From March 4th to 7th, 2024, members of the GCF Board convened in Kigali for a meeting that decided on environmental conservation projects to fund.
Mafalda Duarte commended the Rwandan government, under Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente, for exemplary utilization of the grants provided to combat climate change.
"The Rwandan government has been exceptional in collaborating with us, to the extent that it now receives funds to implement environmental protection projects. Some of our board members remarked that Rwanda has much to share with the world, demonstrating how to gather environmental fund resources like ours to support various projects," Duarte said.
Duarte mentioned that they chose Rwanda for the GCF board meeting so the members could directly observe the positive outcomes of the funded projects in Rwanda.
"We are delighted to take the GCF board members to see the fruitful results of the projects we’ve been funding here in Rwanda, to truly show the importance of our support and how it is utilized. I am confident they will be as pleased as I was during my last visit in September 2023," she stated.
The Green Gicumbi Project, initiated in January 2020 after Rwanda received over $32 million from the GCF in 2019, is being implemented by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA).
The Minister of Environment, Dr. Mujawamariya Jeanne d’Arc, revealed that the GCF board members were shown the Green Gicumbi Project, which has transformed the lives of the local residents.
"They visited Green Gicumbi to see our work beyond just sitting in offices and making project decisions, to witnessing the impact on the community," she explained.
"They toured the terraces we’ve built, saw the planted wheat, tea, and the agroforestry on those farms, as well as the energy-saving stoves and a model village where we resettled people from high-risk zones.
They were amazed by how our project integrates all aspects, including the well-being of the community and economic aspects where the residents themselves provide testimonies."
Dr. Mujawamariya also mentioned plans to propose projects focused on forest conservation and renewable energy, with the GCF Director promising support.
In 2022, the GCF granted Rwanda $35 million for environmental protection and climate change adaptation projects across the Eastern Province.
Additionally, in October 2023, Rwanda received another $100 million, including $39.1 million allocated for afforestation projects in various districts. This initiative will contribute to forest care on 278,000 hectares and promote agroforestry on at least 2,000 hectares.
The GCF Director also commended Rwanda for hosting the 38th board meeting, which resulted in various decisions, including the funding of 11 projects worth $500 million. These projects, primarily in Africa, include efforts in Madagascar, a country severely affected by climate change.
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