We’re supporting locally-led initiatives to conserve the environment and uplift communities in the Virunga Mountains of East Africa. From organic agriculture to banana bark woven baskets, see how we’re making a difference, together.

OUR BACKGROUND

Red Rocks Initiative for Sustainable Development is an African non-governmental organization established in 2017 to enhance sustainable development in the Virunga Mountains region in East Africa.

We believe in community-driven sustainable development. Red Rocks Initiative supports locally-led environmental conservation and sustainable tourism initiatives. Our initiatives provide viable livelihoods for local communities and have the power to lift underserved communities out of poverty and instill in them a sense of purpose and pride. We rely on the expertise and commitment of both local and international partners to achieve our goals.

Red Rocks Initiative is registered as an NGO with the Rwanda Governance Board with a Certificate of Legal personality N° 765/RGB/NGO/LP/11/2021. We are also a member of the Rwanda Climate Change and Development Network and the Rwanda Environment NGO’s Forum.

Our sister organization, RedRocks Rwanda is a social enterprise and cultural center offering camp facilities, eco-tours, and philanthropic opportunities.

Red Rocks Initiative for Sustainable Development is proud to acquire the Certified Gorilla Friendly® Park Edge Products Certification awarded by Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network (WFEN), under the Certified Gorilla Friendly® Program that is implemented in close partnership with the International Gorilla Conservation Programm (IGCP), a coalition of Conservation International (CI), Fauna and
Flora International (FFI), and World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

This certification shows our commitment to mountain gorilla conservation through the use of best practices based on the Certified Gorilla Friendly® Park Edge Products standards in the production of our products and contribution to the development of robust communities adjacent to the Volcanoes National Park.

OUR WORK

OUR MISSION

Red Rocks Initiative ensures the sustainable social and economic development of communities in the Virunga Mountains region by supporting community-based environmental conservation and sustainable tourism programs. We improve community livelihood through Environmental Conservation, Arts & Culture, Education, and Community Health & Security Initiatives. Our initiatives are community- and partner-driven, and we welcome a variety of collaborators and their ideas – from researchers and volunteers to artists and skilled professionals, and everyone in between.

We believe that locally-led ecotourism should benefit the Virunga Mountain communities while conserving the region’s delicate environment. The success of the community and the environment are inextricably linked, and should therefore be promoted together.

OUR VALUES

Dignity & Respect: We uphold and preserve the dignity, respect, and rights of our initiative beneficiaries, particularly women and girls.
Professionalism & Integrity: Our work is carried out with professionalism and integrity by all of our members, volunteers, staff, and leadership team.
Transparency & Accountability: We are committed to transparency and accountability in our engagements with local communities, partners, and donors.
Self-actualization & Self-reliance: We promote self-actualization and self-reliance among our members and encourage every youth and woman to believe in themselves and reach their full potential.
Partnership & Collaboration: We believe that working together leads to positive outcomes and progress for individuals, families, and entire communities.
Honor & Excellence: We promote a culture of honor and excellence among our own staff and with the people and communities we serve.

Virunga Transboundary Initiative

After achieving success on our initiatives in Rwanda, we thought it’s better to expand our initiatives to our neighbouring countries, Uganda and DRC with whom we share the Virunga massif area, home to the iconic mountain gorillas.
We believe building partnerships which are long lasting, scalable and transformative, are the key to shared value. It’s in this way that we invited our colleagues, from the above mentioned countries, to Join Red Rocks Initiative, as a movement with the common goals of supporting women and youth economic empowerment through innovative collaboration advancing employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for local communities around the Virunga massif.

Thanks to the members from Congo, Gilbert Makerere Tel:+243997253080 Email: info@redrocksinitiative.org and David Newman

Tel +250783440607 Email:  info@redocksinitiative.org  & Sheba Hanyurwa from Uganda, Tel : +256772435148 Email: info@redrocksinitiative.org .

Thanks for your dedication and willingness to carry the same mission of the initiative across the borders linked to community based conservation initiative, around the Virunga Massive.