About Us

Beyond Conservation

We are a life-changing organisation that goes beyond conservation. Working closely together with the Ugandan Wildlife Authority (UWA) and local government, we believe that creating a strong link between conservation and sustainable entrepreneurship, will further improve the living standards of the communities that live around the forest. We use a macro-economic perspective, to create policies and establish fundamentals, such as infrastructure, education, and clean energy- and water supply. These consequently will increase the economic activities at a micro-level. Now, it is our task to support these activities and encourage them to operate sustainable and eco-friendly to maintain our strong relationship to nature.

We make a difference

We are based in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, located just 70 meters away from the Rushaga gate into the forest. Since this part is home to at least 8 habituated groups of Gorilla’s, most visitors are introduced to the forest at the Rushaga gate. We are the one and only organisation in the area that is focused on sustainable and economic awareness. Therefore, we contribute highly to environmental protection, conservation of wildlife and sustainable development of communities and we encourage carbon-free communities.

Community Development Center

In order to operate all these projects and keep our focus on the sole purpose of this organisation, we have build a community development centre, right in the centre of Rushaga Village. This building will not only serve as meeting place for local people with tourists. The centre is accompanied by a library, where children and rangers are able to borrow and read books. Moreover, on the first floor, there is a balcony with beautiful view over the National Park, where freshly roasted coffee and tea are served for those that just came from a Gorilla tracking.

Downstairs there are a couple of sewing machine’s available for those with the skills, which will teach other women once every two weeks. The centre provides them with the material, and the end-products are sold at the shop. Most of the profits goes to the workers, and a small share stays for further development of the centre and its social enterprises.

Personal and Career Benefits

We are evolving more and more trainings for local communities in responsible eco-tourism, conservation and responsible farming. In the process of growing out to have an even bigger impact, we educate and employ locals, in order to run the day-to-day operations of the Bwindi Conservation for Generations projects.

Our values

We believe that grassroots actions will encourage the local community to become more involved with sustainable entrepreneurship. Simultaneously, we value the education of children and maintaining a stable income for those involved in the community development. In this specific region, it is still manageable to establish greenfield projects, which would work in harmony with the nature and simultaneously reduce local unemployment.

Our Story

Over 20 years have passed since Bwindi Impenetrable Forest was declared a national heritage, but environmental protection, conservation and sustainable development have not been taken seriously in the region. Environmental destruction continues to be rampant which in turn hurts the very people that depend on the forest.

When we discovered this, we started this organisation with the aim of integrating conservation and social enterprises, to improve the living standards of these communities, through introducing environmental friendly activities that generate income to the communities. The organisation was birthed for this sole purpose.

Birth of the Idea

After Bruno completed his Bachelor’s degree he could not enter the labour market, because of non-compatible job offers. So, he decided to go back to his village, where he found more youth with the same problem of unemployment. Even the fact that the Southern Sector of Bwindi offers more than 8 habituated Gorilla groups, with gorilla tracking and fertile soils, did not impact the opportunities for the younger generation. He decided to stop his search for jobs and to create opportunities for the youth, with the little available resources. That is how the idea for integrating conservation with social enterprises was birthed. After he met one friend from Switzerland, Remo St. Weber, they discussed the potential of having grassroot actions within the community. Later a friend, Twesiime Silver, decided to help him. This resulted in the founding of Bwindi Conservation for Generations Foundation.