AY4SF - Adolescents and Youth for a Sustainable Future: strengthening climate change adaptation and community resilience through green jobs in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is among the twenty most climate-vulnerable countries worldwide (ranked 174 out of 187 on ND-GAIN 2023). With 70 to 80 per cent of livelihoods reliant on rain-fed agriculture, climate shocks devastate food security, incomes, and social stability. Adolescents and youth, who comprise 62 per cent of the population, are particularly affected. They face reduced agricultural opportunities, disrupted education, climate-induced migration, and unemployment (especially young women). Without targeted interventions, climate impacts will deepen vulnerability, inequality, and poverty.

This project will strengthen climate resilience in Zimbabwe by empowering adolescents and youth with the skills, resources, and opportunities needed to drive local climate adaptation efforts. The initiative seeks to reduce climate vulnerability and improve livelihoods across six districts in three provinces by fostering green job creation and facilitating access to finance. It will also support the restoration and sustainable management of 56,750 hectares of land, strengthening ecosystems critical to rural livelihoods.

The project will achieve three interlinked outcomes with social, gender, economic, and environmental co-benefits: empowering adolescents and youth to co-design and implement local adaptation plans in partnership with their communities, private sector and governments; restoring local degraded ecosystems; and supporting the development of climate-resilient value chains for crops, livestock, and agroforestry by equipping local producers.

Central to the project’s approach is Locally Led Adaptation (LLA), operationalised through the development of Local Adaptation Plans (LAPs) that build on existing Local Environmental Action Plans.