The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is known for its dense tropical forests, which represent 47 percent of tropical African forests, as well as for its fauna and flora diversity. However, population growth and urbanization have led to the degradation of natural ecosystems. The pilot province of South-Kivu has one of the highest population densities in the DRC, with impacts on the Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP) thereby threatening the conservation of this United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site. In addition, the poverty rate in South-Kivu is 80 percent.

The main income­­­­­­­­­­­­­-generating activities are agriculture followed by livestock husbandry. However, the productivity of both activities is decreasing because of the increasing pressure placed upon soil resources and unsustainable exploitation practices, thereby further aggravating poverty and food insecurity of rural communities. Ecosystem restoration is clearly a priority in the DRC based on the national strategies and plans. However, several barriers prevent the implementation of a coordinated restoration effort in the country.