Lake Chad Basin Conservation Project (PCBLT)
2023-03-01 00:00 - 2026-12-31 00:00 (Africa/Lagos)
Lake Chad Basin Conservation Project (PCBLT)

Duration: March 2023 – December 2026
Budget: CAD $25 million, + CAD $1.1M of in-kind contribution from Alinea and its consortium partners
Financial Partner: Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
Implementing Partner: Alinea International
Strategic Partner: Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC)
Consortium Partners: Centre for Forestry Education and Research (CERFO), Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER), United Nations Association in Canada (UNAC), Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights and Development in Africa (CPHDA)
Community Partners: AGIR Plus- Niger, Alliance Citoyenne pour le Développement et l’Education à l’Environnement (ACEEN-Cameroon) and Organisation Sauvons le Lac Tchad (OSLT-Chad)
Introduction
The Lake Chad Basin Conservation Project (LCBCP) strengthens the climate resilience of ecosystems and marginalized communities, particularly women and youth, across six Ramsar sites in Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. These regions face ecological degradation, biodiversity loss, hydrological instability, and increasing tensions around the utilization of natural resources.
Project Pillars
Wetland Conservation & Climate Adaptation
The project promotes the restauration and conservation of wetlands and agropastoral areas by marginalized communities highly vulnerable to climate change, across protected areas of the Lake Chad Basin registered under the Ramsar Convention.
Through community-led restoration, climate adaptation practices, and environmental stewardship, the project protects fragile ecosystems while improving community resilience to climate shocks.
Women & Youth Economic Empowerment
The project supports women and youth in vulnerable agropastoral communities located within and around priority Ramsar sites to adopt and benefit from sustainable, climate-smart agricultural livelihoods.
By strengthening adaptive capacities, income-generating activities, and access to productive resources, the project enhances food security, economic resilience, and adaptation to climate change.
Environmental Peacebuilding & Leadership
The project enhances the leadership of women and youth in environmental peacebuilding around targeted Ramsar sites and within existing regional stabilization processes. By strengthening inclusive governance, dialogue, and community engagement, the project reinforces social cohesion and peace across the Lake Chad Basin and contributes to the Regional Stabilization Strategy of the LCBC and its partners.
Objectives
The project aims to:

Restore degraded ecosystems and strengthen biodiversity.
Support the utilization of NbS for climate adaptation and resilience.
Promote inclusive and equitable resource governance.
Advance gender equality and social inclusion.
Support climate-resilient livelihoods for women, youth, and marginalized groups.
Strengthen cross-border environmental cooperation.
Integrate environmental peacebuilding into regional stabilization processes.

Key Activities and Components
Nature-Based Solutions & Ecosystem Restoration

Restoring 10,000 hectares of wetlands and agropastoral areas.
Promoting climate-smart agriculture and NbS-linked livelihood promotion.
Training of 1,500 government and regional-level officials in NbS, resources mobilization, climate adaptation, and biodiversity preservation/monitoring.

Gender Equality & Social Inclusion

Increasing women and youth participation in conservation and governance.
Improving equitable access to natural resources, including land.
Engaging men and boys as allies in gender-responsive climate action.

Expanding gender-transformative initiatives that improve equity in decision-making, resource access, and leadership at both household and community levels.

Income-Generating Activities (IGAs)

Supporting women-led and youth-led IGAs linked to NbS (agroforestry, sustainable fisheries, seed production, restoration services).
Providing microgrants to community associations, cooperatives and small-scale producers.
Offering coaching in green entrepreneurship, market development, and sustainable value chains.
Promoting climate-resilient IGAs that support conservation and household income.

Community Governance & Environmental Peacebuilding

Strengthening local and transboundary governance structures.

Facilitating dialogue on natural resource use and developing natural resource management strategies at the community level.

Providing technical assistance and training on environmental peacebuilding and monitoring and evaluation of stabilisation efforts

Zones of Intervention (Ramsar Wetlands Sites)
Chad

Lac Fitri
Logone Floodplains & Toupouri Depressions
Bahr Aouk & Salamat Floodplains

Cameroon

Waza Logone Floodplains

Niger

Lac de Guidimouni
Mare de Lasouri

Expected Achievements and Impact
The project aims to strengthen the climate resilience of ecosystems and marginalized communities, particularly women and youth, across the Lake Chad Basin through NbS.
Its expected quantitative results are listed below:

10,000 hectares of wetland/agropastoral areas restored.
1,500 government and LCBC officials trained (30% women).
3,000 Gender Model Families sensitized and trained.
315,000 direct beneficiaries, including 75% women.
Over 2 million people benefiting from improved ecosystem services.
2.7 million displaced persons indirectly benefiting from environmental peacebuilding integration.

