EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Posted on January 12, 2026January 26, 2026 by admin

EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

RECOR’s Education for Sustainable Development Program equips learners and communities with Knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes needed to promote environmental stewardship, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.

Why It Matters

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) plays a critical role in building a responsible, resilient, and environmentally conscious society in Rwanda. ESD focuses on helping learners understand the links between environmental protection, climate change, biodiversity conservation, socio-economic development, and human well-being.

In Rwanda, ESD is integrated into formal, non-formal, and community-based education systems. Sustainability concepts such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, renewable energy, water and sanitation, waste management, and responsible citizenship are embedded in national curricula at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Schools promote practical, hands-on learning through activities such as school gardens, tree planting, waste management, and water conservation.

Beyond schools, ESD is advanced through community education, youth engagement, women’s groups, cooperatives, and civil society organizations. Public awareness campaigns and partnerships strengthen community participation in sustainable practices, support lifelong learning, and encourage local action to address environmental and climate challenges.

RECOR’s Approach

RECOR promotes Education for Sustainable Development through inclusive, participatory, and action-oriented learning approaches, including:

Integrating sustainability concepts into formal and non-formal education
Supporting teacher training and institutional capacity building
Promoting practical, hands-on learning for environmental action
Engaging youth, women, and community groups in sustainability education
Linking education with climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods
Promoting indigenous knowledge and local solutions
Using digital tools and innovative learning methods to expand outreach

Objectives

Increase environmental and climate change awareness
Improve understanding of climate change causes, impacts, and adaptation options while raising awareness on biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.
Promote sustainable lifestyles and behavior change
Encourage sustainable consumption and production practices, waste reduction, recycling, energy efficiency, and water conservation.
Strengthen climate change adaptation and resilience knowledge
Build community capacity to anticipate and respond to climate risks and promote local and indigenous resilience solutions.
Integrate sustainability into community learning structures
Mainstream ESD into schools, TVETs, community learning centers, and informal education while supporting lifelong learning initiatives.
Empower youth, women, and vulnerable groups
Promote inclusive and gender-responsive education approaches and strengthen leadership skills for community-based environmental action.
Support sustainable livelihoods through skills development
Link education to green jobs, entrepreneurship, and income-generating activities in areas such as climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, ecotourism, and conservation.
Strengthen community participation and ownership
Promote participatory learning, dialogue, and community-led planning for sustainable development.
Promote peace, values, and responsible citizenship
Foster values of responsibility, solidarity, respect for nature, ethical leadership, and sustainable governance.
Enhance use of digital and innovative learning tools
Promote ICT-enabled learning, media outreach, mobile platforms, and local language content for sustainability education.

Alignment

This program aligns with Rwanda’s national education, environment, and climate frameworks, including:

Vision 2050
National Strategy for Transformation (NST2)
National Environment and Climate Change Policy
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG 4 – Quality Education
- SDG 13 – Climate Action
- SDG 5 – Gender Equality
- SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production

COMMUNITY LIVELIHOODS

Posted on January 12, 2026January 21, 2026 by admin

COMMUNITY LIVELIHOODS

RECOR’s Community Livelihoods Program strengthens income security, resilience, and well-being of communities by promoting sustainable, climate-resilient, and inclusive livelihood opportunities linked to natural resource management.

Why It Matters

Community livelihoods in Rwanda are closely linked to natural resources, agriculture, and small-scale economic activities, and play a central role in poverty reduction and sustainable development. The majority of communities depend on rain-fed agriculture, livestock rearing, fisheries, and forestry-related activities for food and income.

Smallholder farming dominates rural livelihoods, with key crops including beans, maize, bananas, coffee, tea, and horticultural products. Livestock such as cattle, goats, and poultry contribute to household nutrition, income generation, and soil fertility through manure use.

However, community livelihoods are increasingly affected by climate change, land degradation, and population pressure. These challenges result in reduced agricultural productivity, soil erosion, and income insecurity. Women and youth—despite their central role in production and household welfare—often face additional barriers to accessing land, finance, skills, and markets.

