Country: Rwanda
Client: Sequa / BMZ
Project duration: 01/25 - 12/27
Overall project value:  1.065.000,00 € 

Background of proWOOD+

The project "proWOOD+ - Strengthening the Trade Union for Wood Workers " is a PartnerAfrica-Project within the framework of the Special Initiative on Training and Job Creation of the Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ) between Internationaler Bund e.V. (IB) and the trade union STECOMA of the wood sector in Rwanda. 

The aim of the special initiative, which is called "Decent Work for a Just Transition" since the beginning of 2023, is to use innovative formats and flexible instruments to strengthen the conditions for private investment and to create more and better employment opportunities for the rapidly growing young population in Africa. sequa is responsible to the BMZ for the implementation and quality management of the PartnerAfrica projects.

Since 2001, the Rwandan government has initiated several reforms to improve the country's forestry and timber industry, which, in terms of its importance and contribution to the national economy, had long been neglected. However, it is considered one of Rwanda's key sectors for the creation of sustainable jobs. The Rwandan timber sector currently employs around 75,000 to 100,000 people. Investments in the timber value chain can create jobs on a large scale and contribute around €170 million to economic development.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM) sets the laws and strategies for regulating and promoting the sector. The timber value chain comprises a total of six stages: tree seeds and nurseries, timber production and harvesting, primary timber processing, secondary timber processing, tertiary timber processing, and sales and distribution. Wood processing and distribution are established business areas in Rwanda and are increasingly attracting new investment. The government's Made in Rwanda policy supports local production and the replacement of imported products (Mabel, etc.) from neighboring countries, creating market potential for diversified wood products and wood intermediates.

A significant portion of wood processing takes place in the Integrated Craft Production Centers (ICPCs), which were established by government agencies to develop and promote domestic wood and metal processing products. ICPCs exist in each of Rwanda's 30 districts and offer formally and informally employed craftswomen an umbrella under which they can develop and receive collective support for their activities. Many informal, self-employed craftswomen or those working in small groups work in the ICPCs. This sometimes leads to the creation of small businesses, some of which develop into independent, successful companies in the medium term, offering their wood products beyond the region.

Objectives of proWOOD

The project objective is: “ Through cooperation with the local partner organisations, people working in the Rwandan timber value chain find improved working conditions and opportunities in the sector”

Approach

The project aims in particular to help workers at ICPCs in Rwanda to find better working conditions by providing them with better support and representation, by giving marginalized groups special support, by ensuring that their work and knowledge are valued and officially recognized, and by promoting the sector as a whole through networking measures.

With regard to the conditions for women in Rwanda's timber sector, it should be noted that the proportion of women in the sector as a whole is very low. It is estimated that only around 1,500 women work in the timber sector, which corresponds to around 1.5-2% of the workforce. As part of the proWOOD project, this imbalance was specifically addressed with the Carpentress Club, helping women in the sector in the Western Province to participate more. This will now be tackled on a larger scale in the current project and rolled out nationwide.

Trade unions are naturally weak in a largely autocratic political environment. The only recognized union that is active in the woodworking sector and also represented at the ICPCs is the Syndicat des Travailleurs des Entreprises de Construction, Menuserie et Artisanat (STECOMA). According to its own figures, STECOMA represents 5,000 workers in the sector, but only a fraction of them are paying members. A major obstacle is the large number of informal and self-employed workers who gather in the sector and at the ICPCs. They often live on the breadline, cannot afford to pay membership or social security contributions, and have little interest in formalization and the associated bureaucratic hurdles and fees.

The project therefore focuses on the services provided by STECOMA for workers. A system for the recognition of prior learning (RPL) is being set up to certify the skills and knowledge acquired by workers, thereby improving their employability and earning potential. Only good services, such as certification, can convince workers that it is worthwhile for someone to stand up for them and for corresponding improvements in the sector. According to the Rwanda TVET Board (RTB), trade unions are solely responsible for this. In addition, needs-based training is to be used to close gaps in order to complete certain profiles.

Type of Services Provided

Strengthening the situation of workers in the Rwandan timber sector through: trade union support and representation:

• Development of organizational analysis of the trade union(s);
• Needs analysis among workers in the timber sector;
• Strategy development and selection of key areas of focus;
• Workshops, coaching, consulting on organizational development;
• Development, testing, and implementation of appropriate services;
• Organization of a delegation trip to Germany with Rwandan trade union representatives to learn from German representatives (e.g., 0GB, bfw/iftp, FES);
• Participation in and organization of meetings and events to represent interests vis-à-vis politicians and employers.

Introduction and application of a system for recognizing prior learning in the wood sector:

• Development of the RPL system for workers in the timber sector based on regulations through cooperation between stakeholders;
• Support in conducting tests and RPL examinations;
• Development of courses to close skills gaps for RPL tests for applicants;
• Conducting and supporting training by the trade union(s) to teach missing skills;
• Supporting the RTB and sector working groups in adapting regulations to improve the RPL system in Rwanda.

Organizational strengthening and nationwide rollout of the “Carpentress Club” initiative launched as part of the proWOOD predecessor project to promote women in the sector:

• Organization and strategy development of Carpentress Clubs;
• Organization and implementation of events and meetings with agenda, work packages, and objectives;
• Support for clubs in introducing services;
• Coaching and support for interested women;
• Public relations and advertising for women in the sector.

Strengthening cooperation among stakeholders in the wood value chain in Rwanda:

• Developing and implementing innovations with stakeholders in the value chain;
• Developing and conducting training/further education;
• Organizing and conducting cooperation events;
• Coordinating activities with various actors to strengthen cooperation.