On 5 November 2026, the Rwanda Climate Change and Development Network (RCCDN), through the TerraFund RestoreLocal Project, conducted a community engagement activity across the 12 villages of Mubuga Sector, Karongi District. Led by the RCCDN Coordinator and Field Officer, the engagement brought together 108 Village and Isibo leaders to strengthen their capacity to support household-level tree maintenance, monitoring and accountability. The activity aimed to reinforce the understanding that successful land restoration goes beyond planting trees and requires continuous care, protection and community participation to ensure long-term environmental benefits.
During the engagement, RCCDN provided practical guidance on proper tree maintenance, monitoring and the use of digital tools to track restoration progress. Local leaders were encouraged to use smartphones provided by RCCDN to conduct household-level tree censuses, record the number of planted trees, assess their survival and identify challenges affecting their growth. The engagement also emphasised documenting community experiences, success stories and good practices to support learning and improve restoration interventions across the project villages.
By empowering grassroots leaders and strengthening their involvement in follow-up activities, RCCDN is promoting community ownership and shared responsibility for sustainable land restoration. As trusted representatives, Village and Isibo leaders play a vital role in encouraging households to protect and maintain planted trees, monitor their progress and address challenges early. Through the TerraFund RestoreLocal Project, RCCDN continues to work with local communities and leaders to ensure that restoration efforts deliver lasting results. Because successful land restoration is not measured only by the number of trees planted, but by the number that survive, grow and contribute to healthier landscapes and more resilient communities.