Key Achievements

NB: As of October 2025
Restauration

Mapping and public dissemination of ecological and socio-economic restoration sites completed, enabling coordinated planning and action among stakeholders.
Tree-planting missions conducted in degraded forest, wetland, and agro-pastoral landscapes, with strong community participation.
Labour-Intensive (HIMO) approach introduced to restore degraded wetlands and agro-pastoral lands, creating local green jobs and promoting inclusive restoration work.
Restoration tools, equipment, plants, and seeds provided to local communities.
Training of hundreds of community members in seed collection, nursery establishment, tree-planting, restoration techniques delivered
Workshops on NbS financing offered to national government and regional officials.
Multinational workshops on biodiversity monitoring systems, involving specialists from Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and partner countries, hosted.
Coordination missions with technical services in forestry, agriculture, and environmental management implemented to strengthen institutional collaboration.

Income-Generating Activities:

31 micro-grants (value of 4 million CFA each) offered to support innovative IGAs in wetlands, climate-smart agriculture, agro-pastoral production, and women-led green enterprises.
Capacity-building missions conducted to strengthen micro-grant recipient groups in management, financial literacy, and sustainability.
Women’s groups knowledge and network empowered thought their participation in national platforms exhibitions and forums.
Training delivered on (micro)business development and management to community groups, associations and cooperatives.
Women and youth integrated into field-based activities, including restoration work, nursery development, and IGA expansion.

Gender Equality:

Development of the first National Action Plan for Women’s Land Rights in Chad, a landmark policy achievement integrating gender equality into land governance and national restoration priorities, and a Regional Action Plans on Women’s Land Rights also developed and adopted in Cameroon, strengthening regional alignment and multi-country commitment to gender-responsive land governance.
Rollout of the GMF approach with civil society partners, including mentor training, community sensitization, and development of household-level gender action plans.
Strengthened gender-responsive programming, with women and youth increasingly participating in natural-resource governance, restoration committees, and community dialogues.
Introduction and expansion of the masculine leaders’ approach, engaging influential men and male youth as allies in gender equality, supporting household transformation, and promoting positive masculinities in restoration, land governance, and family well-being.

Environmental Peacebuilding

Community dialogues held to identify current issues and potential solutions.
Existing community-based natural resource management structures strengthened.
Development of Natural Resources Management Strategies initiated at the community-level.
Community radio journalists trained to deliver conflict-sensitive messaging on climate, land, and natural resources.
Joint restoration activities (tree planting, wetland rehabilitation, HIMO) reduced tensions between farmers, pastoralists, fishers, and youth by creating shared community workspaces.

Success stories:
Here are a few examples of how PCBLT is transforming lives across the Lake Chad Basin:

Income Generating Activities (IGA)
Ms. Charlotte Inna
Member, SCOOPS DINGUI ZI FALAKAÏ Cooperative
Maga, Chad

This story highlights how integrated agro-fisheries, women’s leadership, and circular agriculture are strengthening livelihoods, food security, and climate resilience in Maga.

“Before the project, fish farming in Maga was done in a very basic way and depended entirely on the river. With the support of the Lake Chad Basin Conservation Project, the group installed above-ground fish tanks, making production easier and more reliable. Today, the water from the fish tanks is reused to irrigate vegetable gardens, enriching the soil naturally and reducing waste. Managed entirely by women, this circular system now allows them to produce both fish and vegetables year-round — even during the biological rest period when fishing is prohibited. As a result, incomes are increasing, and the community is no longer fully dependent on the river.”

Gender
Mr. Mahamadou Ousseini
Participant in the Gender Model Family training
Lassouri, Zinder Region – Niger

Before participating in the Gender Model Family training under the Lake Chad Basin Conservation Project, Mahamadou and his wife followed traditional gender roles where all domestic work fell on his wife while he worked in the fields. Through the training, Mahamadou realized how heavy her daily workload truly was. After the training, he made a commitment to change. He now helps fetch water, supports childcare, and takes the children to school. Despite concerns about community pressure, he remains determine. Mahamadou’s journey reflects how positive masculinities and shared responsibilities can transform family life and inspire change within the wider community.

“For me, family comes first. If I can help my wife in her many tasks, I will do it — no matter what people think.”

