GLA-ToC-Strengthening the inclusive and sustainable forest governance to the benefit of local communities and the safeguard of key ecosystems services in in the North-South Kivu and Ituri forested landscapes in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The GLA program in DRC focuses on two landscapes: the Landscape Center of Ituri, Mongala and Tshopo and the Landscape East Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega in North Kivu and South Kivu. In general the two landscapes are characterized by poverty and decay of the economic fabric of the population with their total dependence on natural resources. These natural resources of the DRC are abundant but the challenges to sustain them are also enormous. The two landscapes face many threats from illegal mining, poaching, agricultural expansion, and deforestation. The levels of deforestation and degradation of forests are highly variable depending on the areas and population density. Despite this context, securing the livelihoods of local communities represents an opportunity to protect the forest ecosystems of both Landscapes Center and East. Their protection for present and future generation will contribute to the fight against poverty, for food security and the preservation of water sources and biodiversity.