Awarded in 2025
Based in Ajii Village, Wagongo Chiefdom, Mahagi Territory, Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of Congo
The Association for the Promotion of Agriculture, Fishing, and Livestock, widely known as APAPE, was recognised as a 2025 Kilimo Environmental Prize laureate for its holistic and community driven approach to environmental protection, climate justice and sustainable livelihoods. Their work demonstrates how organised grassroots action can restore ecosystems, defend rights and secure a more dignified and resilient future for lakeshore communities in Ituri Province.
APAPE is a grassroots community organisation based in Pajulu 3 within the Ajii fishing camp along the Albert Rift Valley in Wagongo Chiefdom. The association brings together 56 members, women and men whose livelihoods depend on agriculture, fishing and livestock in a fragile lakeshore environment directly connected to Lake Albert.
Established to respond to interconnected challenges facing the community, including deforestation, declining fish stocks, land degradation, pollution and widespread poverty, APAPE's work is grounded in collective action, mutual assistance and long-term stewardship of land and water resources. The association aims to reforest empty and degraded spaces across the Pajulu Groupement, Wagongo Chiefdom and the wider Mahagi Territory, while strengthening food autonomy and income generation for rural households.
A core pillar of APAPE’s work is environmental protection linked to livelihoods. Members actively engage in agriculture, fishing and goat farming using practices that seek to reduce pressure on natural ecosystems. By promoting sustainable production systems, the association supports household food security while protecting soils, water sources and biodiversity.
APAPE also plays a visible role in environmental health and sanitation. Every Saturday, members organise community clean up activities, collecting plastic waste from streets, public spaces and lakeshore areas. This action reduces pollution that threatens human health, aquatic ecosystems and fish breeding areas. Through these activities, the association raises awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution and the importance of maintaining a clean and safe environment.
In 2025, APAPE initiated one of its most ambitious projects, the establishment of a nursery containing 75,675 indigenous tree seedlings. These include Uber, tamarind, African mahogany locally known as Beyoo, as well as citrus and cocoa species. The seedlings are prepared for free distribution to communities across the Albertine region as part of a broader effort to reforest the mountains bordering Lake Albert. This initiative contributes to climate action, soil stabilisation, water protection and long-term biodiversity recovery in a landscape under increasing pressure.
Beyond environmental restoration, APAPE is actively engaged in defending human rights and economic justice. The association advocates for the rights and safety of fishing communities, documents abuses affecting fishers and lakeshore households and educates landowners on sustainable land management. Its work recognises that environmental degradation often goes hand in hand with social injustice, particularly for women and marginalised groups.
APAPE places strong emphasis on women’s rights in the context of climate justice and sustainable management of lake resources. By supporting women’s participation in decision making and livelihood activities, the association challenges unequal access to resources and promotes more inclusive and equitable community governance. It also engages in education and sensitisation efforts targeting parents, young girls and boys on social responsibility, civic values and the importance of education at all levels.
The association further contributes to community development by promoting hygiene and sanitation, supporting access to water points and encouraging school attendance and educational continuity. Through these combined efforts, APAPE strengthens community resilience, improves public health and builds local capacity to respond to environmental and climate related challenges.
