The Association Rwandaise des Ecologistes “ARECO” is an environmental and development organization founded in 1991 by people concerned with environment degradation in Rwanda characterized mainly by soil erosion, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, climate change, water and air pollution. The term “RWANDA NZIZA” was added to "ARECO" to express that the founders were committed to contribute to make Rwanda “more beautiful", the meaning of “NZIZA” in native language Kinyarwanda.
ARECO - RWANDA NZIZA has the status of a non-profit-making association , It was granted legal entity by the Ministerial decree n° 119/05 on the 5th of April, 1992 which was revised by the Ministerial decree n° 180/11 on the 11th of December, 2008. ARECO-RWANDA NZIZA is currently registered with the Rwanda Governance Board(RGB)
The vision of ARECO is “A sustainable, concerted and equitable management of natural resources for environment protection and livelihoods promotion, for the benefit of local communities especially vulnerable groups”
The mission of ARECO is to promote sustainable development trough environment protection, biodiversity conservation and natural resource management, climate actions, community empowerment, gender mainstreaming, awareness creation and advocacy
The Core values of ARECO are: Integrity, Inclusivity and Respect
The objectives of ARECO-RWANDA NZIZA:
· To protect environment
· To conserve biodiversity and manage natural resources
· To promote eco tourism.
· To raise awareness and advocacy
Areas of intervention
ARECO has currently 5 main programs or domains of interventions including
1. Natural resource management, Biodiversity conservation and Ecotourism development
2. Landscape restoration, Climate change and environmental health
3. Capacity development and Gender mainstreaming
4. Research, Awareness and advocacy
Intervention zones
ARECO extends its activities all over the country with a special emphasis on landscapes and ecosystems with high risk of vulnerability especially mountains and protected areas zones including parks and forest reserves, lakes and wetlands.
Currently, ARECO intervenes in North, West and South Provinces in surrounding areas of Nyungwe, Volcanoes and Gishwati-Mukura National Parks and Rugezi Wetland in Burera, Musanze, Nyabihu, Rubavu, Rutsiro, Ngororero, Rusizi and Nyaruguru Districts.
Target groups
The target groups of ARECO-RWANDA NZIZA are grassroots communities especially women and youth in and out of schools and general public. Decision makers and planners are also targeted in activities regarding awareness and advocacy.
Intervention strategy
The strategy used is to empower and facilitate communities gathered in association/cooperatives through livelihood activities aimed at reducing pressure on natural resources.
Partnership and affiliation
ARECO works with various partners in conservation and development including government institutions, development partners, research institutions, civil society organizations, private sector and community based organizations.
ARECO is member of strong organizations and networks including IUCN, Gender and Water Alliance (GWA); International Network on Pops Elimination(IPEN); African Women’s Network for Sustainable development(REFADD); Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS); Nile Basin Discourse Forum(NBDF), Rwanda Environmental NGOs(RENGOF, Member of National Committees of UN Conventions on Climate change, Biological Diversity, Desertification, Ozone Layer, Nagoya Protocol, and PoPs.
