The project is funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida).

In an article in ScienceVol 386, Issue 6717, October 2024 you can read about the research development in DRC and the collaboration with SLU:

Congo Calling - A dearth of local scientists is holding back research on the world’s second largest rainforest  

Note! In the article SLU is mixed up with Uppsala University.

Contact person in the DRC:

Professor Inogwabini Bila-Isia, Catholic University of the Congo School of Management. Bila_inogwabini@biari.brown.edu