This publication elaborates on the approach used by the Eco-Emploi project to support the development of the CBT initiatives in the Destination Kivu Belt of Rwanda and the lessons learnt from this process. It reveals potential CBT opportunities in the Kivu Belt, challenges, intervention measures, impacts achieved, key success indicators and recommendations for future development of similar projects. It will serve as an experience and knowledge sharing handbook for partners and other tourism actors interested in implementing CBT development projects in Rwanda or other parts of the world.
The Promotion of Economy and Employment project (Eco-Emploi) is a joint Rwandan-German development cooperation project implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The project aims to create jobs and strengthen micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives in the tourism, wood and audio-visual value chains through an integrated approach to employment promotion.
In the tourism value chain, Eco-Emploi focuses on the Destination Kivu Belt and Destination Nyanza as a targeted geographical area. The project works in partnership with public and private tourism bodies, including the Chief Tourism Office of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB, a government body whose mandate is to accelerate Rwanda’s economic development) as well as the Rwanda Chamber of Tourism (RCOT, a private umbrella of all the associations engaged in tourism and hospitality business).
Emphasising the promotion of nature-based tourism such as hiking, cycling and bird watching, the Eco-Emploi project also works hand in hand with the partners mentioned above to train tourism operators to develop and market new tourism offers in Rwanda and advises CBT actors on how to improve their services.
