G. ORGANIZATION ? ELIGIBILITY
Proposing organization?s experience and eligibility to successfully implement the proposed project:

a) Type of organization
VOH is a locally community based private voluntary organization. It was formed in 2016 by Chimanimani based communities. The organization started to engage with communities without formal registration documents since 2016 to 2021, where it was legally registered as a private voluntary organization with a PVO number 60/21. The organization is well respected for its participatory and inclusive approaches to community development. The organization has been working with communities on land restoration activities, which includes construction of swales, contours, gabions, afforestation and reforestation. The organization is mainly centered in the central part of Chimanimani district in ward 16b, 17, 18, and 19.VOH is a youth driven organization. The organization has been working very closely with the youth, in trying to fight climate change. It has engaged youth to learn and understand climate change issues through the production of a documentary which narrates climate stress in Chimanimani, effects observed and possible solutions that can be adopted by the Chimanimani community in trying to fight climate change. The documentary can be accessed on YouTube titled "CLIMATE CHANGE THE MAZE''. The organization has also supported programs contacted by other various small organizations in Chimanimani which includes PORET, TSURO TRUST, as well as other small organizations coming in Chimanimani district like Future of Hope foundation". Valley of Hope has been also participating on publicizing environmental protection articles in ''Business wave Africa'' news article, with the aim of spreading the story of climate change impacts, so that communities will be aware and start protecting the environment through suggested ways which includes

Afforestation campaigns, use of agroforestry to protect crops from winds, practicing of intercropping farming to reduce risks of droughts as well as managing soil moisture. In 2020, with the aim of rehabilitating the community landscape from cyclone Idai results, the organization has successfully reclaimed multiple gullies in Chinyai and Saurombe village.

On staffing, the organization has a total of 18 staff members including the graduate trainees, and volunteers. The project team shall compose of the following areas expertise, agriculture and rural development, environmental management, finance and administration.


b) Length of existence and project management experience if any: 7 years

c) Proposing organization/group: include a mission/vision statement as appropriate. (Max 500 words)
VOH advocates for a sustainably managed ecosystem that supports livelihoods and a safe natural habitat for all forms of life. We are devoted to the conservation of nature and improving the livelihoods of people living in landscapes endowed with natural resources. The organization is contacting capacity buildings with communities, educating, training and demonstrating to the communities the alternative smart ways that should be adopted so as to reduce climate stress within the communities. With regards to changes in rainfall patterns, and intensity, due to excessive runoff, the organization is assisting communities with food, during communal works on land rehabilitation which includes closing of gullies along major communal link roads, and crop fields. The organization is currently supporting regeneration of veld, through a planned community grazing system, hence there is an improvement in terms of veld regeneration, land management, and erosion control systems. The transmission of cattle diseases I ward 17 has been reduced due to communal planed grazing system initiated by VOH. The organization is currently participating on afforestation activities, and necessary production. The organization is currently supporting farmers with food and materials during production of nursery plants, which is then further redistributed to the communities based on land and area adaptability to the said species produced. Nurseries produced include water loving species/ (trees) like Mukute, Muonde, Papaya etc.
Valley of Hope?s strategic objectives are centered on driving youth to conserve nature and promoting social livelihood benefits from Nature. VOH primarily addresses matters of species extinction, habitat destruction and fragmentation, resource depletion, and poor waste management. To achieve its mandate, VOH works closely with youth and communities on the ground, together with government line ministries such as Environmental Management Authority, ministry of Agriculture, ministry of women affairs and Chimanimani rural district council to build communal capacity and empower them to be the main drivers of their environment management goals.
Our shared vision: To be a leading community based organization that champions localization of development and long term community sovereignty and resilience, rooted in sustainably managed ecosystem.
Mission: We are the advocates for sustainable environment stewardship, mobilizing resources to strengthen local capacities in building context specific community resilience for the benefit of all creation living in the past, present and in the future.
d) (i) Briefly describe organizational structure, governance and administrative framework, including staff numbers, roles, etc (put organogram). Provide an indication of the legal status with any supporting registration/legal documentation as annex. If none, provide an elaboration of its nature of existence. Provide recent audited financial statements if any. (Max 400 words)

The organization has been founded by seven board members that include the following:

