SHELMA SIBANDA
Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA) in partnership with Hivos, Botnar Foundation, and Green Governance Zimbabwe Trust (GGZT) launched the five-year Urban Futures Project aimed at promoting inclusive and climate-resilient urban cities.
The launch held recently at Cresta Churchill Hotel in Bulawayo was officiated by Chief Director in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Leonard Munamati.
Learnard Munamati, Chief Director in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.
In his address Munati, highlighted the importance of innovation in transforming food systems and encouraged youths to develop new methods of farming, such as hydroponics, aquaculture, mushroom production, and green housing farming.
“Innovation is key in transforming our food systems, this is an opportunity for youths to come up with new innovations in food production, preservation, and value addition,” stated Munamati.
The Urban Futures Project will support youths in employing innovative farming methods such as hydroponics, aquaculture, mushroom production, and green housing farming. This initiative is seen as an opportunity for youths to come up with new innovations in food production, preservation, and value addition.
In addition, the project is a collaborative effort that seeks to empower young people to voice their priorities, influence decisions, and seize opportunities in the food sector. The project aims to boost the country’s economy by fostering shorter value chains that provide healthy, sustainable, and affordable food accessible to all. With implementation planned across ten cities in three regions, Mutare and Zimbabwe have been selected as two cities for the project.
Executive Director of BVTA, Michael Ndiweni
BVTA and GGZT, along with their consortium members, including Nayo, Maya, Green Hut, Unemployed Vulnerable Foundation Trust, Africa Food Revolution, and Lupane State University, were chosen by Hivos as the leading implementing partners for the Urban Futures project.
During the launch, Executive Director of BVTA, Michael Ndiweni, emphasised the importance of creating sustainable youth-led green enterprises, generating jobs, and changing mindsets to develop inclusive narratives and resilient food systems in Bulawayo.
Ndiweni stated, “We are creating sustainable youth-led green enterprises, jobs and changing mindsets that create new inclusive narratives and resilient food systems in Bulawayo.”
The project aims to develop and implement inclusive youth-friendly urban food policies and strategies while holding decision-makers accountable. It also seeks to inspire behavior change through youth-led narratives on inclusive climate-resilient food systems. This will include providing safe spaces for young people to discuss, analyze, strategize, and generate innovative ideas and events to improve the food system in their cities.
Furthermore, the Urban Futures Project aims to increase public and private financial flows to inclusive and climate-resilient food systems, enabling young food entrepreneurs to thrive and creating green job opportunities for the youth.
The launch of the Urban Futures Project marked a significant step towards building inclusive, climate-resilient urban cities in Zimbabwe. Through collaboration and youth empowerment, the project aims to create sustainable food systems, promote economic growth, and foster innovative approaches to food production and value addition.
With the support of their consortium members and stakeholders, BVTA and GGZT are poised to lead the implementation of this transformative initiative in Bulawayo and Mutare, working towards a brighter future for Zimbabwe’s urban communities.
