May 30, 2025 — The Rwanda Water Resources Board (RWB) has successfully trained community facilitators who will, in turn, lead the development of Village Land Use Action Plans (VLUAPs) in their respective areas, as part of the INTEGO Facility program, supported by the Rwanda Green Fund, which aims to promote climate change adaptation and mitigation while improving community livelihoods.

The training is designed to empower communities in the districts of Nyamagabe, Nyaruguru, Nyagatare, Karongi, Nyamasheke, and Rulindo to take ownership of sustainable land management practices and enhance catchment-level planning.

In his opening remarks, Bernard Musana Segatagara, Head of the Knowledge and Forecasting Hub Department at RWB, commended the participants for their commitment and underscored the importance of their role in transforming local planning practices.

“These Village Land Use Action Plans are more than just documents — they are tools for real change. Your role as facilitators is to ignite a shift in mindset, encouraging communities to take ownership of their land and plan for long-term sustainability,” he said. “The success of this program lies in your ability to mobilize, educate, and lead with purpose.”

The training focused on equipping facilitators with practical skills for engaging communities in the planning process, ensuring that all citizens, regardless of gender or background, are actively involved. 

One of the key lessons emphasized was the importance of inclusive participation, particularly the need to create safe spaces for both men and women to express their ideas.

Facilitators were encouraged to apply gender-sensitive methods, as it was observed that in some cases, separating men and women during group discussions helps ensure that all voices are equally heard. This approach is essential for developing action plans that genuinely reflect the needs and priorities of entire communities.

The VLUAPs will serve as roadmaps for implementing climate resilience interventions focused on soil erosion and flood control, including the construction of radical and progressive terraces, catchment restoration, reforestation and afforestation, agroforestry, and rainwater harvesting.

Through its active involvement in developing Village Land Use Action Plans, RWB reaffirms its core mandate and unwavering commitment to promoting sustainable water resource management. By empowering communities to plan and implement climate-resilient interventions, RWB is not only helping to restore degraded catchments but also ensuring that water resources are protected, preserved, and used efficiently for the benefit of current and future generations.