Gicumbi District today hosted Transparency International Rwanda (TI-Rwanda) to introduce a new European Union-funded initiative designed to enhance accountability and safeguard citizens’ rights in public infrastructure projects. The three-year project, known as “Alliances and Partnerships for Evidence-led Environmental and Social Safeguarding Accountability (APESA)”, or Ijwi Ryanjye mu Iterambere Rirambye (INTERA) in Kinyarwanda, seeks to ensure that development initiatives are socially inclusive and environmentally responsible.

Welcoming the project, Mayor Nzabonimpa Emmanuel emphasized the district’s commitment to transparency and citizen participation. “We are pleased to partner with TI-Rwanda to ensure that development projects in Gicumbi are implemented in a way that respects the rights of all citizens,” he said. “It is essential that our communities are actively involved in decisions that affect their lives.”

TI-Rwanda, in collaboration with the Partnership for Transparency Fund (PTF) Europe, will implement the APESA project in 13 districts nationwide. Dr Abias Maniragaba,  APESA Project Coordinator, highlighted the importance of collaboration with local authorities. “Strong partnerships between civil society and local government are critical to promoting compliance with environmental and social safeguards,” he said. “Our goal is to empower communities affected by large-scale infrastructure projects to access justice and hold implementers accountable.”

The project will focus on creating systems that monitor compliance with environmental and social standards, facilitate citizen engagement, and promote transparency in decision-making processes. During today’s meeting, TI-Rwanda presented the project’s objectives and explored areas of cooperation with Gicumbi District leadership to ensure smooth implementation.

Through APESA/INTERA, TI-Rwanda aims to set a precedent for evidence-based oversight and accountability in public infrastructure development, contributing to Rwanda’s broader vision of sustainable, inclusive, and socially responsible growth.