Strengthening community livelihoods through sustainable and diversified income sources is therefore essential for food security, resilience to shocks, social cohesion, and long-term sustainable development across Rwanda.

RECOR’s Approach

RECOR promotes inclusive and climate-resilient livelihoods through integrated community-based approaches, including:

Promoting climate-smart agriculture and agroforestry practices
Supporting sustainable fisheries, beekeeping, and ecotourism enterprises
Strengthening value addition and market access for smallholder producers
Supporting community cooperatives, savings groups, and local enterprises
Enhancing skills development and entrepreneurship for youth and women
Integrating livelihoods with environmental conservation and restoration
Linking livelihoods with social protection and resilience-building initiatives

Objectives

Reduce poverty and improve household incomes
Increase income-generating opportunities for rural and urban communities and reduce vulnerability to economic and climate shocks.
Promote sustainable and climate-resilient livelihoods
Integrate climate-smart agriculture, agroforestry, and natural resource-based enterprises while strengthening adaptive capacity.
Enhance skills development and employment
Build technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial skills among youth and women and promote decent work and self-employment.
Support inclusive economic participation
Empower women, youth, and vulnerable groups to participate in livelihood activities and decision-making processes.
Strengthen agricultural productivity and value chains
Improve productivity in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and agro-processing through value addition and market linkages.
Promote natural resource management and environmental conservation
Support livelihoods that reduce pressure on forests, wetlands, and biodiversity while promoting sustainable land and water use.
Enhance community resilience and social protection
Strengthen household resilience to economic, health, and climate shocks and integrate livelihoods with social protection programs.
Foster local economic development
Support SMEs, local value chains, innovation, and entrepreneurship to strengthen rural–urban economic linkages.
Strengthen community ownership and governance
Promote participatory planning, strengthen local institutions, and ensure accountability and sustainability of livelihood interventions.

Alignment

This program aligns with Rwanda’s national development and resilience frameworks, including:

Vision 2050
National Strategy for Transformation (NST2)
EDPRS legacy goals
Social Protection Programs (e.g., VUP)
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG 1 – No Poverty
- SDG 2 – Zero Hunger
- SDG 5 – Gender Equality
- SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 13 – Climate Action
- SDG 15 – Life on Land

WATER, HYGIENE & SANITATION (WASH)

Posted on January 12, 2026January 21, 2026 by admin

WATER, HYGIENE & SANITATION (WASH)

RECOR’s WASH Program works to improve access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services while strengthening climate resilience, public health, and community well-being across Rwanda.

Why It Matters

Water, hygiene, and sanitation are critical to public health, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic development in Rwanda. The country has made notable progress in expanding access to safe drinking water, improved sanitation, and hygiene services through national programs and community-based initiatives.

Water supply systems draw from springs, rivers, lakes, groundwater, and rainwater harvesting, serving both urban and rural populations. Improved access to safe water has contributed to reduced waterborne diseases and improved community health and well-being.

Sanitation and hygiene remain key priorities, particularly in rural areas and informal settlements. Improved household latrines, school and health facility WASH infrastructure, handwashing with soap, and proper waste management are essential for preventing disease and promoting dignity.

WASH services are closely linked to climate change and environmental management. Flooding, droughts, and landslides can damage water infrastructure and contaminate water sources, increasing health risks. Protecting watersheds, wetlands, and water sources through forest and landscape restoration is therefore essential for long-term water security and climate resilience.

