TLDR;

RegenerateDRC is a vital initiative building a network to connect, protect, and restore parts of the Congo Basin, the world's second-largest tropical forest, by empowering local communities in the DRC, currently focused in Idjwi and Goma centered around Lake Kivu. Led by the local NGO DEC (Environmental Rights and Citizenship), in collaboration with ReFiDRC and Yale School of the Environment, this project currently focuses on community-led regenerative reforestation and water sanitation. It aims to build ecological citizenship among local populations through education, capacity building, and direct action. This initiative supports public goods by providing non-excludable and inclusive access to improved environmental health and resources like advocacy efforts that empower as well as educate local communities about regenerative practices and ecosystem protection.

Links:

• RegenerateDRC Website
• DEC Website
• DEC Twitter

Abstract

The Congo Basin is a critical carbon sink pivotal in global climate regulation, it faces a dire crisis that imperils its rich biodiversity and the livelihoods of local communities. RegenerateDRC emerges as a beacon of hope, strategically positioned to address this escalating environmental challenge in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

This initiative represents a vital effort in ecological conservation and community empowerment within the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). By engaging with and bolstering the capacities of local and indigenous communities in key areas including North Kivu, South Kivu, Idjwi, Kalehe, Bukavu, and Goma, RegenerateDRC aims to foster a resilient and sustainable relationship between these communities and their natural environment. Collaborating closely with the local NGO DEC as well as ReFiDRC and Yale School of the Environment, the initiative embarks on a path of regenerative reforestation, improved water sanitation, and environmental education thereby nurturing ecological citizenship and promoting direct community action. This approach not only targets the immediate restoration and protection of the Congo Basin but also aspires to instill long-lasting ecological stewardship and resilience among the Congolese people, ensuring the continued survival and flourishing of this essential ecosystem. As a result, RegenerateDRC can open source a replicable model for global environmental restoration efforts, showcasing how local action can resonate on a global scale.

How does it support Public Goods?

The urgent need for environmental restoration in the Congo Basin, coupled with the project's alignment with the principles of public goods, makes all support critical at this juncture. Funding and resources from public goods funding mechanisms like Gitcoin will enable us to scale our impact, ensuring that these non-rivalrous and non-excludable benefits reach as many people as possible, thereby maximizing the positive externalities for the global community. The funding and advisory support from the climate coordination network will crucially empower our reforestation initiatives in Idjwi and Goma, improve access to clean drinking water, and environmental education. Reforestation efforts are essential for ecological balance, biodiversity preservation, and climate action. In Goma, sustainable water resource management will address a fundamental human right, impacting health and socioeconomic conditions.

How is it non-excludable?

Our project is designed to be inclusive and accessible, embodying the principle of non-excludability. By engaging with local communities, promoting peer-to-peer education, and facilitating direct participation in environmental restoration, we ensure that no one is barred from contributing to or benefiting from the project's successes. The knowledge, skills, and improvements in environmental quality generated through this initiative are freely available to all participants and the wider community of Congolese locals and the YSE community. This approach not only fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility towards local ecosystems but also ensures that the benefits of healthier ecosystems, such as enhanced livelihoods and resilience to climate change, are shared by all, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographical location.

How is it non-rivalrous?

The environmental restoration efforts, including reforestation and clean water initiatives in the Congo Basin, are inherently non-rivalrous. The benefits of a restored ecosystem, such as increased biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and improved water quality, do not diminish with the number of people benefiting from them. On the contrary, these benefits exponentially increase the value to the community, the region, and the global ecosystem. For example, cleaner air and water from our reforestation and sanitation efforts can be enjoyed by an unlimited number of individuals without detracting from the quality or availability of these resources to others. This characteristic underscores the project's significance as a public good, with outcomes that extend far beyond the immediate community to contribute positively to global environmental health and climate stability.

Why do we need funding?

To launch our comprehensive program focusing on reforestation, clean water initiatives, directly educating about the climate crisis, and improving the quality of life for local communities. The publics' support is critical in making this vision a reality.

Implementation Strategy:

1. Community Engagement: Organize workshops and educational programs with DEC to build environmental awareness and skills.
2. Reforestation Projects: Collaborate with local communities to plant native species, restoring degraded lands.
3. Clean Water Access: Implement sustainable water management practices to ensure access to clean water, addressing both human health and ecological balance.
4. Research and Monitoring: Utilize IoT and Blockchain technology for measurement, reporting, and verification of reforestation progress and water quality, supported by Yale's academic resources.

Goals and Metrics:

1. Plant over 12,000 Acacia and Grevillea tree seedlings as community reforestation project before rainy season in Spring
2. Install and operationalize an water quality testing device for Lake Kivu, regularly compare conditions with WHO drinking water standards
3. Conduct 4 major environmental awareness events by end of 2024.
4. Develop a 5-day virtual environmental education course for Congolese youths through a teacher exchange program coordinated with students/faculty from the Yale School of Environment

Why now?

