Harare, Zimbabwe, November 2025
Action 24 successfully hosted the Youth Climate Adaptation Training in Harare, under the theme “Strengthening Technical Capacity for Viable Climate Adaptation Solutions in Zimbabwe. This initiative was part of the replication of the Youth Academy on Adaptation and Leadership supported by the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA).
THE CHALLENGE AND OUR TRAINING MODEL
As the In-Country Focal Point for the GCA Youth Adaptation Network (YAN) Action 24 recognized a critical gap: the need to equip young climate champions with the technical skills to design fund and implement bankable adaptation projects. The training organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment Climate and Wildlife, Climate Change Management Department, Harare Institute of Technology and ActionAid Zimbabwe brought proven methodologies from across Africa to strengthen national capacity among youth.
The training focused on three core practical skill areas:
- Proposal Writing: Shifting from good ideas to SMART (Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant Time bound) proposals. Mr. Chemhere guided participants through understanding funding landscapes and aligning proposals with sponsor requirements.
- Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) for Impact: Teaching participants how to define Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Means of Verification (MoV) to guarantee accountability and ensure projects gain the trust of sponsors and beneficiaries. Ms. Fadzai Ncube (UNDP) led this crucial session.
- Project Management: Equipping youth with the lifecycle management skills necessary to deliver adaptation projects successfully.
POLICY INTEGRATION AND INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT: THE MINISTRY'S CRUCIAL ROLE
The participation of the Ministry of Environment Climate and Wildlife Climate Change Management Department was a core highlight, ensuring the training was nationally grounded and policy relevant.
- Connecting to National Plans: The Ministry’s session revealed pathways for youth to access national climate finance mechanisms.
- Aligning Youth Projects: It guided participants in developing bankable adaptation projects that align with Zimbabwe’s National Adaptation Plan.
- Linking Global to Local: Dr. Phiri from Harare Institute of Technology complemented this by connecting the Sustainable Development Goals to community level action, providing a framework for local initiatives.
- This strong institutional connection provided youth leaders with the knowledge necessary to integrate their grassroots initiatives into the broader governmental climate action strategy.
💡 Building Technical Capacity for Real Impact
The program covered critical competencies essential for effective climate action developing bankable Solutions:
- Innovation in Practice: FREM Trust showcased high efficiency low water climate smart agriculture solutions including hydroponics aquaponics and organic farming perfectly suited to Zimbabwe’s climate challenges.
The success of this training illuminates both the opportunity and the significant unmet demand for this type of programming .The question is no longer whether young people care about climate change their passion is evident. The question is whether we will equip them with the tools to transform that passion into impact.
This initiative demonstrates that when we invest in young people with comprehensive skills and supportive networks they don’t just dream of a climate resilient future they build it.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
Action 24 extends deep gratitude to the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) and Masinde Muliro Univesity of Science and Technology (MMUST) for the opportunity to replicate this transformative program and for providing the comprehensive GCA Toolkit that served as an excellent foundation.
For more information about the Youth Adaptation Network visit https://gca.org/programs/youth/