RECOR’s Approach

RECOR supports sustainable and inclusive WASH services through community-based and climate-resilient approaches, including:

Improving access to safe and reliable water services
Promoting improved sanitation and hygiene practices
Supporting Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) initiatives
Strengthening WASH infrastructure in schools, health facilities, and public spaces
Promoting watershed protection and sustainable water resource management
Integrating climate resilience into WASH planning and infrastructure
Ensuring gender-sensitive, inclusive, and community-driven WASH solutions

Objectives

Ensure national access to safe drinking water
Increase equitable access to reliable and affordable safe water services in both rural and urban areas, while reducing the burden on women and children and improving water quality monitoring.
Improve sanitation coverage and end open defecation
Promote improved household and public latrines and eliminate open defecation through Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS).
Promote hygiene practices and behavior change
Strengthen handwashing with soap, promote menstrual hygiene management (MHM), and integrate hygiene education into schools and community programs.
Strengthen WASH in institutions and public spaces
Ensure adequate WASH facilities in schools, health centers, markets, and public places, including inclusive and disability-friendly infrastructure.
Enhance water resource protection and sustainability
Protect water catchments, wetlands, and watersheds, promote rainwater harvesting, and strengthen integrated water resources management (IWRM).
Build climate-resilient WASH systems
Develop infrastructure resilient to floods, droughts, and climate variability and promote climate-smart water supply technologies.
Reduce public health risks
Prevent waterborne and sanitation-related diseases such as diarrhea and cholera through improved environmental sanitation and strong linkages between WASH and public health systems.

Alignment

This program aligns with Rwanda’s national and global development frameworks, including:

Vision 2050
National Strategy for Transformation (NST2)
National Water Supply Policy
National Sanitation Policy
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 6): Clean Water and Sanitation
National Environment and Climate Change Policy

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Posted on January 12, 2026January 21, 2026 by admin

RENEWABLE ENERGY

RECOR’s Renewable Energy Program promotes clean, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions to support climate resilience, reduce environmental degradation, and improve livelihoods across Rwanda.

Why It Matters

Renewable energy is a key pillar of Rwanda’s strategy for sustainable development, climate resilience, and universal access to energy. Rwanda has made significant progress in expanding renewable energy sources to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and traditional biomass.

The country’s renewable energy mix includes hydropower, solar energy, biogas, peat-to-power (with environmental safeguards), and emerging methane gas extraction from Lake Kivu. These sources contribute to electricity generation, clean cooking, and productive uses of energy.

Hydropower remains the backbone of Rwanda’s electricity supply, supported by rivers and lakes across the country. Solar energy has rapidly expanded through grid-connected plants and off-grid systems, particularly in rural areas where mini-grids and solar home systems improve access to lighting, communication, health, and education services.

Biogas and clean cooking technologies are promoted at household and institutional levels to reduce reliance on fuelwood and charcoal, helping to address deforestation, indoor air pollution, and public health risks. Renewable energy development also supports climate change mitigation by lowering greenhouse gas emissions, while enhancing energy security, job creation, and economic growth.

RECOR’s Approach

RECOR supports renewable energy development through inclusive, climate-smart, and community-focused approaches, including:

Promoting access to clean and affordable energy solutions
Supporting off-grid and mini-grid renewable energy systems for rural communities
Encouraging clean cooking technologies to reduce deforestation and indoor air pollution
Supporting renewable energy investments that enhance livelihoods and productivity
Strengthening local capacity and skills in renewable energy technologies
Promoting private-sector engagement and community participation
Ensuring gender-responsive and inclusive energy access

Objectives

Expand access to affordable and reliable energy
Increase electricity access for both urban and rural populations.
Promote off-grid and mini-grid renewable solutions
Support renewable energy systems for remote and underserved communities to reduce energy poverty.
Reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels
Diversify Rwanda’s energy mix by prioritizing renewable sources such as hydropower, solar, methane gas, peat, and biomass alternatives.
Promote climate change mitigation and environmental protection
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector and support Rwanda’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Minimize deforestation through clean energy solutions
Promote clean cooking and alternative energy sources to reduce reliance on firewood and charcoal.
Support sustainable economic growth
Provide reliable energy to industries, SMEs, and agro-processing enterprises to enhance productivity.
Stimulate green investments and job creation
Promote renewable energy technologies that create employment and support inclusive economic growth.
Increase energy generation capacity using clean sources
Develop and scale up renewable energy infrastructure, including solar parks, small and medium hydropower plants, and biogas systems.
Reduce reliance on traditional biomass
Promote biogas, improved cookstoves, LPG, and electric cooking where feasible.
Strengthen energy sector resilience
Build climate-resilient energy infrastructure and improve system reliability against climate-related risks.
Enhance innovation, capacity building, and local skills
Promote research, innovation, and technology transfer in renewable energy.
Promote social inclusion and gender equality
Ensure equitable access to clean energy for women, youth, and vulnerable groups, and support women-led and youth-led renewable energy enterprises.

