The Forest Investment Program (FIP) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reached its conclusion after more than a decade of efforts to mitigate human impact on vital tropical forests. The program, initially funded with $60 million from the Climate Investment Funds, has impacted over 421,000 people living near major cities such as Kinshasa, Kisangani, Mbuji-Mayi, and Kananga.
In collaboration with the World Bank and African Development Bank, FIP initiatives have focused on agroforestry, clean energy, and community-driven forest management. These efforts have reduced emissions and supported private sector involvement while unlocking up to $55 million in carbon credits. Continued support is deemed crucial for maintaining these results.
Two key projects funded by FIP include the $70 million Improved Forested Landscape Management Project (IFLMP) around Kinshasa and the Forest Dependent Community Support Project (FDCSP), which aids Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities affected by REDD+ policies. A third project, the $22 million Integrated REDD+ Project in Mbuji-Mayi/Kananga and Kisangani basins, was managed by the African Development Bank.
The DRC's forests are essential for local livelihoods and global ecological balance but face threats from slash-and-burn agriculture and charcoal production. In 2020 alone, deforestation resulted in significant carbon dioxide emissions. FIP-supported activities like afforestation, reforestation, improved cookstoves distribution, sustainable charcoal-making techniques introduction, alternative energy sources development, and community infrastructure building have helped alleviate pressure on these forests.
Key takeaways from FIP include its role as a catalytic fund for REDD+ in the DRC. It has facilitated emission reductions through tree planting southwest and northeast of Kinshasa. This groundwork will enable performance-based payments under an Emission Reductions Payment Agreement signed in 2018 with disbursements expected to begin in 2025.
FIP's innovative approach targeted deforestation hotspots near urban centers effectively addressing supply- and demand-side drivers of deforestation. The program is projected to achieve a reduction or avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to over 31 million tons of CO2 eq over the next decade.
Private sector engagement through wood-energy supply chains introduced matching grants supporting seven firms producing clean cookstoves. This effort attracted $186,000 in private investment placing nearly 90,000 cookstoves on urban markets.
Land management approaches engaged local actors facilitating conflict mediation scaling up sustainable forest management across provinces while strengthening customary land rights aligning them with evolving regulatory frameworks.
FIP funding also drew additional resources establishing foundations for broader objectives including $26 million from CAFI for IFMLP and $5.9 million from Global Environment Facility alongside catalyzing $1.8 million from CAFI through Dedicated Grant Mechanism for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.
The program shared learning among indigenous peoples enhancing cohabitation gender integration within planning decision-making structures leading to developments like a landmark law recognizing Indigenous Peoples' rights adopted in 2022.