NAME POSITION GENDER I.D NUMBER
Simbarashe Tatsvarei Chairman M 59-018883J11
Mllicent mwatsikenyere Vice Chairman F 44107628Y44
Johnston Ngezimana Secretary M 44-113556R44
Vongai Matumbura Treasure F 44-126491B44
obiema mupaya Committee member F 63-2232140X48
Hilder Tendeukai Vice secretary F 44119497z27

Blessing Mufuri Committee member F 44114594V13V

The board is the overall/top hierarchy of the organization. The organization has a director who reports to the organization's board. In terms of programs and operations, the organization has a senior management team (SMT), which consist of, the director, finance, administration and programs manager. Under programs, the organization has community based officers who interact closely with the communities, collecting information, giving feedback to the communities and observing the basic special needs that might need a special attention with regards to communal social dynamics. The organization has been officially registered in June 2021, with the registration PVO number 60/21, and the registration legal certificate and constitution has been attached.

ii) How many direct and indirect beneficiaries (gender segregated) are in the project?

Number of Direct beneficiaries Number of indirect beneficiaries
Number of Men Number of Women Number of Men Number of Women
100 170 700 980

iii) How many members are in the project committee (gender segregated).List the names of project committee members and IDs.

The committee has not been set, it will be formulated when the project starts.

iv) What is your Current Annual budget: USD 125 000.00

v) Does the organization have a Constitution Certificate of Registration, please attach copies.
YES IT DOES, PLEASE FIND THE ATTACHMENTS

vi) Has the organization received a previous grant from other sources?
Name of Project Name of Funder Amount of Grant (US$) Year
Landscape approaches and management in Chimanimani District (ward 7, 18, and 19) Tudor trust 120,000.00 01/04/2022
Strategies to sustain Chimanimani Small-holder farming communities under conditions of climate change and socio-economic uncertainty PWRDF 33,000.00 01/02/2023


e) Describe previous experience relevant to the proposed project, including activities related to global environmental issues; or experience with projects that focus on sustainable development at community level. (Max 600 words)
VOH is a private voluntary organization based in Chimanimani district of Zimbabwe. VOH was founded in 2016, and it works with communities and government stakeholders for 7 years. It was then legally registered as a PVO in 2021 with a PVO number 61/21. Since 2016, the organization has been closely working with TSURO Trust. VOH was mainly supported by TSURO trust since it was founded in terms of program activities. The organization started to be standing alone in 2021 when it was officially registered with legal registration documents. The organization has a vast experience in working with communities, on environmental management, livelihoods support activities and resource governance issues within the communities. The organization has been supporting communities with bee hives, and training farmers on effective approaches which bring maximum yield from bee farming, and improving their households' livelihoods. Valley of Hope has been facilitating the rehabilitation of land, which was affected by frequent cyclones that occurred in Chimanimani district. It introduced a communal planned grazing system in ward 18, and 19 with the aim of reducing the formation of gullies caused by livestock due to unplanned grazing and movements.

Due to increased population, which leads to increased demand for land, and energy sources (firewood), there is high rate of land clearance/ which is leading to excessive cutting down of trees for farming, and for firewood. As a way of coping/reducing high deforestation VOH intensifies the use of tsotso stove in communities, which requires less firewood, and it encourages farmers to replant trees. The organization is also supporting inclusion of marginalized groups in decision making processes within the villages through livelihood support projects which include fish farming, poultry production and horticulture. The organization encourages communities to protect nature, and help communities to derive the possible ways that can uplift the community?s livelihoods from nature.

The organization has reclaimed several gullies, which were hazards to livestock and school children.
The organization has also facilitated formation of natural resources management committees which are responsible for protecting natural species, water and protecting land from activities which might cause degradation. The formed committees will be working very closely with village authority to strengthen natural resources by-laws so as to protect the natural environment.
Due to continuous economic deterioration, VOH has established a system of seed saving systems to communities, where communities are encouraged to save indigenous seeds, so as to reduce the risk of input shortages during planting seasons. The organization is also supporting communities to grow small grains, which are drought tolerant so as to stabilize food availability within the landscapes of operation.
Over the years, VOH has managed to establish itself as a reliable implementing partner with efficient and transparent management practices, a sound value base and organizational culture and innovative cutting-edge thematic programme design.


f) Please indicate the organization?s prior engagement with GEF SGP (e.g. grantee, partner, etc), i.e has the organization received a previous grant from the GEF Small Grants Programme? (Yes) (No). If yes, complete the table below. If NO, insert N/A in the table.

