Veronique Bulaya

Meet Veronique Bulaya, a courageous and young leader of various projects that support indigenous youth and women in the restoration of biodiversity in community forests. Doing this through planting and managing edible caterpillar trees in South Kivu, DR Congo. Veronique Bulaya manages and coordinates several projects at PIFEVA (Pillar to Vulnerable Women Active in DR Congo) funded by partners and international donors. She is specialized in fields like environment, climate change, Sustainable livelihoods, Biodiversity and Natural resources and women’s rights in eastern DR Congo. But most of all, she protects the forests. Veronique Bulaya has lots of field experience in taking action against deforestation. Also, she advocates and researches the protection and rational management of forest resources in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Veronique Bulaya is an active member at Major Group of Children and Youth to UN Environment (UNEP-MGCY) and at Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN).

Veronique Bulaya makes a difference in the fight for equality in women’s rights and improves their living conditions. She does this with lots of creativity and commitment to supporting rural women communities and creating sustainable development in DRC.
A powerful project, which Veronique Bulaya initiated, is the restoration of the biodiversity of community forests. She did this through the plantation and the rational management of edible caterpillar trees. The territory of Mwenga has a severe problem of destruction of its forest ecosystem as a result of uncontrolled logging. Many local tribes experience poverty and climatic disturbances like losing food sources. One example is the caterpillar, which indigenous people use as a food source and make a living.

The JWHi Grant, given to Veronique Bulaya, is used for improving English. To overcome barriers and to strengthen her leadership in her work. Veronique Bulaya will be able to speak two important languages French and English professionally. Since English is an international language and most commonly used, it will allow her to discuss with people from all over the world and engage in global climate communications. She can serve her communities independently and manage natural resources more efficiently.