Rwanda is set to receive a boost in funds to improve land management, local livelihoods and climate resilience.

The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors has approved a total of US$9.3 million in trust fund grants through the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) for the Landscape Approach to Forest Restoration and Conservation Project.

The funding will go towards increasing the number and diversity of trees to help improve soil fertility, stabilize slopes, regulate stream flow and expand the resource base for local livelihoods in and around Gishwati and Mukura forests in the north west of Rwanda.

In recent decades, much of the natural forest in these areas has been lost, leading to severe soil erosion, landslides and flooding.

The project will focus on rehabilitating forests and improving sustainable land management through agroforestry and silvo-pastoral approaches. It will also support communities to diversify their livelihoods, provide improved flood forecasting and preparedness, and investments in terracing to prevent land erosion.

Read the full story on All Africa: World Bank to Support Forest Restoration and Conservation