The Rubaya green village demonstration project was initiated and led by Rwanda Environment
Management Authority (REMA) and designed and implemented by a range of Government agencies
including Ministry of Local Government (MINLOC), Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI), Ministry of Natural
Resources (MINIRENA), Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA) the Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA)
and the Gicumbi District with the support of the UNDP-UNEP Poverty-Environment Initiative (phase II),
in order to demonstrate or showcase how integrated environmental and natural resource management
approaches can address the challenge of poverty reduction and economic development in a sustainable
way and in a participatory integrated approach.
The project is of crucial importance to address some of the components when implementing relevant
components of the Vision 2020 Umurenge and the rural settlement policy.
A green village includes a number of inter-linked components, emphasizing the efficient, effective, fair
and sustainable use of natural resources, using technologies that optimize social, economic and
environmental benefits.
In the case of the Rubaya green village demonstration project, the project includes:
• the provision of water reservoirs to control run-off and ensure that water is available to the
beneficiaries throughout the year at low opportunity cost. This generates health and economic
benefits to the village households.
• The provision of sanitation in order to decrease the prevalence of waterborne disease and
related production loss.
• The development of terraces and soil erosion control techniques (including agro-forestry) in
order to reduce soil fertility loss and improve agricultural productivity.
• The development of livestock through the implementation of the "One Cow per family program".
The distribution of cows generates multiple benefits such as increasing incomes (milk and meat
production), dietary composition and manure production for improved soil fertility.
• The provision of digesters in order to provide household with a clean cooking fuel. The use of
biogas decreases the use of wood for fuel, avoids deforestation, provides manure for crop
cultivation, increases indoor air quality and limits the negative impact of smoke and particle
matter on the health of the beneficiaries. Digesters also value human and animal waste
preventing water stocks pollution and waterborne diseases.
• The construction of iron-roofed houses each covering a usable space of 100 square meters,
which enable rain water harvesting and improve the quality of life as well as the security of the
households.
• The construction of a school close to the village in order to increase school attendance among
the children.