Since the Embedding Integrated Water Resource Management in Rwanda (EWMR) Project launched in 2019 it has operationalized a participatory community approach in 100 villages featuring community-level planning and local-level ownership of Landscape Restoration and Integrated Water Resources Management processes. Completed Village Land Use Action Plans (VLUAPs) have been validated and approved by the Rwanda Water Resources Board and local governments in Rwanda and are now informing Landscape Restoration, Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and livelihood interventions across the Sebeya Catchment.
The EWMR Project aims at increasing livelihood and conservation benefits in Sebeya (and other) catchments from landscape restoration and improved natural resource management. To achieve this, the project is piloting participatory community-based approaches in the five sub-catchments of the Sebeya Catchment. This participatory approach has enabled the EWMR project to contribute to improved landscape management for sustainable socio-economic and climate-resilient development through:
- Reduced land degradation, river sedimentation and flooding
- Improved income and resilience from sustainable use of landscape resources
- Operational landscape governance and management institutions
- Evidence-based guidelines on the landscape approach (through knowledge management)
The articles below highlight some of the best practises and lessons learned in Sebeya Catchment and which are being scaled to other catchments in Rwanda:
- Community Mobilization increases through engagement in landscape restoration planning and implementation
- Greening Byumba and Nyagatare by embracing agroforestry and other approaches
- Innovative investments promoted for improved livelihoods & conservation benefits
- Local communities take lead in Sebeya Catchment conservation
- Scaling Up Catchment Planning in Rwanda
- Supporting the Rwanda Water Resources Board to strengthen the Water Management Information System (MIS)
Links to EWMR Project media coverage:
- Charles Karangwa answers 10 questions on Embedding Integrated Water Resource Management in Sebeya Catchment: “Church leaders also play an important role
- 8,000 farmers secure jobs to address Sebeya River floods
- Sebeya’s previous care plan remains relevant to the smooth progress of catchment Rehabilitation activities
- Rwanda Sets Ambitious Reforestation Targets
- Uko umushinga wo kubungabunga Sebeya uri gufasha abatuye Nyabihu na Rubavu
