CRAFT Project Kick-off Meeting – 7 & 8 July 2025 in Libreville

From July 7 to 8, 2025, Libreville will host the kick-off meeting of the CRAFT project, an ambitious initiative led by the Congo Basin Science Initiative (CBSI). The CRAFT project (Collaborative Research and Academic Framework for Tropical Forests) aims to strengthen scientific and academic collaboration around the tropical forests of the Congo Basin.

Fostering Collaboration from the Start
Launched in January 2025, the CRAFT project is entering its first active phase, with the first cohort of students expected to begin in September 2025.

A Two-Part Meeting

• Day 1: Partner presentations, establishment of the methodological framework, discussions on student supervision, and the launch of research projects.

• Day 2: Strategic planning for the next steps, deliverables timeline, alignment of observatories, and preparation of the CBSI annual conference.

Towards Integrated and Transdisciplinary Research
The CRAFT project aims to be a catalyst for interdisciplinary research in the Congo Basin, with a strong focus on training the next generation of African scientists. It embodies a commitment to collaborative science rooted in local realities while engaging with global challenges.