Overview
This Initiative aims to promote sustainable development in the Virunga landscape through public and private investments, natural resource governance, agricultural value chains and access to renewable energy sources.
The improved management of the ecosystems and prevention of poaching has led to a growth of the wildlife population in the park. Moreover, EU support to green value chains is focusing on local transformation and traceability, fostering private initiatives such as a chocolate factory, the 'Virunga Origins' trademark, a local palm oil soap factory (Sicovir), a cold chain for fisheries from the Lake Edward, the relaunch of the wheat production, a papaya enzyme transformation plant to increase production for the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and baby food industries.
The energy component of the project includes the construction of the Rwanguba-1 (14MW) and Matebe (13 MW) hydropower plants, as well as the ongoing construction of the Rwanguba-2 (14 MW) hydropower plant. The combined investment will ensure the largest electricity supply in Eastern DRC.
Working with communities and women organisations is at the heart of the action. The development of a multimodal corridor linking Eastern DRC to Kinshasa via Kisangani will contribute to increasing communities' resilience, food security and expanding the markets for agricultural production. This 2600 km long and 544,000 km2 wide "Green Corridor" was established on 15 January 2025 by decree of Prime Minister with the status of protected area.
