Rwanda

14 hectares

The organization is actively engaged in land restoration efforts in Rubavu District, Western Province, Rwanda. This area, known for its semi-arid climate and vulnerability to land degradation, has been prioritized for ecological restoration and sustainable land management. Currently, in collaboration with local faith-based communities and youth groups, the organization is restoring 8 hectares of degraded land in Kanzenze Sector, focusing on tree planting, soil erosion control, and agroforestry integration. The project involves planting a mix of indigenous and fruit-bearing trees to improve biodiversity, restore soil fertility, and provide alternative income sources for local families. Their approach is inspired by faith-based principles of creation care, stewardship, and justice, recognizing that protecting the land is a moral responsibility. The organization mobilize local churches, youth fellowships, and women's faith groups to participate in tree planting campaigns, training sessions on sustainable farming, and awarenes-raising on climate and land degradation issues. In addition to ongoing work in Kanzenze sector, the organization is planning to expand restoration activities in Mudende sector, particularly on a 5-hectare site near Nyabushongo Modern village, where deforestation and soil erosion have significantly affected agricultural productivity and community resilience. These efforts are rooted in their belief that faith and environmental action must go hand in hand, and the organization is committed to scaling this work through partnerships with religious networks, NGOs, and local authorities. The organization welcome further collaboration and are open to learning from other faith-based land restoration models acros Africa and beyond. Additionally, climate variabilityespecially prolonged dry seasonshampers seedling survival and affects restoration outcomes. The organization also face low community awarenes about the importance of sustainable land management, which sometimes leads to unsustainable practices like overgrazing or deforestation. Land ownership issues and unclear boundaries can create delays in project implementation.

320 hectares

ANGLICAN CHURCH OF RWANDA's Church has been interested in Land management from 2022 after a Leadership meeting with Rwanda Hope International. The Church start an Agri faith Ministry athroughout Nyaruguru Diocese of Rwanda Anglican Church.Here the Farmers learn by practicals how to do farming without diging the soil and how to make their own compost.This is contributing a lot to the soil improvement and also a good use of the soil available soil in the area. This activity is done in RWANDA Country, Southern Province, Nyaruguru District by Anglican Church of Rwanda.Also the Church is growing trees on high altitude of Nyaruguru area.Today about 10,000 trees has been grown in a such way from. The Location of the Church is in the area of high mountains.

1.5 Accres hectares

Their land restoration efforts are primarily focused on the University of Rwanda's Busogo campus, in the Northern Province of Rwanda. While the organization haven't undertaken large-scale restoration projects, their current activities include regular tree-planting initiatives within the university grounds. The organization organize these drives to combat soil erosion, enhance biodiversity, and create green spaces for the university community. The organization also encourage proper waste disposal among students to prevent land degradation. Looking ahead, the organization is keen to expand their involvement to include small-scale native plant propagation and stream bank stabilization along natural water features on campus, collaborating closely with the university administration and local environmental groups to identify specific sites and implement sustainable practices. Competing land use for new infrastructure often restricts opportunities for extensive restoration.

10,000sqm hectares

International Youth Fellowship is Christian based organization profoundly dedicated to improving communities through educational systems and services by training Youth for environmental protection starting from the change of mindset. Christians have been reading even the Bible and interpreting it in a way to go against the environment which destroyed thousands of lands, animals and vegetation but through the mindset educational activities, International Youth Fellowship has done a tremendous job to restore the environment with land included. For example in Kigali Rwanda, the organization is based in Kimironko, a place around Nyandungu ecological tourism Park, The organization personallys involved in research on its degradation and restoration and the organization has been working with Youth for environmental cleaning, trees planting for climate action and so on. African Christians have been thinking that God can listen to their prayers while they pray in deep mountains yet there is no organized ways to do that without destroying the landscape. Nyandungu eco-park is a place where Pope lead a mes when he came to Rwanda but now it is getting restored by the help of the government and sone organizations like International Youth Fellowship.

1320 Ha hectares

With funding from Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) through CBM (Canadian Baptist Ministries), the AEBR (Association des Eglises Baptistes au Rwanda) has been implementing a three-year agriculture and livelihoods project, called EDENI-YACU, in Ngoma District, Eastern Province of Rwanda. The EDENI-YACU project started intervention in Ngoma district since October 2021 aiming at improving food security and income of 1,200 households in 8 villages within Zaza, Mutenderi, Kazo and Rukumberi Sectors, through conservation agriculture (CA) practices. The organization planned to enlarge the areas and project participants from 1200 to 2000 HHS IN 12 Villages.

