Cooperation Program Democratic Republic of the Congo

Exit from project work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Since its foundation over twenty years ago, Mission 21 has been involved in projects in the Democratic Republic (DR) of Congo. The focus of the project work has been on the Kwango region, a "region almost forgotten by the state", as the local population describes it. The region is characterized by extreme poverty and almost non-existent infrastructure. There is a lack of all the basic necessities of life, food, clean water, access to education and healthcare.

Due to insufficient compliance with our standards of good governance, Mission 21 was unfortunately forced to end its project cooperation with its partner organizations Communauté Evangelique du Kwango (CEK) and ACCOJED in 2024.

Mission 21 deeply regrets that the organizational conditions at our previous partners in the DR Congo are no longer in place to be able to carry out professional development cooperation in accordance with our standards.

As part of a phasing out in 2025, Mission 21's involvement in the DR Congo focused on capacity building for project managers and supporting emergency aid by distributing medicines, food and hygiene products in cooperation with an independent local trusted third party. We also conducted advocacy with authorities and international NGOs to raise awareness of the need in Kwango and to promote networking between the projects and government and non-governmental bodies. Phasing out has strengthened the project leaders' self-confidence and equipped them to continue the projects without support from Mission 21.

We are very grateful to all donors for their support.

Mission 21 is active in 15 countries worldwide. Also in contexts where crises and conflicts have a severe impact on people's everyday lives. Learn more here more about opportunities to provide humanitarian aid for particularly vulnerable people.