As part of the implementation of the AVENIR project in Maï-Ndombe Province, ERAIFT conducted a mission from July 8 to 26, 2025, to support the development of the Simple Land Use Plan (PSAT) for the Mbala 2 region, situated in the Mushie territory. This mission was carried out in collaboration with the Federation of Agricultural Producers of Maï-Ndombe (FOPAM), which provided local coordination.

Conducted in a participatory and inclusive manner, the activity placed the local community at the center of the PSAT process. In partnership with FOPAM, ERAIFT updated the boundaries of the terroir, inventoried and mapped available natural resources, and identified the main challenges related to sustainable resource management, local development and land use allocation.

With the active involvement of the population, priority objectives and concrete actions have been defined to promote sustainable management of natural resources and support local development. The data collected has been validated by the local community during debrief meetings. This data will serve as the basis for finalizing the PSAT, which will soon be submitted for official approval by the local population. Through this action, ERAIFT is fulfilling one of its four core missions, namely serving society.

ERAIFT would like to thank the AVENIR project, IFAD and all other technical and financial partners for their valuable support in carrying out this mission. It also extends its sincere thanks to FOPAM for its effective support at the local level. Finally, ERAIFT expresses its sincere gratitude to the local authorities and the population of Mbala 2 for their warm welcome and active participation in this activity, which is crucial for the sustainable development of the local community.

Participatory discussion and exchange on development priorities and land allocation in the Mbala 2 region

From July 1st to 4th, 2025, the Regional Postgraduate Training School on Integrated Management of Tropical Forests and Lands (ERAIFT) took part in a hands-on workshop in Yangambi focused on the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing. The training centered on harnessing data from satellite imagery and drones to support better management of tropical ecosystems.

Organized by UNESCO under its Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, the workshop is part of the second phase of a project funded by the Directorate-General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (DGD) of the Kingdom of Belgium. The project aims to transform the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve into a regional center of excellence for biodiversity conservation and climate action.

The workshop was designed to equip reserve managers and technical partners with practical skills in geospatial data collection and analysis, vegetation and biodiversity monitoring through mapping, and the assessment of forest cover degradation to support evidence-based decision-making. Participants engaged in both theoretical and practical sessions, covering the fundamentals of GIS, the use of geospatial technologies, drone programming and piloting, as well as data processing from drone and satellite imagery.

ERAIFT welcomes this valuable initiative, which significantly strengthens local capacity for the sustainable management of forest ecosystems in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The institution extends its sincere thanks to the Kingdom of Belgium, through the DGD, for funding this second phase of the project, and to UNESCO for its technical and operational support. ERAIFT also expresses its appreciation to all partners committed to safeguarding the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve — a flagship site for sustainable development in the heart of the Congo Basin.

ERAIFT, actively took part in the National Stakeholder Consultation Workshop held from June 26 to 27, 2025, at the Rotana Hotel, Kinshasa-DRC, organized by WWF-DRC as part of the development of its 2026–2030 Strategic Plan.

This workshop brought together around fifty stakeholders, including government institutions, national and international NGOs, civil society organizations, diplomatic representatives, and technical and financial partners. It aimed to build a consensual, inclusive, and forward-looking strategy aligned with national priorities and global conservation commitments such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement.

ERAIFT had the opportunity to contribute, notably through the analysis of conservation programs (forests, species, freshwater, cross-cutting programs), and the consideration of potential synergies with research and training institutions.

ERAIFT’s involvement in this process is consistent with its core mission to strengthen Africa’s scientific and technical capacities, to generate knowledge and contribute to evidence-based policymaking in the field of environment and natural resource management in Central Africa.

By taking part in this strategic initiative, ERAIFT reaffirms its readiness to collaborate with stakeholders, support interinstitutional synergies, and go with the implementation of WWF-DRC’s new conservation strategy.

ERAIFT expresses its sincere thanks to WWF-DRC for its visionary approach and for involving academic and research institutions in this strategic process. The school also extends our warm appreciation to all stakeholders and participants for their constructive inputs and the quality of dialogue throughout the workshop. Finally, we express our gratitude to the European Union and AGRINATURA for the resources made available for this event.