The initiative “Reforestation for Communities Prosperity in Eastern Uganda – ReForEst Uganda” is part of the broader “Partnering for Forests – P4F” programme, worth 40 million euros and funded by the European Union. The programme aims to strengthen the sustainable use of Uganda’s forest resources to foster inclusive national economic growth, while contributing to global efforts to combat climate change and biodiversity loss. In 2025 the Embassy of Denmark joined the programme with an additional contribution of 8 million euros.
The main goal of the initiative is to enhance the conservation, protection, and regeneration of Uganda’s forest resources through the introduction of sustainable practices in the agroforestry production sector. The project’s underlying strategy is to link biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable economic development in an integrated way—also through improved access to green finance and incentive programmes that promote forest conservation and restoration, agroforestry, non-timber forest products, and the protection and rehabilitation of ecosystems.
The intervention has a strong focus on local economic and entrepreneurial development and seeks to create income opportunities for community-based forest and tree plantation owners, with the active involvement of the private sector. The project will also support the development of the green finance and carbon credit sectors as incentives for eco-sustainable and climate-resilient cultivation models.
4 main results areas:
R1. Increased tree cover by promoting restoration, improved management and conservation of high-value forests, and community support for preservation.
– R2: Agroforestry and the regeneration of indigenous tree species are promoted and contribute to reducing pressure on forest reserves and provide livelihood benefits.
– R3: The livelihoods of communities residing in the project area are improved by developing sustainable non-timber value chain enterprises and strategies with a direct link to forest conservation.
– R4: The capacity of institutions and stakeholders to sustainably manage forests and access forest finance is enhanced.
Partnership and coordination with MoWE, NFA and UWA ensure full ownership and alignment to national policies and strategic plans. The Action will be also integrated in synergy with the ongoing national programs implemented by Government of Uganda, the World Bank, and other donors.
The strategy behind the action is to interlink biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable livelihoods in an integrated and sustainable manner through increased access to green finance and incentive schemes that encourage the conservation/restoration of forests, the promotion of agroforestry and NTFPs, and the protection and restoration of critical ecosystems.
Where: Eastern Uganda macro-region: sub-regions of Jinja, Mbale, Soroti, Karamoja
When: March 2024 – March 2029
Channel: Delegated cooperation – Contract no. C.A. NDICI – AFRICA 2023/450-049
- AID 012967/01/0 – Direct Costs
- AID 012967/01/1 – Indirect Costs
Budget: €14,000,000
Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI – Global Europe)
