The World Bank-financed Forest and Savanna Restoration Investment Programme (PIFORES, after the French acronym) is helping to improve land-use planning, forest landscape management and community livelihoods.

Implemented under the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development and New Economy of the Climate, UNOPS procured 82 agricultural tractors and their accessories. UNOPS will deliver the tractors and accessories across seven provinces as part of this initiative, with $6.3 million in financing from the World Bank.

The tractors will help local implementing agencies accelerate savanna restoration and sustainable forest management by providing sustainable agricultural alternatives to reduce pressure on natural forests.

"Millions of families clear forests out of necessity, for lack of alternatives. With these 82 tractors, we are accelerating the momentum of sustainable management," said Patrice Savadogo, Senior Forestry Specialist at the World Bank and PIFORES Project Manager.

"Beyond the handover of the keys, UNOPS is supporting the certification training of 82 operators from local communities to ensure the effective, sustainable and secure use of these investments," said Mouna El Jaouhari, Country Manager of UNOPS in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

"This event illustrates the government's commitment to promoting inclusive development capable of improving living conditions for the population while preserving our natural capital," said Pascaline Mbangu Kikumbi, Secretary General for the Environment, Sustainable Development and the New Climate Economy.

Read more here (in French).