Building Adaptive Capacity and Resilience of Women and Children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Building Adaptive Capacity and Resilience of Women and Children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Climate change and its effects on rainfall patterns and temperatures are exacerbating the vulnerability of rural communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Women in particular, who represent 60% of agricultural labourers and 73% of farmers, and produce 80% of food crops for household consumption, are at risk. Several dynamics make their adaptation more difficult such as lack of access to formal education, economic poverty, food insecurity, limited access to resources, etc. These inequalities increase women’s vulnerability to harmful climate change impacts while limiting their options for coping and adaptation. 

The GEF-LDCF funded project, Building Adaptive Capacity and Resilience of Women and Children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, seeks to support women and children through a community-centred approach to adopt and adapt livelihood strategies in innovative ways based on current and future climate changes scenarios. 

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Project details

Levels of intervention

  • Community

Key implementers

  • National Governments

Funding amounts

$4,725,000

$15,500,000

Project partners

  • Department of Environment, Nature Conservation and Tourism, Democratic Republic of Congo
  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
  • Global Environment Facility (GEF)

Introduction

Climate change and its effects on rainfall patterns and temperatures are exacerbating the vulnerability of rural communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Women in particular, who represent 60% of agricultural labourers and 73% of farmers, and produce 80% of food crops for household consumption, are at risk. Several dynamics make their adaptation more difficult such as lack of access to formal education, economic poverty, food insecurity, limited access to resources, etc. These inequalities increase women’s vulnerability to harmful climate change impacts while limiting their options for coping and adaptation. 

The GEF-LDCF funded project, Building Adaptive Capacity and Resilience of Women and Children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, seeks to support women and children through a community-centred approach to adopt and adapt livelihood strategies in innovative ways based on current and future climate changes scenarios. 

GEF

Project details

More Information to come...

Thematic Area
Area
Agriculture/Food Security
Climate-related hazards addressed:
Land Degradation and Deforestation
Level of intervention
  • Community
Key collaborators
  • National Governments
Primary beneficiaries:
The women and children of the rural communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Implementing agencies and partnering organizations
  • Department of Environment, Nature Conservation and Tourism, Democratic Republic of Congo
  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
  • Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Project status
Completed
Financing amount
$4,725,000
Co-financing total

$15,500,000

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Key results & output

The project has two main components with the following outcomes –

  1. Climate resilient diversification practices to secure communities livelihoods including the development of profitable climate resilient alternative livelihoods involving aquaculture, livestock and agriculture products by women groups to increase sources of revenue and improve family nutrition (Outcome 1.1); Installation of at least 200 unsophisticated food processing units (oil presses, presses and grated cassava, husking machines and millers, etc.) and fish conservation units by women's groups (Outcome 1.2); Production and distribution of certified adapted varieties of  at least 400 seeds multipliers through support of 50 women groups (Outcome 1.3);  Provision of 4 automated agro-meteorological stations and 400 rain-gauge for tailored agro-meteorological information (Outcome 1.4) and; Installation of small scale water saving technologies and distribution systems in high climate risks zone (Outcome 1.5)
  2. Development of key capacities for undertaking climate resilient activities including training and engagement of women's groups in food processing, processing technology, maintenance of units, rural finance, marketing and organization strategies (Outcome 2.1); Engagement of women’s groups in adapted seeds production and diversification, soil fertility and water management activities (Outcome 2.2); Extending support to nearly 10 rural radio stations and 100 community volunteers as well as producers and staffs from extension services to analyse, interpret, produce and disseminate climate and weather information (Outcome 2.3) and; Establishment of community learning mechanisms through website, technical papers, video, technical forums, and other relevant media/social networks (Outcome 2.4).

Programme meetings & workshops

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Reports & publications

PIFs
Democratic Republic of the Congo – LDCF Project on resilience of Women and Children Project Identification Form

Videos & multimedia

Monitoring & evaluation

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Links

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Contacts