Kinshasa – A concrete step has just been taken in the fight against deforestation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The National Forest Fund (FFN) is set to launch, in the coming days, the financing of reforestation projects across the national territory. The announcement was made this Friday during a press briefing led by the institution’s Director General, Mr. Assani Ongala Hassan.
Aware of the risks of inefficiency or embezzlement, the FFN has put in place a strict eligibility system aimed at ensuring transparency and the real impact of the supported projects. Among the required criteria are:
- Technical and financial capacity of project proponents: Only NGOs with proven experience in reforestation will be considered. In other words, organizations that have already planted trees in the past and have the human, material, and financial resources to do so effectively will have a better chance of being selected.
- The solidity of the proposed project, including a rigorous monitoring plan and measurable indicators. A mere intention to plant trees is not enough. Applicants must present a clear plan explaining how, where, and when the trees will be planted, as well as how they will ensure long-term survival (for example, through quarterly survival checks).
- Proof of land ownership : Any organization wishing to operate in a specific area must present legal documents proving land ownership or authorization to use the land. This avoids situations where NGOs plant trees on land they do not own or that is subject to disputes. For example, an NGO wanting to reforest 1,000 hectares must provide documents proving they are legally allowed to work on that land.
- Official recognition by the competent authorities, particularly the Ministry of Environment, and full administrative and financial compliance. NGOs must be legally registered, financially transparent, and comply with national laws.
“Too often, ambitious NGOs are disqualified due to invalid land titles or poorly prepared applications,” emphasized the Director General.
To minimize risks of mismanagement, the funds will not be disbursed in a single payment. An initial installment will be released upon project approval, while subsequent tranches will depend on the submission of detailed quarterly reports and on-site verification by FFN’s provincial offices. This means the money will be disbursed gradually, and only if the work progresses as planned. Every three months, NGOs will have to demonstrate progress, which FFN agents will verify on the ground.
“We have learned from past experiences. With this system, the room for dubious practices is extremely limited,” stated Assani Ongala.
For the current year, the FFN aims to finance approximately 1,000 hectares of reforestation, at a cost of $1,800 per hectare, totaling a global budget of nearly $2 million. To put it in perspective: one hectare is roughly the size of a football field. Reforesting 1,000 hectares is equivalent to replanting trees across 1,000 football fields! At $1,800 per hectare, this budget covers the cost of seedlings, labor, maintenance, and field monitoring.
This is a notable ambition, especially in a context where the Fund’s resources are heavily impacted by ongoing security instability in the eastern part of the country. Armed conflicts in Eastern DRC complicate fundraising and project implementation in certain regions. Nevertheless, the FFN remains committed to its environmental mission.
Despite these challenges, the institution continues to devote nearly 30% of its annual revenue to reforestation projects. In other words, for every $100 it receives, FFN reserves $30 solely for tree planting — a strong choice in a country with many competing needs.
The DRC, home to the second-largest tropical forest in the world after the Amazon, is at the heart of global climate issues. Every hectare reforested is a step toward ecosystem restoration, biodiversity preservation, and climate change mitigation.
Through this program, the FFN not only aims to restore national forest cover but also to strengthen local capacity for sustainable forest management. This also involves training and equipping local communities so they can manage forests responsibly and derive sustainable income without destroying them. The official launch ceremony will take place in the coming days. Environmental stakeholders, technical and financial partners, and local NGOs are called upon to mobilize for this crucial undertaking — one that holds high stakes for the country’s ecological future.
By Kilalopress