81306806-Appui à la protection de la biodiversité et au développement durable du paysage TRIDOM en République du Congo

The project "Biodiversity and sustainable development in the landscape Tri-national Dja-Odzala-Minkébé (TRIDOM)" is part of the German cooperation program "Sustainable forest management in the Congo Basin" with the Central African Forest Commission (COMIFAC) as political and main implementing partner. The German contribution financed by BMZ is implemented by GIZ with a project duration from September 2023 to August 2027. Following an integrated landscape approach, it aims at the protection and sustainable use of biodiversity and forest resources in the TRIDOM region (about 7,5 % of the Congo Basin), spanning over Cameroun, Republic of Congo and Gabon. The Dja-Odzala-Minkébé (TRIDOM) protected area complex spans a densely forested, but very sparsely inhabited area half the size of Germany. It is made up of 24 per cent protected areas, 65 per cent forest concessions and 11 per cent other areas used for forestry, agriculture, housing and infrastructure and is designated a priority among the Congo Basin"s landscapes by the COMIFAC"s convergence plan. TRIDOM is one of the most intact forest areas globally and crucial for climate and water regulation and biodiversity protection. Pressure for infrastructure development, resource exploitation (timber, gold, iron) and land conversion are increasing with associated conflicts of interest that also involve local populations including indigenous people. Despite its wealth in resources poverty prevails due to inadequate infrastructure, governance and market connections. The competencies of the numerous actors involved to negotiate conflicts of interest are inadequate given weak state structures and little social organization. Despite a trilateral TRIDOM agreement being in force since 2005 and several donor-supported initiatives for improved cross-border cooperation, currently, there exists no effective management and coordination structure at tri-national level that involves all stakeholders. The overall goal of the project is: The involvement of state, private sector and civil society actors in the sustainable, biodiversity-preserving development of the Tri-national Dja-Odzala-Minkébé landscape is well established. The target group is the rural population of TRIDOM with an estimated 300.000 inhabitants including about 10.000 Baka. The project aims to develop and strengthen capacities of the three stakeholder groups public sector, private sector and civil society for a coherent and effective interaction with a view to conserving biodiversity and sustainable development in the TRIDOM forest landscape. On the one hand it starts at the landscape level by strengthening the official trilateral TRIDOM organs. This includes both the high-level steering structure made up of the forestry ministries concerned and the multi-stakeholder forums provided for in the agreement. The project"s focus will be on facilitating a high level of participation by stakeholders from the private sector and civil society as well as, increasingly, representatives of sectoral authorities beyond forest and nature conservation. On the other hand, at the implementation level, specific local development solutions are generated in cooperation with the private sector and local authorities, then disseminated through horizontal and vertical exchanges.