Strengthening community engagement and livelihoods

Community Conservation

Comprising 27 villages, the Lac Télé Community Reserve is the only one of its kind in the Congo. Its community component is at the heart of its approach. The Reserve’s communities receive direct support through actions aimed at improving their living conditions, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources and developing income-generating activities.
Awareness

Up to 1,700 people a year are reached by awareness-raising campaigns on key topics such as the risks of forest fires

Household

Household well-being index follows a positive trajectory, according to basic needs surveys conducted in 2015, 2017 and 2021

Edu

Around 1,000 pupils attend environmental education sessions every year

OUR APPROACH

IMPROVING LIVING CONDITIONS

The Reserve has supported various iniatives, including the development of beekeeping and the introduction of improved cassava cuttings. The Reserve focuses now on setting up solar street lamps in the Reserve’s villages, renovating local health centers and giving material and equipment to local schools. To address the remoteness of the communities, the Reserve is also contributing to the renovation of the tarred road leading to the Reserve, and the clearing of waterways on the Mandougouma River.

SUSTAINABLE USE OF NATURAL RESSOURCES

For their livelihoods, the Reserve’s communities rely heavily on natural resources, particularly fish. Developed with fishermen and local authorities, a fishing charter was adopted in 2017 to ban destructive practices (soap, poison, etc.) and promote sustainable practices. More than 40 optimized ovens have also been built for safer, more efficient smoking using less wood and better trading.

REVENUE GENERATING ACTIVITIES

Long an important income-generating activity, cocoa growing has gradually declined due to lack of support. In line with the national plan to revive cocoa production, the Reserve aims to improve yields on existing small family plots in all the villages, and to facilitate the sale of cocoa beans in order to boost the sector.

Image

RAISING AWARENESS

Awareness-raising campaigns in the Reserve’s schools and villages are a valuable way of mobilizing communities on issues that affect them. A 2024 awareness-raising campaign on the man-made bushfires that burn savannahs and gallery forests every year raised awareness of the importance of these forests in combating river silting and maintaining biodiversity, as well as good fishing catches.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT