The East African Community (EAC), in partnership with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU), officially launched the EAC4Nature Project today. The three-year initiative aims to promote sustainable natural resource management across the East African region through the use of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS).
The EAC4Nature Project, titled Support to Management of Nature-Based Solutions with the East African Community, will run from January 2025 to June 2028, with total funding of €8 million—€5.5 million from BMZ and €2.5 million from the EU. The project focuses on integrating NbS into regional policies, strengthening cooperation between cross-border institutions, and improving the capacity of regional basin organizations, such as the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC), Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA), and Lake Kivu and Rusizi River Basin Authority (ABAKIR).
The project aims to achieve three main objectives: (i) integrating NbS into EAC policies and ensuring gender-sensitive approaches; (ii) strengthening the institutional capacities of LVBC and LTA for effective NbS planning and coordination; and (iii) enhancing information management to support climate-resilient water and environmental solutions.
During the launch event in Entebbe, Uganda, Eng. Richard Gatete, Executive Director of the Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA), spoke on behalf of the EAC Secretary General, emphasizing the importance of regional collaboration in addressing environmental challenges.
“As we launch the EAC4Nature Project today, let us remember that this is not just a project; it is a call to action,” said Eng. Gatete. “It is a call to work together, across borders and sectors, to protect our natural wealth, build climate resilience, and secure a sustainable future for the people of East Africa.”
Representatives from BMZ, the EU, and regional basin organizations also spoke at the event. Julia Kronberg, Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy in Tanzania, highlighted Germany’s commitment to international partnerships promoting nature-based resilience in East Africa.
“We are proud to collaborate with the EAC and EU in addressing environmental challenges in the region,” said Kronberg.
The EU’s Mr. Pierre-Yves Renaud, Manager for Energy, Water, Sanitation, and Environment at the EU Delegation to Burundi, reiterated the EU’s commitment to supporting regional institutions and sustainable water management.
The EAC4Nature Project is aligned with the EAC’s 6th Development Strategy, focusing on transboundary environmental management and climate resilience, and is designed to actively involve women, youth, and vulnerable communities in decision-making processes.
