Kigali – From 29th to 30th November 2017, LODA & KfW conjointly organized a workshop on Environmental & Social Management Framework (ESMF) & Land Acquisition and Resettlement Policy Framework (LACRPF), the purpose of which is to fine-tune a framework for environmental and social safeguards for all LG development projects. “From the next financial year, we shall ensure that all LG development projects cater for environmental and social safeguards aspects”, declared SIBOMANA Saidi, Division Manager of Local Development Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation at LODA. This commitment implies a more diligent approach to consider impacts of infrastructure development projects on the environment itself and people’s lives in terms of health and safety, land acquisition and compensation, etc. The framework in pipeline shall mostly refer to the World Bank (WB) standards and Rwanda’s legal context on land, environment, expropriation, etc. The first session of the workshop was held at Nobleza Hotel on 29th November and targeted central level institutions including Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Rwanda Energy Group Ltd (REG), Water and Sanitation Corporation Ltd (WASAC), Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA), Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI), International Union for Conservation of Nature - Rwanda (IUCN - Rwanda), Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA), and Rwanda’s Green Fund (FONERWA). The second session on 30th November involved the Districts of Gasabo, Kicukiro, Nyarugenge, Gakenke, Kamonyi, and Ngororero.