As part of the second phase of the project to make the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve a regional center of excellence for biodiversity and climate, UNESCO organized a capacity-building workshop for local stakeholders from June 2 to 4, 2025. This initiative is part of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program and aims to support efforts for the sustainable management of forest ecosystems in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The primary objective of the workshop was to enhance local skills in assessing and managing biosphere reserves, integrating community-based ecosystem approaches (CBEA-S) into local policies, and improving the administrative and financial management of conservation projects.

ERAIFT actively participated in this meeting, which brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including Yangambi Reserve managers, CEPA members, representatives from civil society, researchers, public institutions, and technical and financial partners. Participants benefited from theoretical and practical sessions focused on in-situ and ex-situ conservation, participatory reserve assessment, and CEPA governance. The workshop also promoted better synergy among the various stakeholders involved in managing the Yangambi landscape, to strengthen coordination in the interests of sustainable development and resilience to climate change.

ERAIFT warmly welcomes this initiative and extends its sincere thanks to the European Union and UNESCO for their technical and financial support. It also thanks all the partners involved in the preservation and enhancement of the Yangambi Reserve.