On April 24, 2025, ERAIFT, a Category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO participated in a workshop focused on developing the Joint Work Plan between UNESCO and the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The workshop took place at the UNESCO Office in Kinshasa/Gombe.
Organized by UNESCO, the workshop aimed to collaboratively and inclusively co-design a structured and coherent action plan for 2025, in close partnership with the MAB/RDC Programme.
This one-day workshop (from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) was structured around the following key priorities:
• Reviewing the achievements, challenges, and lessons learned from the implementation of the MAB Programme in the DRC over the past year;
• Defining strategic priorities for 2025, aligned with national policies, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the specific characteristics of Congolese biosphere reserves;
• Outlining concrete actions to achieve these priorities, including clear objectives, specific activities, expected outcomes, relevant monitoring indicators, and detailed implementation strategies;
• Identifying key partners for each action, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities;
• Establishing effective mechanisms for coordination, monitoring, and evaluation, and exploring funding opportunities to support implementation;
• Strengthening collaboration and information-sharing among the various stakeholders involved in the MAB/RDC Programme.
At the end of the workshop, an operational roadmap was developed. This roadmap details actionable steps for each strategic priority, including measurable objectives, expected outcomes, performance indicators, realistic timelines, and a matrix of key partners, with a clear description of their roles and responsibilities.
ERAIFT extends its heartfelt thanks to all organizers, especially UNESCO, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD), and the National Commission for UNESCO (CDN), for the excellent organization of the event. ERAIFT also expresses deep appreciation to UNESCO for funding this initiative and warmly thanks the European Union and AGRINATURA for their continued trust and support. The same gratitude is extended to the European Union for its financial support to the regional master's programme and for its continued trust.