An important step in the operationalization of the partnership agreement for the Salonga Park between WWF and the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) has just been taken with the launch in October 2022 of a new project financed by the European Union aimed at professionalizing the management of the Salonga National Park with the participation of local communities.

The main objective of this new project is that by 2024, the management of Salonga National Park will be significantly improved while ensuring better participation of the riparian communities.

Salonga National Park is one of five protected areas in the DRC eligible for the European Union’s “United for Sustainable Development” program, with WWF as implementing partner for Salonga.

The project was presented in October during a two-part workshop,  held in Kinshasa and in Monkoto, the Park’s headquarters in Tshuapa Province from October 22  to November 1, 2022.

The workshops led by Céline Beaulieu, Caroline Le Merle and Greta Zappella of WWF International gave WWF DRC colleagues the opportunity to learn about the project documents and action plan.

At the same time, the essential tools for the implementation of the project were presented and the capacities of its managers were strengthened on various key aspects of its execution, such as the rules and procedures of the European Union and WWF.

The project which started in  August 2022 will  run for 24 months. It is a continuation of the rural agricultural conservation program of the Salonga complex (PARCCS) implemented by WWF and its partners from January 2017 to December 2021.