In February 2023, our new EU funded project ARDHI Tanga (Accelerating Reforestation and Development of Households In Tanga) was launched. I had the opportunity to attend the project’s launch event and startup workshop in February 2024.

The project aims to contribute to sustainable forest management and wood-fuel production in Handeni, Kilindi, Mkinga, and Pangani districts in Tanga region through enhanced natural resource management and sustainable wood-fuel chains. Tanga region spans 26,667km—similar to the country of Burundi—and is home to a population of over 2.5 million people. It is home to two major national parks—Saadani National Park on the coastline and Mkomazi National Park.

ARDHI Tanga, funded under the EU Integrated Approach to Sustainable Cooking Solutions Programme, is part of a collaborative effort led by the Government of Tanzania and the European Union to end deforestation and introduce more sustainable cooking solutions and livelihood options in Tanzania. ARDHI Tanga was launched on February 27th, 2024, in Tanga city at an event that brought together World Vision staff, Tanzanian government officials, NGO partners working in the area and other stakeholders involved in the project.

As the representative of the District Commissioner highlighted during her speech, “this project comes at a very relevant time as Tanzania’s annual deforestation rate continues to increase at around 400,000 hectares per year, twice the world’s rate.”  Wood-fuel and charcoal production are the key drivers of deforestation in Tanzania.  Increased demand for wood-fuel, mainly for cooking is driven by rapid urbanisation and high relative prices of alternative fuels. A World Vision Ireland Programme Manager said this during the startup workshop: “we need to work in partnership with local communities to promote and support sustainable livelihood options and forest management practices.”
 

Our Programme Manager, Aidan Sinnott (left), a representative of the District Commissioner (centre), and Gideon Cohen from World Vision Tanzania (right) officially launch ARDHI Tanga.

Forest conservation is a national priority that calls for collective, immediate action. Local level government representatives spoke about the importance of engaging local communities to achieve long-term change, particularly young people. Youth are the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and the future of the country; their understanding of and participation in environmental conservation is key to ensure the government’s accountability at all levels.

ARDHI Tanga will have social accountability for climate action at the core of its programme, working with youth to ensure that their voices are heard and directly impact environmental policy commitments at different levels. The startup workshop marked a great start to our partnership and ongoing collaboration with the European Development Fund (EDF) at the Ministry of Finance and Planning. While ARDHI Tanga is only at an early stage, it will build on the EU-funded SAUTI Youth project implemented by World Vision Ireland and World Vision Tanzania in Tanga (2020-2023) and its efforts towards building a greener future for Tanzania.