1500ha hectares

RWANDA, South, NYAMAGABE District Animal grazing, Illegal Mining, Community constraints, Funding Limitations,Conflicts of stakeholders interests, Complex interplay between environmental and social factors, Ecological complexity,Climate change impact, Lack of planting materials, unsustainable land use.

1500ha hectares

Trees Plantetion , Erosion Control, Restoration of degraded lands, Rwanda, South, Nyamagabe Insufficient funds, Lack of adequate knowledge, insufficient funds, Social and economic complexities, Policies, Politics,Climate changes impacts,Monitoring and evaluation difficulties, Inadequate technologies, Corruption, weak institutions strengthening.

40 hectares hectares

The organization currentlys work with stakeholders from various faith organizations, including catholics, muslims, protestants, along with other scientists to establish Living Lab experiments on farmers' land. Key challenges include key challenges include the aim is to build a strong transition towards sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation funding and limited technological and financial capacity.

4ha hectares

Rwanda , Bugesera district in partnership with schools the organization plan to plant trees in schools compounds and distribution of Trees to children and Community members nears schools and church The key challenges are lack of fund to restore all degrade land for sustainable manager.

865 hectares hectares

The Rural Development Inter-Diocesan Service (RDIS) is a faith-based NGO established by five dioceses of the Anglican Church of Rwanda. The organization is deeply engaged in large-scale land restoration acros Western and Southern Rwanda, integrating faith, environmental stewardship, and community development. Currently, RDIS is implementing the Revitalizing Lake Kivu Basin through Landscape Restoration Project from 2024 to 2029 in Rusizi and Nyamasheke districts. This six-year project emphasizes tree growing over mere planting, with a focus on survival and long-term ecological restoration. In 2024 alone, the organization planted 211,293 trees on lands owned by churches, public institutions, and smallholder farmers. An additional 200,000 trees are being raised in six community-based nurseries located in Nyamasheke and Rusizi districts for planting in. Since 2015, RDIS has partnered with Rwanda Action on the Environmental Conservation Project in the Western Province. This programme distributes 150,000 seedlings annually, with over 1.5 million trees planted to date many on faith-owned lands and over 2,000ha were restored. These include indigenous, agroforestry, and fruit species that enhance biodiversity and food security. On church managed farms Mbayaya Farm (25 ha) under Shyogwe Diocese and Murangi Farm (10 ha) under Cyangugu Diocese the organization integrate Climate-Smart Agriculture, reforestation, and soil and water conservation, supported by the United Evangelical Mission. In Mubumbano Parish (35ha) of Butare Diocese, the organization plant over 1,200 trees each season as part of an ongoing ecosystem restoration effort. Rural Development Interdiocesan Service (RDIS). The Rural Development Interdiocesan Service (RDIS) with registration No. 13/RGB/NGO/2015 is an organization for Environmental safeguarding, increase the production aiming at sustainable and holistic development in Five dioceses of the Anglican Church of Rwanda: Butare, Cyangugu, Kigeme, Nyaruguru and Shyogwe. Coordinates these initiatives and work closely with local church leaders and communities to foster sustainable land stewardship. The Rural Development Interdiocesan Service (RDIS) with registration No. 13/RGB/NGO/2015 is an organization for Environmental safeguarding, increase the production aiming at sustainable and holistic development in Five dioceses of the Anglican Church of Rwanda: Butare, Cyangugu, Kigeme, Nyaruguru and Shyogwe.'s technical expertise, enhance their ability to scale impact on church lands, and deepen environmental approach to restoration. In Nyamasheke and Rusizi where much of their work is based the terrain is highly mountainous, and heavy rainfall frequently leads to soil erosion and landslides, often washing away newly planted trees before they can establish. Many local leaders and congregants prioritize short-term economic benefits, such as fuelwood or timber, over the long-term ecological services provided by native species.

