Democratic Republic of Congo - Integrated REDD Pilot Project around the Luki Biosphere Reserve in Mayombe Forest

The proposed operation is a grant of EUR 2,34 million from Congo Basin Forest Fund (CBFF) resources to the DRC Government to finance the REDD Pilot Project Around the Luki Biosphere Reserve (LBR) in the Mayombe Forest. This project is in a very new field – Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD), a sector that is marginally represented in the Bank?s portfolio of operations. It covers three of CBFF?s thematic areas, namely: (i) forest management and sustainable practice; (ii) ecological and socioeconomic monitoring and baseline data; and (iii) benefits of the carbon market and payments for ecosystem services. Consequently, the project needs to establish and maintain woodlands, ensure controlled savannah management, protect about 20,000 ha of natural forests, sensitize and build the capacity of stakeholders, help to establish a cohesive REDD framework, etc. These activities will be implemented by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Belgium under partnership agreements signed or to be signed with various specialized agencies. CBFF is requested to provide financial resources in the form of a grant. Project duration is 3 years.