Environmental Peacebuilding
Mr. Yves Phono Kepin
Journalist, Radio Terre Nouvelle
Chad

As part of the Lake Chad Basin Conservation Project’s environmental peacebuilding component, Mr. Yves Phono Kepin took part in a specialized training for community radio journalists on climate change and environmental peace. In a context marked by climate variability, resource competition, and recurring community conflicts, the training strengthened his ability to raise awareness through radio programming on peaceful and inclusive natural resource management. Today, through radio broadcasts, community dialogues, and awareness campaigns, he is actively contributing to promoting environmental peace and reducing conflicts linked to natural resource use.

“This training helped me better understand environmental peace. The knowledge we gained will allow us to sensitize our communities on climate change, peaceful resource management, and social cohesion,” he shared.

Partnerships and Stakeholders
Canadian Partners

CERFO– Expertise in remote sensing, GIS, forest management, and monitoring.
CIER– Expertise in traditional, local, and Indigenous knowledge systems supporting inclusive stewardship.
UNAC– Leads youth empowerment initiatives, especially for young women and girls.

African Partners

CPHDA- A regional rights-based organization from Africa that leads peacebuilding, community mobilization, and inclusive natural-resource governance across fragile and displacement-affected areas of the Lake Chad Basin.
OSLT- A Chad-based NGO recognized for its strong proximity to communities, deep local knowledge, and its ability to deliver climate, gender, and peacebuilding interventions in fragile and hard-to-reach areas of the Lake Chad Basin.
ACEEN – A Cameroonian NGO that works with both resident and transhumant communities to promote environmental protection, sustainable natural-resource management, and peaceful socio-economic development in the Far North region of Cameroon and the wider Lake Chad Basin.
Agir Plus 21- A Niger-based NGO working across seven regions to strengthen governance, education, youth empowerment, food security, health, and protection through rights-based and community-driven development approaches.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

Security constraints requiring adaptive planning.
Climate variability disrupting restoration efforts.
Persistent gender norms needing sustained engagement.
Institutional capacity strengthening essential for sustainability.

Way Forward

Scale up and accelerate NbS across wetlands and degraded landscapes, supported by stronger ecological monitoring and regional data-sharing systems.
Strengthen gender-responsive climate leadership, with a focus on empowering women and youth as decision-makers in conservation, land governance, and peacebuilding processes along with male allies.
Expand climate-resilient IGAs and green entrepreneurship, linking community enterprises to NbS value chains, markets, and sustainable financing mechanisms.
Reinforce inclusive community governance structures to support the co-management of wetlands, natural resources, and transboundary landscapes.
Deepen technical collaboration and knowledge exchange with CERFO, CIER, UNAC, CPHDA, and regional learning networks to scale proven approaches and innovations.
Advance long-term conservation planning through wetland management plans, community conservation agreements, and strengthened alignment with national and regional policies.

For more information, resources, or partnership opportunities, visit:
🌐 https://pcblt.alineainternational.com/

Technical Support Project for the Restoration of the Ecological and Economic Functions of the Lake Chad Basin (PARFEBALT)
2025-01-01 08:00 - 2028-08-29 17:00
Technical Support Project for the Restoration of the Ecological and Economic Functions of the Lake Chad Basin (PARFEBALT)
Overview
The PARFEBALT Project is a multinational initiative implemented by the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) with financial support from the African Development Bank Group (AfDB). The project aims to lay the technical, institutional, and knowledge foundations necessary for the long-term revitalization of the Lake Chad Basin.
Covering Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and the Central African Republic, PARFEBALT responds to the urgent need to address environmental degradation, declining water resources, and socio-economic vulnerabilities affecting millions of people in the region.
The Lake Chad Basin, home to over 45 million people, has experienced significant shrinkage and ecosystem degradation due to climate variability, unsustainable resource use, and demographic pressures, making restoration efforts both urgent and strategic.

Project Development Objective
The overall objective of PARFEBALT is to:
Restore the ecological and economic functions of Lake Chad and strengthen the resilience of basin populations through improved water resource management, ecosystem revitalization, and enhanced institutional capacity.
The project also aims to create the necessary conditions for mobilizing large-scale investments for the restoration and sustainable development of the basin.

Project Components
Component 1: Preparatory Studies for the Lake Chad Revitalization Programme
Objective: Develop the technical and analytical basis for future large-scale investments.
Key Activities:

Conduct technical, environmental, socio-economic, and climate studies
Assess options to improve water flows in the Chari–Logone and Komadugu-Yobe river systems
Prepare bankable investment programmes for Lake Chad restoration
Undertake feasibility studies and environmental and social impact assessments.

