Project Story

Goma Restoration is a community-led environmental restoration initiative developed by Africa Community Village (ACV) in Goma, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Rooted in the belief that people and nature thrive together, the project works to reconnect communities with their environment through urban and peri-urban reforestation, sustainable agriculture, environmental education, and youth-led climate action. Funding raised through this campaign will directly support the restoration of degraded landscapes around Goma while creating opportunities for local communities, especially youth and women, to actively participate in building a greener, healthier, and more resilient city.

Our Mission

ACV believes that environmental restoration must be locally driven, inclusive, and connected to community wellbeing. In a region affected by conflict, displacement, unemployment, and environmental degradation, we use regenerative practices to strengthen both ecosystems and livelihoods. Through tree planting, sustainable farming demonstrations, community mobilization, and climate education, Goma Restoration empowers local residents to become stewards of their environment while creating safer and healthier living spaces for future generations.

Background & Problem Statement

Goma has experienced rapid urban growth in recent years due to population increase, displacement caused by insecurity, and expanding economic activities. This pressure has contributed to deforestation, soil erosion, loss of green spaces, unmanaged waste, and unsustainable use of natural resources. Many vulnerable communities around Goma depend heavily on wood fuel and degraded land for survival, increasing pressure on surrounding ecosystems. Climate change has intensified these challenges through irregular rainfall, declining soil fertility, flooding, and environmental vulnerability affecting food security and public health.

At the same time, young people often have limited access to environmental education, employment opportunities, and platforms to contribute positively to their communities. Without intervention, environmental degradation and social vulnerability continue to reinforce one another.

Solution

Goma Restoration promotes practical, community-based ecosystem restoration through tree planting, restoration of degraded green zones, sustainable agriculture practices, environmental awareness campaigns, and youth engagement. The project focuses on creating small but scalable restoration sites that improve biodiversity, reduce erosion, increase green cover, and strengthen climate resilience in urban and peri-urban communities around Goma.

Our approach combines environmental restoration with education and livelihoods. Community members participate directly in nursery establishment, tree maintenance, composting, sustainable farming demonstrations, and climate awareness activities. By integrating local leadership and community ownership, the project creates long-term environmental stewardship rather than short-term interventions.

Opportunity

Goma Restoration presents an opportunity to demonstrate how locally led environmental action can create meaningful impact in fragile and conflict-affected settings. The project serves as a platform for youth leadership, environmental education, and community mobilization while helping restore degraded landscapes around the city. Schools, youth groups, women’s associations, and local leaders are engaged throughout the process to strengthen local ownership and encourage sustainable practices that can be replicated across other communities.

The initiative also contributes to cleaner public spaces, increased urban greenery, improved awareness on climate action, and stronger community resilience.

How We Regenerate

Our restoration model combines:

Urban and peri-urban tree planting

Community tree nurseries
Sustainable agriculture and agroecological practices
Environmental education and awareness campaigns
Youth-led volunteer activities
Waste management and community clean-up initiatives
Community participation in ecosystem stewardship

By combining ecological restoration with community empowerment, Goma Restoration strengthens both environmental health and social resilience.

Tracking Impact

ACV is developing simple but effective monitoring systems to track environmental and social impact. Indicators include the number of trees planted and surviving, participation of youth and women, restoration areas supported, environmental awareness activities conducted, and adoption of sustainable land practices by community members.

The project also values qualitative impact, including stronger community ownership, improved environmental awareness, and increased youth participation in climate action. Partnerships with local institutions and technical actors will help strengthen long-term monitoring and learning processes.

Our Experience

Although ACV is still a young organization with approximately 18 months of activities, we have already mobilized hundreds of young people and community members around environmental protection, sustainable agriculture, education, and community development initiatives in Eastern DRC. ACV has organized environmental awareness campaigns, tree planting activities, youth engagement programs, and sustainable agriculture initiatives that contribute to climate resilience and ecosystem protection.

Our strength lies in our grassroots approach, strong local relationships, youth leadership, and deep understanding of the realities faced by communities in conflict-affected environments. Through Goma Restoration, ACV aims to scale practical and community-owned solutions that restore ecosystems while creating hope and opportunity for local communities.