1 May, 2023 - (Geneva, Switzerland) - Today, CAFI is launching a regional Call for Expressions of Interest for a project aimed at fostering social and behavioural change communication (SBCC) in Central Africa. 

This initiative is a testament to CAFI's commitment to mitigating climate change, reducing poverty, and contributing to sustainable development through strategic innovation.

The project seeks to address one of the primary direct drivers of forest disturbance in the region: small-scale deforestation due to wood energy and charcoal production. It is estimated that the production and consumption of wood energy will be responsible for nearly 58 percent of forest degradation and 19 percent of deforestation over the 2010-2030 period. 

For example, despite the immense potential for hydropower and solar energy of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), charcoal and fuelwood remain the main energy sources (96 percent of the energy mix) and national rates of access to electricity are among the lowest in Africa. The use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cooking is still very limited due to price, availability, and a weak supply network. In addition, wood energy is harmful to health, as it can cause respiratory diseases. It is also costly, currently consuming 15 to 30 percent of households incomes. 

One way of addressing the social and behavioral adaptations needed for consumers to educate themselves on cleaner cooking alternatives, and to ultimately and sustainably change inefficient practices, is through Social and Behavioral Change Communication. A number of CAFI-funded projects already implement SBCC, which combines elements from marketing, social mobilization, advocacy, interpersonal communication, and various forms of media to drive positive individual and societal change by influencing behaviours, attitudes and norms. SBCC already plays a critical role across the region in addressing various aspects of, for example, prevention and control of common illnesses and diseases.

With this new call, CAFI is cementing its position as a pioneer in the region in terms of addressing deforestation and forest degradation in innovative and effective ways.

Originally published on www.cafi.org