The Red Rocks Initiative for Sustainable Development is calling on international partners to help safeguard one of Africa’s most ecologically significant regions – the Virunga Massif – through a community-driven conservation model operating across Rwanda, Uganda and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Founded in 2017, the Rwanda-based NGO’s flagship programme, the Virunga Massif Project, links economic development with biodiversity protection. The model centres on empowering local communities – especially women and youth – to take a leading role in environmental stewardship and sustainable tourism.
“We believe the future of the Virunga Massif lies in the strength of its people and the preservation of its natural heritage,” said Greg Bakunzi, Founder of the Red Rocks Initiative for Sustainable Development.
Changing mindsets
Speaking to Tourism Update, Bakunzi emphasised that one of the greatest challenges facing the region is not just environmental degradation but community mindsets. “Communities must see how they benefit from protecting the Virunga Massif,” he said. “If people feel proud of their nature and surroundings, they’ll be more invested in protecting them.”
Red Rocks has launched several initiatives with this goal in mind, including eco-tourism training, traditional craft production and environmental education. One initiative, the Cash for Work Scheme, offers paid employment in reforestation, infrastructure repair and organic farming.
“We’ve seen success on the Rwandan side,” said Bakunzi, citing community participation in tourism and the creation of income-generating activities such as craft markets and homestays. “Now we’re inviting our brothers and sisters from across the border to join this movement.”
The role of tour operators
Bakunzi called on tour operators to play a more active role in embedding community-based conservation experiences in their itineraries. “If guests are paying U$1 500 to enter the park, they should also spend US$20 or US$30 in the community,” he said. “That small amount can change lives – it sends children to school, pays for food and builds pride.”
He stressed that sustainable travel must go beyond wildlife viewing: “It’s not just about the animals in the park. It’s about the communities you drive through on the way there. How do they see you? As a stranger or as a partner?”
Scaling local models
Red Rocks is seeking international partnerships that are rooted in knowledge exchange. “We’ve created training programmes we call ‘conversations’,” said Bakunzi. “We don’t want outside partners to come with all the answers. We want collaboration that builds on our local knowledge and helps scale it.”
The organisation’s work includes five core programmes:
- Cash for Work Scheme – Paid employment in conservation and infrastructure development
- Community Conservation – Training in sustainable farming, water conservation and forest management
- Hands-On Skills Development – Craft training in weaving, pottery, sewing and painting
- Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation – Business training, mentorship and access to seed funding
- Women’s Leadership and Advocacy – Empowering women to participate in decision-making and community leadership