Alignment

This program aligns with Rwanda’s national development and climate frameworks, including:

Vision 2050
National Strategy for Transformation (NST2)
National Energy Policy
Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)
Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- SDG 13 – Climate Action
- SDG 15 – Life on Land

FORESTRY & AGROFORESTRY

Posted on January 12, 2026 by admin

FORESTRY & AGROFORESTRY

RECOR’s Forestry & Agroforestry Program promotes sustainable forest management and tree-based farming systems to restore landscapes, strengthen climate resilience, enhance agricultural productivity, and improve community livelihoods.

Why It Matters

Forestry and agroforestry play a vital role in Rwanda’s landscape restoration, environmental conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture. Rwanda’s forestry sector includes natural forests, plantation forests, community woodlots, and trees on farms, all of which contribute significantly to ecosystem health and rural livelihoods.

Key forest ecosystems such as Nyungwe, Volcanoes, Gishwati–Mukura, and Akagera support biodiversity, protect watersheds, reduce soil erosion, and regulate local climate. Plantation forests and community woodlots provide essential resources such as timber, fuelwood, and construction materials, helping to reduce pressure on natural forests.

Agroforestry is widely promoted in Rwanda as an integrated land-use system combining trees with crops and/or livestock. Practices such as boundary planting, contour hedgerows, intercropping with fruit and nitrogen-fixing trees, and live fences improve soil fertility, water retention, and farm productivity. These systems also provide fruits, fodder, fuelwood, and additional income for households.

Forestry and agroforestry contribute significantly to climate change mitigation and adaptation by enhancing carbon sequestration, restoring degraded landscapes, and increasing the resilience of farming systems to droughts and heavy rainfall. They are especially important in Rwanda’s hilly and erosion-prone landscapes, where sustainable land management is essential for food security, biodiversity conservation, and long-term development.

RECOR’s Approach

RECOR promotes forestry and agroforestry through community-based, landscape-level, and climate-smart interventions, including:

Supporting forest and landscape restoration on degraded lands
Promoting sustainable management of natural forests, plantations, and woodlots
Encouraging agroforestry practices integrated into farming systems
Strengthening soil and water conservation in erosion-prone areas
Enhancing carbon sequestration and climate resilience through tree-based systems
Supporting clean cooking and sustainable biomass energy solutions
Building capacity of farmers, cooperatives, and local authorities
Promoting inclusive participation of communities, women, and youth

Objectives

Restore and sustainably manage forest resources
Conserve natural forests and promote sustainable management of plantation forests and woodlots to maintain ecosystem health and productivity.
Reduce land degradation and soil erosion
Use trees, contour planting, and agroforestry systems to stabilize soils, particularly in Rwanda’s hilly and erosion-prone landscapes
Enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation
Increase carbon sequestration, regulate microclimates, and strengthen the resilience of farming systems to climate variability and extreme events.
Improve agricultural productivity and food security
Integrate trees with crops and livestock to improve soil fertility, water retention, and diversified farm outputs.
Protect biodiversity and ecosystem services
Provide habitats and ecological corridors while enhancing ecosystem services such as water regulation, pollination, and watershed protection.
Reduce pressure on natural forests
Promote on-farm tree growing and sustainable woodlots to meet household demand for fuelwood, timber, and fodder.
Diversify and increase household incomes
Support income generation through timber, fruits, fodder, honey, and non-timber forest products.
Promote sustainable energy and clean cooking
Support biomass supply from sustainable sources and complementary clean cooking solutions to reduce deforestation.
Strengthen community participation and capacity
Build skills and awareness among farmers, cooperatives, and local authorities for effective forestry and agroforestry management.
Mainstream forestry and agroforestry into development planning
Integrate tree-based systems into national, district, and landscape-level planning frameworks.