Project Number Project Title & Location Total Grant received Summary of achievements from previous SGP grant Gaps to be addressed by grant being applied for

PART 2: PROJECT PROPOSAL

SECTION A: PROJECT FRAMEWORK

1. Project Summary
Please provide a brief summary of the project in one paragraph, including rationale and context, project objective and key expected results, including the target site and community (ies) involved. (Max 600 words)
Project Area
The project will be implemented in Chanhuwa village of ward 17 in Chimanimani district. The area is located in the central part of Chimanimani district. The area is under natural farming region IIb, with an average rainfall of 800mm-950mm per year. The target village has a total population of 800 people, with 150 households. In the target landscape, the communities normally practice farming as their main source of livelihoods, however currently the area is under threat due to continuous severe land degradation, which leads to formation of gullies which are currently threatening loss of life for children, livestock and affecting road networks connectivity within the village

The community was seriously affected by Cyclone Idai of 2019, which caused the washing away of crop fields, destruction of link roads (minor roads) in communities hence making the importation of inputs to the village very difficult and transportation of farm produce to the markets is currently difficult. To address this, the project seeks to rehabilitate the community degraded areas and improve the livelihoods of the communities through an inclusive and participatory approach between the organization, communities and government stakeholders.
VOH will implement the project with the aim of restoring the land, from the devastated state caused by cyclone Idai, and other human poor livestock and farming management. The project will be implemented in Chanhuwa village, of ward 17 of Chimanimani district. The main objective of the project will be to support the rehabilitation of Chanhuwa link roads, gullies and crop fields which were severely affected by Cyclone Idai in 2019 and to promote inclusive economic growth and livelihoods with a focus on empowering women and marginalized households in Chanhuwa village. The rehabilitation of Chanhuwa link roads (minor roads) will enable farmers to easily transport their inputs to their fields, and products to the markets. Reclamation of gullies will reduce hazards to communal livestock such as cattle, goats and also young children will be saved from reclaimed gullies.

With regards to small/loose gabions that will be constructed in micro streams of Chanhuwa village, there will be reduced level of siltation in micro streams of Chanhuwa. The village will be having clean seasonal water. Loose gabions will also play a pivotal role as a means of harvesting water since water will no longer barely run away but it will be pushed underground. The water pushed underground will help to improve the level of agricultural water, hence the rate of species regeneration will be improved. The farmers in Chanhuwa village will be encouraged to open swales and contours within their farming cropping fields. This will help to reduce floods, washing away of nutrients, and damaging crops due to floods. The use of swales and contours will help to improve yields hence food security in Chanhuwa village will be attained.


2. Project Justification and Baseline
Please describe the following:

The challenges/problems that the project intends to address in relation to global environmental and development issues.

Chanhuwa village communities are currently under threat due to erratic problems that they are facing in the village. Highlighted below are the problems that the communities are facing.
? Terrestrial (land and soil) plants and animals decline, and run into extinction due to the destruction of their habitat by the degradation of the landscape caused by humans, poor land management practices, changes in microclimate, inadequate food, feed, and fodder, alteration of the rivers capes and other habitats due to climate change-induced extreme weather events like cyclones, storms, and floods.
? Food insecurity caused by little or no rainfall, erratic and ineffective rainfall which is poorly distributed across the farming season, inadequate water for irrigation due to depleted underground water. Food will not be accessible and available, thus, the most vulnerable members (children under the age of five years, pregnant and lactating women, child-headed households, the elderly, and People Living with Disability -PLWD) of the Chanhuwa Community shall not access food during times of hunger crises.
? Sources of energy required for the preparation of food will be depleted due to excessive deforestation of trees and shrubs during land clearing for crop cultivation, excessive trading in indigenous tree poles, and firewood for livelihood purposes.
? Aquatic (water) plants and animals (fish, algae, ferns, add more) will continue to disappear in and around local streams, and other natural water sources and these will be extinct due to washing of chemical fertilizers, bactericides, fungicides, acaricides, pesticides (eutrophication) and the washing away of topsoil into the waterways, water channels, water reservoirs and water sources (siltation) and alteration of the river capes by flooding.
? Loss of timber and non-timber forest products due to the loss of forests and biodiversity leading to an eventual loss in incomes, health, and nutrition derived from nature.
? Depletion of surface and underground water due to droughts, siltation, excessive runoff, and inadequate underground water recharging eventually leading to more deep boreholes, dry holes, extinction of perennial river and water flows, crop failure in irrigation schemes and small-scale water projects.
? Loss of the eco-tourism capacity of the landscape due to degradation of the land, changes in river ecosystems, removal of diverse native tree and animal species, and formation of gullies, eventually affecting the tourism potential of the landscape.