The Anglican Church of Rwanda, hthe following planned activities can be undertaken in its parishes, schools, and communities: Tree Planting Campaigns: The Church can organize nationwide tree planting initiatives, especially in degraded areas, church lands, and community spaces. Parish youth and womens fellowships can be actively engaged in these activities, fostering environmental awarenes and stewardship. Soil Conservation Projects: Through training and mobilization of rural congregations, the Church can promote terracing, agroforestry, and contour planting on agricultural lands prone to erosion, particularly in hilly areas. Sustainable Agriculture Training: By partnering with agricultural and environmental organizations, the Church can train farmers in conservation agriculture, organic farming, and climate-smart practices that restore soil fertility and prevent land degradation. Wetland and Water Source Protection: Church communities can participate in protecting and rehabilitating wetlands and water catchment areas through reforestation, fencing, and preventing pollution. Community Education and Advocacy: The Church can lead environmental education in sermons, workshops, and schools to build awarenes of land restoration, climate change, and sustainable living in light of Christian teaching. Establishment of Creation Care Committees: Parishes and dioceses can form creation care groups responsible for planning, monitoring, and reporting land restoration activities. Partnership with Government and NGOs: Collaboration with the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), local governments, and NGOs can strengthen the Churchs impact and acces technical expertise and resources. Thirdly, land ownership conflicts and unclear boundaries between church and community lands sometimes create disputes, delaying restoration efforts. Additionally, low awarenes and engagement among some church members regarding environmental stewardship limits participation in land management initiatives. Climate change impacts, such as droughts and soil erosion, also complicate restoration efforts.

Calvary Wide Fellowship Ministries owns land in Rwanda, located in Kigali City, Bugesera District, and Nyagatare District in the Eastern Province. Their parish members use these sites to grow maize and beans, integrated with agroforestry practices. The organization plant trees such as Grevillea, Calliandra, and fruit trees alongside crops to improve soil fertility, control erosion, and promote biodiversity. In addition to agroforestry, the organization is engaged in several land restoration efforts. These include composting and mulching to enrich soil organic matter, contour farming to reduce runoff, and promoting drought-resistant crops to adapt to climate change. In Nyagatare, weve established a small community nursery to raise indigenous tree seedlings for planting on degraded land. Their ministries also lead seasonal community clean-up and tree planting campaigns involving parish youth and womens groups. These events serve both environmental and spiritual purposes, teaching biblical principles of stewardship and creation care. The organization recognize the growing importance of restoring the health of their land and ecosystems. While current activities are modest in scale, the organization is committed to expanding these efforts. The organization aim to rehabilitate more degraded areas, improve water retention through agro-ecological practices, and equip local leaders with the skills to manage land sustainably. The organization sees this as both a spiritual mandate and a practical necessity for community resilience and food security. In some areas, unpredictable weather patterns, especially prolonged droughts, threaten crop productivity and tree survival. Despite strong faith-based motivation, the organization need more support to turn that commitment into a lasting environmental impact. The organization sees the Faith4Land Masterclass community-led restoration systems rooted in their faith values.

Western province the organization has a school and using remaining land with agriculture focuses on climate smart agriculture agroforestry tree planting for soil erosion and livestock for organic manure production in the districts of Bugesera, Ngoma, Kirehe and Nyagatare -in Nothern province:the organization has 15hectors for chuch building , ursery school and recreational space for event organisation and retreats in the distrct of Rulindo and Musanze In Western provice the organization has land of 25 hectares not yet approved their use yet. The land located in districts of Rubavu, Rutsiro and Nyamasheke.

Rwanda University Muslims Students Organization(RUMSO), participates in or initiates activities aligned with these university-wide efforts, such as tree planting drives, awarenes campaigns on sustainable farming and train farmers on designing and implementing sustainable land management and planting such plants like potatoes, or community outreach programs in the Northern Province, including areas around Busogo. RUMSO focused on land management or restoration in Rwanda. Soil erosion and degradation: Steep topography and unsustainable farming practices contribute to significant soil los. Climate change impacts: Increased frequency of extreme weather events like droughts and floods exacerbates land degradation. 5.Capacity gaps: There's a need for continued training and technical expertise in sustainable land management techniques at all levels, from local communities to professionals.

Catholic church is based in Huye district, Karambi sector, to be exact. This is a place where erosion tends to carry their soil, as it is a mountainous area. The most familiar way for land restoration is through agroforestry, where the organization mix crops with trees. The organization plant coffee(kawa) with trees to reduce this issue. The government has also helped by putting terraces to reduce water runoff. Most of the people in this area are illiterate, so it is challenging to convince them to plant trees to protect their land or to use organic material to restore their land fertility. The organization is still working on teaching people the importance of land restoration and also showing them the appropriate methods to use. The organization has a monthly workshop after umuganda( which is a month of community work) where the organization teach the community the importance of land management for now and for the next generations.