Kigali, 10 September 2026 : A study conducted by Transparency International Rwanda (TI-Rwanda) has found that the District Development Strategies (DDS) of 10 assessed districts provide 60.9% indicative support for Rwanda’s NDC 3.0 adaptation and mitigation priorities, placing the overall level of alignment in the category of “Likely Substantially Integrated.”
The findings of the Baseline Study on the Integration of NDC 3.0 into District Development Strategies (DDS) in 10 Districts of Rwanda were released today during the National Dialogue on Effective Integration and Implementation of Rwanda’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0 in District Plans, held in Kigali.
Rwanda’s NDC 3.0 aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 53% by 2035, while strengthening climate resilience and promoting sustainable development. At the decentralized level, District Development Strategies provide the framework through which national priorities are translated into local interventions. The baseline assessment therefore examined how NDC 3.0 priorities are reflected in district planning, budgeting and implementation frameworks.
The assessment covered 10 districts—Gisagara, Ngoma, Ngororero, Nyanza, Nyagatare, Nyaruguru, Nyamagabe, Rusizi, Ruhango and Rutsiro—and examined policy integration, planning and budgeting, sectoral mainstreaming, climate data and planning systems, governance and inclusion, institutional capacity and climate finance.
Overall alignment shows substantial support, but important gaps remain
The assessment found varying levels of alignment across NDC 3.0 target areas. Climate finance recorded the highest level of likely support at 70%, followed by Forestry and Land Use at 67.5%, Agriculture and National Mitigation priorities at 62.5% each, and Water Resources and Health Adaptation at 60% each. Disaster Risk Management recorded 55% support, while Urbanisation and Settlements stood at 50%.
However, two areas recorded notably lower levels of alignment. Mining recorded 35% partial support, while loss and damage data systems recorded 30% partial support, highlighting gaps in the integration of climate-compliance measures and systems for tracking climate-related losses and damages at district level.
The study also identified differences in the extent to which NDC 3.0 priorities are reflected across district planning frameworks. The assessment found that NDC 3.0 priorities were integrated at 83% in the reviewed policy frameworks, while the integration of sector strategies stood at 80%, disaster risk reduction tools at 75%, the National Environment Policy at 73%, and the Green Growth Strategy at 65%.
In planning and budgeting, the assessment found that 83% of reviewed frameworks included NDC-related priorities, while 80% were reflected in annual plans. However, the presence of baselines, risk assessments, budget links and climate screening was comparatively lower, indicating areas requiring further strengthening in translating climate priorities into implementation and financing.
Sectoral integration remains uneven
The findings show that climate priorities are not integrated equally across sectors. Agriculture and environment recorded the strongest sectoral integration, at 80% each, followed by water at 63%. Energy stood at 53%, transport at 48%, urbanisation at 45%, while mining recorded the lowest level at 28%.
The study also found that climate data and planning systems remain an area for further strengthening. Sectoral integration was assessed at 75%, while data use stood at 68% and risk planning at 65%.
Participation and inclusion are present, but citizen-anchored accountability needs strengthening
The survey findings indicate that government actors were the most frequently identified stakeholders involved in DDS planning processes, at 87%, followed by civil society organizations at 73% and the private sector at 70%. The assessment also recorded reported inclusion of women and youth at 82% each, persons with disabilities at 80%, and elderly people at 79%.
At the same time, the study identified limited stakeholder participation and inclusion and limited citizen-anchored accountability for climate action among the key gaps requiring attention. It recommends strengthening citizen participation through community scorecards, accessible grievance and feedback mechanisms, and civil society monitoring of climate commitments, investments and service delivery.
Commenting on the findings, Apollinaire Mupiganyi, TI-Rwanda Executive Director, said : “Climate commitments made by our government only become real when they are planned, budgeted and delivered especially at local level. The DDS is where national ambition meets citizens’ daily lives.” He added : “Risks of corruption in climate change-funded projects or lack of citizens’ participation in decentralized climate governance policies and budgeting processes may exacerbate negative effects of climate change on the livelihood of the community.”
The Executive Director further emphasized the importance of strengthening accountability as Rwanda translates its national climate commitments into local development actions.
Study recommends stronger sectoral guidance, monitoring and citizen accountability
Based on the identified gaps, the study recommends developing sector-specific NDC 3.0 guidelines that integrate climate targets, risk measures, indicators and budgets into sector plans. It also calls for standardized systems to record, quantify and report climate-related losses and damages at district level.
The study further recommends establishing NDC-aligned monitoring and evaluation frameworks, conducting regular performance reviews, and strengthening participation of women, youth and persons with disabilities in JADF and community climate-planning forums, with their inputs documented in district plans and budgets.
The assessment also highlights the value of existing practices that support NDC integration, including joint planning platforms, sectoral coordination structures, and alignment with national frameworks such as NST2 and Vision 2050.
The baseline study was conducted under the Citizen Action for Climate Resilience (CACR) Project, which seeks to strengthen climate governance, citizen participation, accountability and community climate resilience.
About the Baseline Study
The baseline study was conducted under the Citizen Action for Climate Resilience (CACR) Project, implemented by Transparency International Rwanda (TI-Rwanda) in partnership with Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA-Rwanda) and other local civil society organizations, with funding from the Danish Government. The project seeks to strengthen climate governance, citizen participation, accountability and community climate resilience in Rwanda.
The study used a mixed-methods, cross-sectional design, combining a review of policies, laws, strategies and reports with 114 structured surveys, key informant interviews with JADF officers, 10 focus group discussions involving 78 community participants, and field observations.
For media Contact
Mr. Dieudonne Manirakiza
Communication Coordinator
Email : dmanirakiza@tirwanda.org
Tel : +250783111412