Problem Analysis:
State the
Problem/Issue or Challenge Chanhuwa community is seriously affected by severe land degradation, poor yields and poor road networks.
The marginalized groups (women, children, People Living With Disability (PLWD), are not actively participating or included in economic development activities.
What are the causes of the problem/issue or challenge? Direct Causes Indirect Causes
- excessive runoff leading to development of gullies
- Deforestation contributing to land degradation
- poor farming practices leading to poor yields
- Poor economic empowerment
1. Poor livestock management systems.2. Constrained energy sources
3. Knowledge gap on smart farming system
4. Myths and misconceptions on roles and responsibilities of marginalized groups like women, PLWD, youths, the elderly, youths
(Increase the size of the table if you need more space)

? How the project relates and will be contributing to the SGP Country Programme Strategy
? How the project relates to other relevant programmes supported by the government, GEF and other donors, and the private sector. (Max 400 words)

The project is in line with the SGP global strategy of ?effectively supporting the creation of global environmental benefits and the safeguarding of the global environment through community and local solutions that complement and add value to national and global level action.? Government policies and private sector priorities related to landscape use and management.
? Chimanimani Rural District Council climate change and watershed management policy, hence the project will support the district policy
? Traditional Act. Giving powers to traditional leaders to enforce village-based environmental, social, and economic by-laws
? Veld fire management. Seek approval from the village head and veld fire committee for controlled burning.
? The project uses environmentally friendly methods such as the use of swells and contours in agroecology which do not pose risk to the environment
? The project is innovative in that its seeks to improve land status through the use of loose gabions, swells
? The project is community driven, the communities identified their problem and they approached VOH for support in putting up a fundraising for this project. The community project committee will do the community management of the project hence, the project has more sustainability.
? The project employs a multi-sectoral approach in which stakeholders, community members, their leadership and various institutions in the community have been involved through a village based planning session at community level and consultation of the district documents like the contingency, cyclone Idai recovery and DRR plans

3. Project Goal, Objectives, Activities, Outputs and Outcomes
Please describe the project framework and implementation plan by completing the table 1 below:
a) Overall Goal/Primary Objective: Proposed project should include environmental objective, along with development/livelihood objective as relevant.
b) Specific objectives: List all objectives to be addressed by project
c) Activities: List all activities to be implemented per objective
d) Project Outputs: Please describe measurable changes which will have occurred by the end of the project as a result of the planned intervention (e.g. XX hectares of community management conservation area established. XX community members is trained and improved on waste management).
e) Project Outcome: Please describe what will be produced as project results, in terms of changes in the institutional and behavioral capacities, changes in knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, policies, livelihoods and environmental conditions.

OBJECTIVES/ACTIVITIES
INDICATORS FOR PLANNED ACTIONS OUTPUTS OUTCOMES
The overall goal of the project is to create a more resilient landscape and community in the region, with improved capacity to cope with and adapt to the impacts of climate change and other stressors. (i) To support land rehabilitation of Chanhuwa landscape, which was severely affected by Cyclone Idai in 2019
Activity 1.1 Loose gabions construction

Activity 1.2 Mesh wire gabions construction within the link (minor) roads.
Activity 1.3 Reforestation of water loving plants ( Muwonde, Mukute)

Activity 1.4 Construction of swales and contours in crop fields to reduce erosion.

Baseline: Excessive runoff , 12 silted streams and slow species regeneration

Target: 12 streams in Chanhuwa village will be having loose gabions to reduce runoff and siltation.

