Alphome Community Farms Receives Rufford Foundation Grant to Protect Threatened Forest Habitats in the Congo Basin

Haut-Uele, Democratic Republic of Congo | November 2026

Alphome Community Farms is pleased to announce that we have been awarded the first round Rufford Small Grant from The Rufford Foundation to strengthen community-led forest monitoring and biodiversity conservation in Haut-Uele Province, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The grant will support our new project, “Community-Led Monitoring and Protection of Forest Habitats Threatened by Mining in Haut-Uele, DRC,” focusing on forest landscapes increasingly affected by mining, charcoal production, and other pressures.

Building on our experience in community forest monitoring, the project will strengthen local conservation action through:

• 25 field verification missions to document forest disturbance and habitat threats.

• Training for 40 community members in forest monitoring and conservation reporting.

• Four community awareness and stakeholder meetings to encourage local participation in forest protection.

• Conservation evidence and recommendations to support informed action by communities and relevant authorities.

This support will enable Alphome Community Farms to strengthen its community-based monitoring approach while building local capacity to protect forest habitats and biodiversity.

We are grateful to The Rufford Foundation and its Trustees for their confidence in our work and commitment to grassroots conservation.

Together with local communities, we are working toward a future where the forests of Haut-Uele remain protected for biodiversity and future generations.

Learn more: The Rufford Foundation

Alphome Community Farms — Restoring Forests. Empowering Communities. Protecting Biodiversity.