Alignment

This program aligns with Rwanda’s national development and environmental frameworks, including:

Vision 2050
National Strategy for Transformation (NST2)
National Forest Policy
National Agroforestry Strategy
Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG 1 – No Poverty
- SDG 2 – Zero Hunger
- SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 13 – Climate Action
- SDG 15 – Life on Land

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Posted on January 12, 2026 by admin

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

RECOR’s Biodiversity Conservation Program works to protect Rwanda’s rich ecosystems, wildlife, and natural heritage while supporting sustainable livelihoods and community well-being.

Why It Matters

Despite its small size, Rwanda is one of Africa’s biodiversity-rich countries, hosting a wide variety of ecosystems, plant species, wildlife, and genetic resources. These include montane forests, savannahs, wetlands, lakes, and river systems that support many endemic and globally threatened species.

Rwanda is internationally recognized for its iconic wildlife, including mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and chimpanzees in Nyungwe National Park, as well as diverse bird, amphibian, and plant species. Major protected areas such as Volcanoes, Nyungwe, Akagera, and Gishwati–Mukura National Parks play a vital role in conserving biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem services like water regulation, soil protection, climate regulation, and tourism income.

Wetlands and lakes, including Lake Kivu, provide critical habitats for aquatic biodiversity and support local livelihoods. However, Rwanda’s biodiversity faces increasing pressure from population growth, land-use change, agricultural expansion, climate change, invasive species, and habitat fragmentation.

Biodiversity conservation is therefore central to sustainable development, climate resilience, and poverty reduction, ensuring that ecosystems continue to support human well-being and future generations.

RECOR’s Approach

RECOR supports biodiversity conservation through integrated, community-centered, and ecosystem-based approaches, including:

Supporting protection and restoration of forests, wetlands, and protected landscapes
Promoting community-based conservation and benefit-sharing mechanisms
Strengthening sustainable natural resource management practices
Supporting habitat restoration and landscape connectivity
Integrating biodiversity conservation with climate resilience and livelihoods
Promoting scientific research and indigenous knowledge for conservation
Engaging women, youth, and local communities as key conservation actors

Objectives

Conserve ecosystems and habitats
Protect and sustainably manage forests, wetlands, savannahs, lakes, and river systems to maintain ecological integrity and ecosystem services.
Protect threatened and endemic species
Safeguard globally and nationally threatened species, including endemic flora and fauna, through effective protection, monitoring, and habitat management.
Strengthen protected area management
Enhance the management effectiveness of national parks and reserves such as Volcanoes, Nyungwe, Akagera, and Gishwati–Mukura landscapes.
Restore degraded ecosystems and landscapes
Promote forest and landscape restoration, reforestation, and rehabilitation of degraded lands to recover biodiversity and ecosystem functions.
Promote sustainable use of biological resources
Ensure that biodiversity resources are used sustainably to support livelihoods while preventing overexploitation and environmental degradation.
Enhance community participation and benefit sharing
Engage local communities in conservation efforts and ensure they benefit through community-based conservation, ecotourism, and sustainable livelihoods.
Mainstream biodiversity into development planning
Integrate biodiversity conservation into national, sectoral, and local development policies, land-use planning, and infrastructure development.
Address drivers of biodiversity loss
Reduce pressures such as habitat conversion, invasive species, pollution, and climate change impacts through targeted interventions.
Strengthen research, monitoring, and knowledge management
Support biodiversity research, monitoring systems, and data sharing to inform evidence-based conservation decisions.