Component 2: Support for Improving Knowledge of Water Resources
Objective: Strengthen monitoring systems and enhance understanding of basin dynamics.
Key Activities:

Expand hydrometeorological and hydrogeological monitoring systems
Establish early warning systems for floods and droughts
Improve data collection, analysis, and information sharing
Build technical and institutional capacities within LCBC and Member States.

Component 3: Project Management
Objective: Ensure effective implementation, coordination, and monitoring of project activities.
Key Activities:

Establish and operate the Project Management Unit (PMU)
Implement monitoring and evaluation systems
Conduct financial and procurement audits
Strengthen coordination among stakeholders

Expected Results

Improved knowledge and monitoring of water resources in the Lake Chad Basin
Development of technically sound and investment-ready restoration programmes
Strengthened institutional and technical capacities of LCBC and Member States
Enhanced regional cooperation and coordination in water resource management
Mobilization of financial resources for large-scale basin restoration initiatives.pdf)

Cross-Cutting Themes

Climate Resilience: Addressing climate variability and strengthening adaptation strategies
Gender and Inclusion: Promoting participation of women and youth in governance and economic activities
Regional Integration: Enhancing cooperation among Member States
Peace and Stability: Supporting sustainable livelihoods and reducing resource-based conflicts.

Alignment with Strategic Frameworks
PARFEBALT is aligned with key regional and international development frameworks, including:

LCBC Strategic Action Programme (2023–2035)
African Development Bank’s High 5 Priorities
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – particularly SDG 6, SDG 13, and SDG 15
African Union Agenda 2063.

Financing and Implementation

Executing Agency: Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC)
Financing Partner: African Development Bank Group
Total Project Cost: Approximately UA 7 million (AfDB financing).
Implementation Period: 2025 – 2028.pdf)

Conclusion
PARFEBALT represents a critical milestone in the collective efforts of LCBC Member States and partners to reverse decades of environmental decline in the Lake Chad Basin. By strengthening knowledge systems, institutional capacity, and investment readiness, the project lays the foundation for a sustainable, resilient, and prosperous future for the region.

Contact
Implementing Agency: Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC)
Financing Partner: African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

Investment Planning for the Sustainable and Equitable Development of the Lake Chad Basin’s Natural Resources (PIBALT)
2026-03-04 08:00 - 2026-12-31 17:00
Investment Planning for the Sustainable and Equitable Development of the Lake Chad Basin’s Natural Resources (PIBALT)
Background
The Lake Chad Basin, 2.5 million km² in size, is a living space for nearly 45 million people, including 2 million living around the lake. The ecosystem is under strong pressure due to:

the effects of climate change;
hydrological variability;
the degradation of biodiversity;
the rapid increase in population;
socio-economic fragilities exacerbated by insecurity (Boko Haram and ISWAP).

In order to respond to these challenges, the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) has adopted a New Strategic Action Programme (SAP 2023-2037), requiring a Five-Year Investment Plan (FYIP) to structure priority actions.

Overall objective
Rebuild the economy of the Lake Chad Basin through sustainable, efficient and equitable exploitation of natural resources, through the development of a five-year Investment Plan based on SAP (2023-2037).

Specific objectives

Assess the impact of the first Five-Year Investment Plan (FYIP 2013-2017).
Identify and prioritize investment actions aligned with the environmental objectives (EQO) of SAP (2023-2037).
Strengthen the capacities of regional and national institutions.
Mobilize technical and financial partners for the financing of Lake Chad Basin projects.

Expected results
Short-term (during the project)

Full impact assessment of the 1st FYIP.
Development of a 2nd Five-Year Investment Plan including at least 20 bankable project sheets.
Organization of a validation workshop and an investor round table.

Medium term

Improved governance of water and natural resources.
Strengthening the climate resilience of communities in the basin.
Capacity building of the LCBC and Member States.

Beneficiaries
Direct

Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC)
National Water and Environmental Management Institutions
Institutional actors from the 5 countries of the conventional basin: Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, CAR.

Indirect

The 45 million inhabitants of the basin and the 2 million living around the lake.
Women, youth and vulnerable groups, whose livelihoods depend on natural resources.

Project components
Component I: Development of the 2nd Five Years Investment Plan

Evaluation of the 1st FYIP (2009–2018)
Identification of sectoral investment opportunities

Agriculture
Ageing
Fishing
Energy
Trade and navigation

Development of at least 20 project sheets aligned with SAP EQOs
Development of the 2024 – 2029 Investment Plan
Climate risk assessment and development of a resilience plan
Support for the organization of the donors’ round table

Component II: Project Management (LCBC)

Administrative functioning, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, audit.