Baseline: 4 minor roads are threatened by 5 gullies

Target: 3 gullies threatening minor roads will be reclaimed

Baseline: 12 hectares under deforestation.

Target : 5 hectares will be reforestated with indigenous trees.

Baseline : 50 Ha of crop fields are washed away by excessive runoff.

Target: 30 Ha will be covered with swales and contours. 12 streams in Chanhuwa village will be having loose gabions

3 reclaimed gullies.
reforestation of 5 Ha with indigenous trees
Swales and contours covering 30Ha ? Reduced siltation, improved clean water, and improved species regeneration.
? Improved road networks
? Improved biodiversity
? Improved yields

(ii) to promote inclusive economic growth and livelihoods with a focus on empowering women and marginalized groups

Activity 2.1: 20 households trained and supported with fish farming materials

Activity 2.2: supporting 15 households with a micro nutrition garden

Activity 2.2: 15 households will be supported with micro nutrition garden, which will be 30m away from the river, each household will be having an average land size of 0.06ha

Baseline: Women are currently not economically empowered
Target: 20 vulnerable households will be trained and supported with fish farming materials.
Baseline: people they are currently cultivating in river banks
Target: 15 households to be growing there vegetables in a fenced garden 30 metres away from the river
Baseline: communities currently practicing streambank cultivation
Target: 15 households will be supported with micro garden
20 vulnerable households practicing fish farming

15 households will be farming away from river banks

15 households will be having a micro nutritional garden Improved economic inclusion of marginalized households in Chanhuwa village

Improved livelihoods, and reduced siltation in Makari river

Household nutrition will be improved, and there will be no siltation along Makari river
(Please add or subtract rows as app)

f) Project Implementation Plan and Time Frame: Please include timing of the activities, required reports, project reviews and monitoring activities.
Table 2: Project framework and Implementation Plan.
Primary Objective (goal): to create a more resilient landscape and community in the region, with improved capacity to cope with and adapt to the impacts of climate change and other stressors. Timing/Duration of Activity in Months

First month being August 2023
Project Framework Responsible
Party Indicator, including means of verification 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Activity 1.0 a) 1 day district inception meeting with government stakeholders, chiefs and 1 village head (15 government stakeholders, 1 chief, and 1 councillor; a total of 17 stakeholder will attend the meeting) VOH , All district government stakeholders and other district civil societies. 1 district inception meeting
Activity 1.0b) one day community/ village inception meeting with all Chanhuwa community members VOH, AGRITEX, EMA,CRDC, Women Affairs 1 community inception meeting
Activity 1.0c) A 2 day training of 20 farmers on fish farming, methodologies, maintenance, record keeping, and feed management VOH, communities, Ministry of Women affairs community small and medium enterprise, Agritex 1 community training workshop for 2 days
Activity 1.0d .4 conducting a one day demonstrating workshop, on swales and contours construction, as well as loose and mesh gabions construction. 270 people to attend the practical workshop VOH , communities and mechanization department from AGRITEX
Objective 1: To support land rehabilitation of Chanhuwa landscape, which was severely affected by Cyclone Idai in 2019
Activity 1.1 gully reclamation in Chanhuwa community VOH community
Activity 1.2 Mesh wire gabions construction within the link (minor) roads.





-Chanhuwa community
- Government department
RIDA, Mechanization department
-Valley of Hope (VoH) 3 gullies threatening minor roads reclaimed

Activity 1.3 Reforestation of water loving plants ( Muwonde, Mukute) -Chanhuwa community
- Government department Environment Management Agency (EMA)
-Valley of Hope (VoH) 5 hectares planted with indigenous trees like Mukute & Muwonde
Activity 1.4 Construction of swales and contours in crop fields to reduce erosion. -Chanhuwa community
- AGRITEX
-Valley of Hope (VoH)
Activity 1.5
- Loose gabions construction
-Chanhuwa community
-Government dpt. Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), Mechanisation department
-Valley of Hope (VoH) 12 streams with loose gabions
Objective 2: To promote inclusive economic growth and livelihoods with a focus on empowering women and marginalized groups
Activity 2.1:
20 households trained and supported with fish farming
materials
A -Chanhuwa community
- AGRITEX
-Valley of Hope (VoH) Number of catch dams rehabilitated and or constructed
Project baseline study VOH, AGRITEX