Overall Goal
To improve sustainable livelihoods, economic well-being, and climate resilience of youths in Chimanimani District by December 2026.
Project Goal
To build the capacity of young people in Chimanimani district to transition to sustainable, profitable, and climate-resilient livelihoods through the adoption of diversified agroecological practices by December 2026.
Outcomes
OC1: Youth have increased income through the adoption of diversified agroecological enterprises/ practices/ initiatives.
OC2: Caregivers are empowered to support youths towards diversified agroecological livelihood options.
OC3: Community actors are empowered to support youths towards diversified agroecological livelihood options.
OC4: Duty bearers and public institutions have improved capacity to promote social and ecological transformation, food sovereignty, and climate resilience.
Outputs
OP 1: Trained youths have established diverse agroecological enterprises/practices.
OP2: Caregivers sensitized on agroecology and or social ecological transition.
OP 3: Community actors sensitized on agroecology and or social ecological transition.
OP 4: Duty bearers and public institutions trained in agroecology principles and or social ecological transition
Project Summary
FPC is implementing a project titled “Youth-Led Livelihoods Centred Agroecological Transition” in Ward 7 of Chimanimani District, Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe.
The district faces significant socio-ecological challenges, largely due to climate change, which has led to food insecurity (marked by low crop and livestock productivity), lack of income-generating projects, limited youth access to decent economic opportunities, and inadequate access to safe, healthy, nutritious food, markets, and financial resources. These challenges put pressure on youths, forcing them to resort to negative coping strategies such as school dropouts (due to distance, hunger, and to become de facto parents), early marriages, drug and substance abuse, child labour, crime, migration, and transactional sex.
The project’s main target group is youths (60% female and 40% male), as they are disproportionately affected by these issues. Given this context, the project aims to improve the sustainable livelihoods, economic well-being, and climate resilience of young people in Chimanimani District. This goal will be achieved by building their capacity to transition to sustainable, profitable, and climate-resilient livelihoods through the adoption of diversified agroecological practices.
The key interventions designed to meet these objectives are market-led and youth-led agroecological models, which will serve as agroecology village business units. The project will also diversify income options by introducing greener economic alternatives. These include apiculture (beekeeping), aquaculture, value addition of non-timber forest products, small livestock production (e.g., poultry), and mushroom cultivation. In addition, the project will provide youths with both technical skills training in agroecology and entrepreneurship and business mentorship, ensuring youths can realize tangible economic benefits from these SE ventures. Ultimately, the project will ensure market linkages and private sector engagement to enhance market competitiveness and ensure the sustainability of these enterprises.