Objective
Making up 7.5 % of the entire Congo Basin area, the Western Congo Basin landscape of TRIDOM is one of twelve landscapes in the Congo Basin that are supported by the COMIFAC's Convergence Plan, as a framework for national forest policies across the subregion of Central Africa. One of the most untouched forest areas globally, with about 97 % forest cover and a high proportion of primary forest, it exceeds in biological diversity and plays an important role in climate protection as well as for the regional water balance. Resources such as wood, iron ore and gold make it equally a basis for economic development. TRIDOM hosts 11 protected areas on about 191,000 km². The project, implemented by GIZ in Cameroon, Congo and Gabon, aims to support a concerted management of the transboundary forest ecosystems. Based on an integrated landscape approach the project addresses environmental challenges, promotes sustainable development and improves border communities' livelihoods under due recognition of  indigenous traditions. Member states and the COMIFAC expect to strengthen coherence, predictability and effectiveness of local governance structures and orient public policies and  public services in a way that sustainably supports hazard resilience, natural resources  management and rural development. 

Our contribution
The Congolese module of ProTRIDOM mobilises the involvement of public sector, private sector and civil society stakeholders in order to establish an institutional framework for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development of the tri-national landscape. Identity is shaped of TRIDOM as a common sustainably managed landscape in the context of regionally integrated conservation policies.

Output 1: 
• Cross-border administrative and decision-making structures work on the basis of participatory cooperation agreements against i.a. poaching and illegal trade. 

Output 2: 
• Relevant stakeholders exchange about how to reconcile biodiversity protection and socio-economic development.

Output 3: 
• With a view to tapping international funds private sector companies invest in sustainable management and co-ordinate in planning. Business models and certification schemes motivate them to engage in their concessions' long-term management.

Output 4: 
Municipalities, local administrative districts, the private sector and civil society pilot local, scalable approaches for sustainable resource use. Indigenous groups and women develop projects adapted to their culture and needs.