The Project seeks to develop the capacity of Local Government , Chiefs and the Communities of the Project areas by empowering them with the necessary information , knowledge and capacity that will enable them to contribute to the sustainable protection of the Gola Rainforest. The MPs of the Gola Forest Areas, the Local councils, town/village chiefs, farmers (who are in the majority), the Women (who are mostly engaged in various livelihood activities from the forest) and the Children (who are mostly at the center of activities that destroys the forest) will actively participate with focus on youth, women, children as well as the physically challenged (Disabled).
This project therefore hopes to mobilize the Gola Forest community and engage them through massive public sensitization and relevant information and education on the sustainable protection on the forest that is in their communities. The project will be implemented in the communities that are located in and around the Gola Forest.
The project will create a short impact employment for the youths of the community, and they will claim ownership and protection for it and the rich ecosystem and biodiversity of these areas will be restored. It is in line with three of the strategic pillars of GEF especially in the contribution to overall emission reduction (through removal by sink) and that of the ecological and biodiversity restoration.