Kigali – The Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA) hosted a delegation from KfW for an appraisal mission of the proposed Strengthening Climate Resilience of Districts Project, a major initiative aimed at enhancing the resilience of communities, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure to climate-related risks in Rubavu, Karongi, and Rusizi districts.

The appraisal mission marks an important milestone in the project preparation process, providing an opportunity for stakeholders to review the project's design, implementation arrangements, financing mechanisms, institutional responsibilities, and expected development impact before implementation.

The proposed project, estimated at approximately EUR 30 million seeks to strengthen the protection of people, livelihoods, and social and economic infrastructure against the increasing effects of climate change in vulnerable areas of the Lake Kivu corridor.

The project is expected to benefit both communities living in climate-risk-prone areas and populations that rely on the social and economic services provided by the secondary cities of Rubavu, Karongi, and Rusizi. By reducing vulnerability to climate hazards, the initiative aims to contribute to safer communities, more resilient infrastructure, and sustainable local economic development.

During the mission, discussions focused on the project's development objective, implementation arrangements, financing framework, environmental and social safeguards, procurement mechanisms, monitoring and evaluation systems, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the various institutions that will be involved in implementation.

The proposed project will combine Nature-based Solutions, and Conventional Solutions to address climate-related risks and strengthen resilience in the targeted districts. Planned interventions include reforestation and vegetation conservation, green terraces, rainwater retention measures, infiltration areas, urban drainage systems, slope stabilization works, retaining walls, gabions, and other protective infrastructure designed to reduce the impacts of flooding, erosion, landslides, and other climate-related hazards.

The project is aligned with Rwanda's national climate adaptation and sustainable development priorities and is expected to support efforts to build resilient cities and communities capable of withstanding the growing impacts of climate change.

Speaking during the appraisal mission, the Director General of LODA Claudine NYINAWAGAGA, emphasized the importance of ensuring that communities remain at the center of climate resilience interventions.

“We are ready to work closely with KfW and all stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of this initiative. What we really need is to ensure that communities are engaged throughout the process and understand what climate resilience means. Sustainable resilience begins with informed and empowered communities that actively participate in identifying solutions and take ownership of the measures implemented in their areas,” she said.

She further noted that while investments in infrastructure and environmental protection are essential, long-term success will depend on the active involvement of local communities in planning, implementation, and maintenance of resilience measures.

The appraisal mission also provided an opportunity for LODA and KfW experts to discuss implementation readiness and the next steps required to advance the project toward approval and implementation. The findings and recommendations from the mission will contribute to the final appraisal report and inform subsequent project preparation processes.

Once implemented, the Strengthening Climate Resilience of Districts Project is expected to play a significant role in enhancing climate resilience, protecting livelihoods and infrastructure, and improving the well-being of communities in Rubavu, Karongi, and Rusizi.