EAC pushes for sustainable natural resource management

EAST AFRICA: THE East African Community (EAC), in collaboration with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU), recently launched the EAC4Nature Project, a transformative three-year initiative aimed at enhancing sustainable natural resource management across the region.

The EAC4Nature Project, titled “Support to Management of Nature-Based Solutions with the East African Community”, is set to run from January 2025 to June 2028, with a total funding of 8 million Euro, with 5.5 million Euro from BMZ and 2.5 million Euro from the EU.

The project focuses on integrating Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) into regional policies, enhancing transboundary cooperation, and strengthening the capacities of regional basin organisations, including the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA) and Lake Kivu and Rusizi River Basin Authority (ABAKIR).

The overall goal is to strengthen the capacity of key actors within the EAC to implement climate-resilient, gender-responsive solutions, ensuring regional environmental policies effectively address both climate adaptation and community resilience.

Commissioned by BMZ and co-financed by the EU, with GIZ providing technical implementation support, the project will focus on three key areas– Integrating Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) into EAC policies and regulations while ensuring gender-sensitive approaches.

It will also focus on strengthening the institutional capacities of the Lake Victoria Basin Commission and Lake Tanganyika Authority for effective NbS planning and coordination as well as enhancing information management to support climate-resilient water and environmental solutions.

During the official launch of the EAC4Nature Project in Entebbe, Uganda, on behalf of EAC Secretary General Ms Veronica Nduva, the Executive Director of the Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA), Engineer Richard Gatete, emphasised the EAC’s commitment to integrating nature-based solutions into regional climate policies and frameworks.

“As we launch the EAC4Nature Project today, let us remember that this is not just a project; it is a call to action,” said Eng Gatete. “It is a call to work together, across borders and sectors, to protect our natural wealth, build climate resilience, and secure a sustainable future for the people of East Africa.”

Eng Gatete praised the support of BMZ and the EU, noting that such partnerships are instrumental in driving transformative change in the region.

He said that the project will promote the use of Nature Based Solutions as a transformative pathway to address climate change, enhance biodiversity, and improve livelihoods.

“Through the EAC4Nature Project, the region seeks to foster stronger partnerships between regional institutions, development partners, and communities to jointly safeguard ecosystems,” added Eng Gatete.

Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy in Tanzania, Julia Kronberg, underscored Germany’s strong partnership with the EAC in advancing climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, public health, trade, and regional integration.

“Germany is committed to building strong international partnerships to promote nature-based solutions, especially nature-based resilience,” said Ms Kronberg. “We are proud to collaborate with the EAC and EU in addressing the challenges of climate change, environmental pollution, and biodiversity loss, focusing on freshwater nature-based solutions for East Africa.”

Ms Kronberg was represented by Alicia Van den Boom, Head of Cooperation at the German Embassy in Uganda.

On behalf of the EU, Mr Pierre-Yves Renaud, Manager for Energy, Water, Sanitation, and Environment at the EU Delegation to Burundi, reaffirmed the EU’s long-standing commitment to sustainable water management and regional cooperation in the Great Lakes Region.

“Tanganyika Kivu Water Management (TAKIWAMA) reflects the EU’s dedication to environmental sustainability, economic resilience, and transboundary water governance,” said Mr Renaud. “We are proud to support regional institutions and partners in their efforts to protect water resources, enhance livelihoods, and advance regional integration.”

The Deputy Executive Director of the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), Engineer Coletha Ruhamya, and the Director for Monitoring and Evaluation of the Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA), Mr Kwibisa Linywalii both emphasised the importance of the project, particularly its potential to enhance data-driven decision-making, strengthen institutional cooperation, and promote innovative approaches to managing shared water resources and ecosystems.

Coordinating Director of the Lake Kivu and Rusizi River Basin Authority (ABAKIR), Mr Jean Mwamba, noted that the project goes beyond conservation.

It focuses on integrating nature-based solutions into regional policies, frameworks, and practices to ensure sustainable natural resource management and climate resilience.

The EAC4Nature Project aligns with the 6th EAC Development Strategy, which prioritises transboundary environmental management and climate resilience. It also supports the EAC Gender Mainstreaming Policy and adheres to IUCN standards for Nature-Based Solutions, ensuring that women, youth, and vulnerable communities actively participate in project implementation and decision-making.