Alignment

This program aligns with national, regional, and global biodiversity frameworks, including:

Vision 2050
National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)
National Environment and Climate Change Policy
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG 1 – No Poverty
- SDG 13 – Climate Action
- SDG 14 – Life Below Water
- SDG 15 – Life on Land

Climate Change

Posted on January 9, 2026January 12, 2026 by admin

CLIMATE CHANGE & CLIMATE RESILIENCE

RECOR’s Climate Change Program focuses on strengthening community resilience to climate variability and extreme weather events through adaptation, mitigation, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable livelihood approaches.

Why It Matters

Climate change in Rwanda is causing long-term shifts in temperature and rainfall patterns, with increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as floods, landslides, and droughts. Over recent decades, rising average temperatures have increased evapotranspiration and placed significant pressure on water resources.

Rainfall has become more unpredictable, resulting in prolonged dry seasons in some regions and intense rainfall in others. These changes have led to frequent floods and landslides, particularly in the Western and Northern Provinces, and recurring droughts in the Eastern Province.

These climate impacts severely affect agriculture, which employs a large share of Rwanda’s population. Crop failures, soil erosion, declining productivity, and land degradation threaten food security, household incomes, and ecosystem stability. Climate change also increases risks to forests, wetlands, water supply systems, public health, and infrastructure.

Despite contributing very little to global greenhouse gas emissions, Rwanda remains highly vulnerable due to its dense population, reliance on rain-fed agriculture, and fragile landscapes. Addressing climate change is therefore essential for safeguarding livelihoods, ecosystems, and sustainable development.

RECOR’s Approach

RECOR contributes to climate change adaptation and mitigation through community-centered and ecosystem-based approaches, including:

Promoting climate-resilient and climate-smart agriculture
Supporting forest and landscape restoration on degraded lands
Strengthening community capacity for climate adaptation planning
Enhancing water resource protection and climate-resilient WASH systems
Supporting renewable energy and clean cooking solutions
Integrating scientific and indigenous knowledge for climate resilience
Encouraging inclusive participation of women, youth, and vulnerable groups

Objectives

Strengthen community resilience and adaptive capacity
Enhance the ability of households and communities to anticipate, cope with, and recover from climate-related shocks such as floods, droughts, and landslides.
Promote climate-resilient agriculture and food security
Support climate-smart agriculture, improved seed varieties, soil and water conservation, and sustainable livestock systems to ensure stable food production and incomes.
Restore and sustainably manage ecosystems
Protect and restore forests, wetlands, watersheds, and degraded landscapes to enhance ecosystem services, reduce disaster risks, and support biodiversity.
Reduce climate-related disaster risks
Strengthen early warning systems, climate information services, and climate-resilient infrastructure to minimize loss of lives, assets, and livelihoods.
Improve water security and climate-resilient WASH services
Contribute to sustainable access to safe water and sanitation through protection of water sources, resilient infrastructure, and efficient water use.
Support low-carbon and renewable energy solutions
Expand renewable energy and clean cooking technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving energy access and resilience.
Enhance community capacity
Build the capacity of communities to plan, implement, and monitor climate-resilient actions.
Promote inclusive and gender-responsive approaches
Ensure women, youth, and vulnerable groups actively participate in and benefit from climate resilience initiatives.
Strengthen community climate finance and investment
Mobilize community-based climate finance to support local adaptation, mitigation, and resilience-building programs.
Advocate for climate mainstreaming in development planning
Integrate climate risk considerations into national, sectoral, and local development plans to ensure long-term sustainability.

Alignment

This program aligns with national and global frameworks, including:

Vision 2050
National Strategy for Transformation (NST2)
Rwanda’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)
Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG 1 – No Poverty
- SDG 2 – Zero Hunger
- SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 13 – Climate Action
- SDG 15 – Life on Land

Category: Program