Red Rocks Initiatives for Sustainable Development
Red Rocks Initiatives for Sustainable Development is a non-profit organization operating in the wider Virunga massif of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was founded in 2013 to integrate tourism, and also to find ways through which tourism not only count for or benefit travelers, but also help tourism destinations in the Virunga massif.
Red Rocks initiatives were established from the idea that conservation has the power to lift disadvantaged people out of poverty and instill in them a sense of purpose and pride.
The main goal is to see how community based tourism can turn up to be a tool of development around the area that we operate in, and reduce the pressure of the local community on entering into the National park, in order protect the involvement and Nature, that are the pillow of our future.
Red Rocks Initiatives is dedicated to integrate tourism and conservation for sustainable community development. Most importantly to lobby for and market the adaptation of community-based tourism as part of the region’s development agenda. Red Rocks Initiatives has managed to put eco-tourism agenda as part of its programs to promote development around Virunga massif. It continues to involve the local community and forge partnership with other like-minded organizations to promote its community development programs in the region. (1) Community & Conservation: Red Rocks Initiatives has established several activities that target the local community towards sustainable development. We believe responsible tourism has the power to uplift the living standards of the vulnerable local community, many of them suffering from debilitating poverty, these activities includes. Conservation and Community-based Ecotourism are the key drivers of our country’s prosperity. With this in mind, Red Rocks Initiatives for Sustainable Development implements a resourceful Community Program that underscores its mission to support the local community.
(2) Initiatives Researchers Project is a collaborative research project targeting different professionals, organizations, institutions, authorities, and students into effective tourism, conservation and community management and development strategies, how those strategies can be critical and result into immediate action to benefit conservation and sustainable development in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
(3) Community Initiatives Project: Red Rock’s Community Initiatives Project focuses on key pillars that support its mission and vision of integrating tourism, conservation and community development. The programs target the communities living in the Virunga massif as the main focus for involving them in a wide range of issues and programs meant to bring about sustainable development.
The objective is to empower the local communities through promoting their basic rights, improving their environmental management systems, supporting innovations and sustainability, and strengthening the locals to engage in activities that enhance their livelihoods and health among others. All the programs are in line with ultimately achieving “Agenda 2030”. They include, and not limited to: (a) Art for Conservation, (b) Animal Welfare in Rwanda, DRC and Uganda, (c) Football for Conservation, (d) Tree Planting, (e) Youth Empowerment, (f) Supporting Green Parks and Protected Areas, (g) Research Projects, (h) Conservation Areas, (i) Involving Community in Environmental Conservation and (j) Coffee and Gorilla Conservation (DRC).
