Supporting Community Action in Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) for improved Biodiversity in Mfiri and Kohli Villages, Tongogara, Zimbabwe.
The proposed project ?Supporting Community Action in Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Improved Biological Diversity in Mfiri and Kohli Villages, Tongogara, Zimbabwe? is phase II of the previous UNDP GEF SGP OP7 project. The project is will address gaps in the previous project in Mfiri Village and scale-out to another village in the District. The villages have a total of 60 households, and they all smallholders who depend on subsistence farming. The project will have a total of 150 beneficiaries consisting of 120 adult men and women household heads and 30 youth (10 males and 20 females).
Biodiversity loss has remained a challenge in Mfiri and Kohli villages, with disproportionate impacts on women, girls, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). According to the evaluation report (2019) by UNDP GEF SGP on Mfiri project, there is need to consolidate the phase 1 achievements and experiences through addressing gaps in ?Supporting Community Action in Addressing Land-degradation and Income Generation in Mfiri Village?. Furthermore, according to a survey, environmental quality of Kohli community has deteriorated demonstrating irresponsible use of natural resources by humans through veldt fires, deforestation, overgrazing, water pollution, and limited livelihood options.
To consolidate the achievements and experiences of the first phase and scale out the previous demonstration project, Women in Communities Zimbabwe will design a project informed by lessons learned and recommendations made by the UNDP GEF SGP Evaluators.
The target community remains the Mfiri and Kohli villages (Tongogara). The goals and objectives for this Phase 2 (2024-2025) mainly focus on further gully reclamation, increased participation in livelihood options, increased food and nutrition security, participation in value-addition projects for Mfiri, and establishment of a bio-intensive community garden in Kohli village. All activities being fronted and backed by demand-driven training. The training process will start by identifying training needs, followed by needs analysis, designing and developing of tailor-made training materials and manuals. The training methodology shall combine skills upgrading with seminar based workshops, with the one-on-one as a Monitoring and onsite training activity.
2. Project Justification and Baseline
Problem Analysis:
State the
Problem/Issue or Challenge Biodiversity loss has remained a challenge in Mfiri and Kohli villages of Tongogara Rural District, with disproportionate impacts on women, girls, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). This challenge is mainly caused by direct pressures on the environment, weak environmental management capacities, and limited livelihood options away from rain-fed subsistence agriculture. This situation has led to a vicious cycle of rural poverty with further direct pressures on the environment and biodiversity loss, as the villagers heavily rely on the environment and climate sensitive subsistence agriculture for livelihoods. Thus, there is need to consolidate the achievements of the Mfiri project and out-scaling of the project to Kohli village.
What are the causes of the problem/issue or challenge? Direct Causes Indirect Causes
1. Direct pressures on the environment.
2. Poor Sustainable Land Management.
3. Poor Sustainable Forest Management.
4. Poor Sustainable Water Management. 1. Poverty.
2. Limited livelihood options.
(Increase the size of the table if you need more space)
(Max 400 words)
Project Relation with and Contribution to SGP Country Programme Strategy
The main problem to be addressed is biodiversity loss which is in line with GEF SGP OP7 Zimbabwe country strategy. The community?s settlement, infrastructure, pastures and farms are under threat from encroaching gullies, deforestation and soil erosion which has resulted in approximately 70% bareness in terms of land cover. Veldt fires and deforestation as a result of fencing of gardens and firewood collection has contributed significantly to the bareness of the area. Siltation of water bodies including the life supporting Mfiri dam has resulted in the community?s failure to cope with drought induced by climate variability. The community falls under Natural Region IV which is characterized by low erratic rainfall patterns ranging from 450 ? 600mm per year and these are subject to frequent seasonal droughts. The community?s vegetation is mainly dry deciduous miombo woodlands dominated by brachystegiaspiciformis and julberndiaglobiflora. The grass species dominant in the project area include hyparrhenia species, eragrostis species and heteropogon species. The tree and grass species are characteristics of arid and semi-arid climatic conditions and they need proper conservation practices to maintain their biomass.
Figure 2: Typical vegetation of the area and the impacts of climate change and land degradation.