The Congo Basin is at a tipping point due to environmental degradation. Immediate action, supported by public goods funding, can catalyze significant change, leveraging our partnerships to ensure the success and sustainability of these initiatives.

Why not other initiatives?

While entities like Greenpeace Africa and the UN are impactful, our grassroots approach enables intimate and rapid action, addressing the immediate needs of local communities and fostering long-term environmental advocacy.

Impact and deliverables:

Impact since inception:

1. Advocacy and Education:

• DEC has conducted over 10 conferences with Congolese youth since 2019, focusing on environmental rights and awareness by also successfully planting 10,000 tree seedlings in 2020, contributing to reforestation efforts.
• DEC organized “la ville sans plastique” / “City without plastics” campaigns in collaboration with the University of Goma for community cleanup and plastic waste reduction.
• Together with the Yale School of Environment we hosted an event. The "Clean Lake Kivu Conference" brought together climate advocates and academics to explore climate leadership in the global south, with a focus on the Democratic Republic of Congo. Key discussion topics included:
  • Lessons from climate advocates in the DRC - what can be learned from their on-the-ground experiences and strategies?
  • Building effective partnerships and synergies between academics and grassroots climate activists. How can these groups collaborate more effectively?
  • Evaluating existing climate strategies that have been tested, and brainstorming new collaborative approaches through open dialogue.

The goal was to capture insights and approaches from the DRC context that could inform more impactful climate action and leadership in other parts of the global south. 2. Resource Provision:

• Facilitated the acquisition of essential communication tools for DEC, including a smart phone, computer, and webcam funded through multiple ETH transactions.
• Provided funds to source first batch of seedlings for community reforestation initiative in Kivu through one ETH transaction.

3. Research and Media Collaboration:

• Collaborated with the Yale School of the Environment for research support.
• Engaged in media outreach through the Yale Environmentalist publication and upcoming features in the Yale Daily News.

Deliverables breakdown and priority needs:

1. Technology and Communication:

• 2 laptops for project management and data processing.
• 3 telephones for DEC branches in Idjwi, Goma, and Bukavu for improved communication.

2. Reforestation Efforts:

• 12,000 tree seedlings for community-led reforestation in Idjwi.

3. Documentation and Monitoring:

• Camera and accessories for documenting tree growth, environmental conferences, and monitoring plastic waste in Lake Kivu.
• IoT sensors for water and soil quality monitoring, ensuring effective impact assessment.

4. Office Essentials:

• A color printer for document management and dissemination.

5. Educational Initiatives:

• A video projector for youth-focused environmental education events.

6. Event Management:

• Funds to organize 6 conference-debates throughout 2024, to drive community engagement and education.

7. Climate Communications:

• Translate french curriculum over the next 3-6 months as well as coordinate with the climate cardinals/Yale Program on Climate Change Communication

Immediate priorities:

• Purchase of some more office equipment to enhance project coordination and management.
• Funding for the more environmental conferences in 2024, key to continuing the year's initiatives.
• Maintenance phase of the reforestation project through the continuation of sufficient irrigation and weeding as well as the purchase of IoT soil moisture, air, and temperature sensors.
• Continued increased collection and recycling of plastics in and around Lake Kivu (including purchase of medical gloves, purchase of bag for collection, allocation of a rowing canoe, transport of young people who participate, communication costs, printing of t-shirts and calico)

Feedback loop:

The "RegenerateDRC" initiative's feedback process is a dynamic journey from inception to future evolution:

• Initially, the project engaged with local communities and stakeholders in the Congo Basin, gathering firsthand insights and experiences. This foundational stage set the tone for a community-centric approach, ensuring that the strategies developed were deeply aligned with local needs.
• Currently, the initiative is planning to leverage digital Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (dMRV) tools to gather accurate environmental data. This data, alongside ongoing community education and feedback gathered by DEC, is crucial in assessing the impact of our reforestation efforts and clean water initiatives. The process today is about a blend of ground-level insight and technological analysis, providing a clear picture of the project's effectiveness and areas for improvement.
• Looking ahead, "RegenerateDRC" aims to continuously refine and adapt its strategies based on this feedback. As environmental conditions and community needs evolve, the initiative plans to iteratively adjust its approaches. The goal is to sustainably expand the project's impact, fostering a resilient and thriving Congo Basin ecosystem and empowering its communities for the long term.

Team and roles:

• Emmanuel Ndimwiza: Organization and project lead on the ground.
• Remy Zahiga: Data, coordination, and research lead.
• Jae-Hee Bae: Remote project lead and communication lead.
• Shaan Patel: Research and technical lead.
• Gloria Kimbwala: Professional and technical advisor.
• Yale School of the Environment Faculty: Advisory and educational content development.