The project will reclaim 1 remaining gully and conserve a total of 5 remaining hectares catchment area affected by major gullies. Development of tree nurseries with 15,000 plants and reviving of community woodlots will reduce deforestation in the community. A total of 7 different indigenous species including mukamba, mutohwe, mupfura, munyii, musasa, muzhumwi and muchakata will be conserved in woodlots for fuel provision and maintaining forestry ecosystems. Rehabilitation of sand trap will be done to reduce siltation of Mfiri dam and improve water harvesting and storage for use to support livestock and garden activities in this dry region.
Women?s enterprises and livelihoods in Mfiri village are highly depended on the market gardening and extraction of natural resources. There is need for women to further improve livelihoods and develop economic opportunities and enable them to move out of poverty.
The project will promote sustainable harvesting and value addition of natural products and increase utilization and market opportunities. The project will conduct a participatory inventory of natural products, value addition training, solar dryers, market fairs, entrepreneurship training and completion of 1 more roadside market stalls to increase community participation in sustainable utilization / conservation of forestry products.
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:
To promote biodiversity through supporting Community Action in Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Mfiri and Kohli Villages, Tongogara, Zimbabwe.
b) Specific objectives:
1. To enhance reduction of siltation of Mfiri Dam by protecting the catchment area through rehabilitation of existing gabion cage silt trap and establishment of a nursery for reforestation of six hectares of the dam?s catchment and planting of vetiver grass.
2. To establish a 1 hectare Bio-intensive Community garden for 60 women and in Kohli Village.
3. To promote sustainable harvesting, marketing and value addition of garden and natural produce through training and completion of market stall in Mfiri Village.
Figure 3: (left and right) Market Stall for Mfiri Consolidated Garden.
Table 1 - Results Framework: (This is the most important part of the project proposal. Please take your time and use the guidelines provided)
GOAL
OBJECTIVES ACTIVITIES
INDICATORS FOR PLANNED ACTIONS OUTPUTS OUTCOMES
To promote biodiversity through supporting Community Action in Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Mfiri and Kohli Villages, Tongogara, Zimbabwe. (i) To enhance reduction of siltation of Mfiri Dam by protecting the catchment area through rehabilitation of existing gabion cage silt trap and establishment of a nursery for reforestation of six hectares of the dam?s catchment and planting of vetiver grass.
1.1. Development of Local Sustainable Water Management Action Plan.
1.2. Gabion Silt trap rehabilitation.
1.3. Training women and men in Agroforestry.
1.4. Training women and men in Sustainable Water Management.
Baseline:
? Zero men and women participating in Agroforestry
? Zero men and women trained in agroforestry.
? 1 gabion silt trap in need of rehabilitation.
? Zero men and women participating in Sustainable Water Management.
? Zero community Sustainable Water Management action plans developed at community level.
? 1 gabion silt trap in need of rehabilitation.
Target:
? 150 community members (100 females, 50 males) participating in agroforestry.
? 150 villagers to be trained in agroforestry.
? 4 soil and water conservation techniques adopted.
? 150 men and women participating in Sustainable Water Management.
? 2 community Sustainable Water Management actions plans developed at community level.
? 1 gabion silt trap rehabilitated. Output 1.1:
Nursery for agroforestry trees established with 5000 seedlings. The seedlings will be planted within the garden perimeter which is protected from livestock. The trees will be planted away from grazing areas.
Output 1.2:
Gabion silt trap fully rehabilitated
Outcome 1: Enhanced reduction of siltation of Mfiri Dam by protecting the catchment area through rehabilitation of existing gabion cage silt trap and establishment of a nursery for reforestation of six hectares of the dam?s catchment and planting of vetiver grass.
(ii) To establish a 1 hectare Bio-intensive Community garden for 60 women and in Kohli Village.
2.1. Establishment of Community Bio-intensive garden.
2.2. Training in Water System Maintenance.
Baseline:
? Zero women, girls, and PWDs participating in Community Bio-intensive gardening.
? No community bio-intensive garden established.
Target:
? 60 women (including 5 women with age-disability) trained in Bio-intensive Gardening.
? 1 hectare Community Bio-intensive Garden to be established with solar-powered drip irrigation system. Output 2.1: Kohli Community Bio-intensive garden established. Outcome 2: Improved livelihoods through a 1 hectare Bio-intensive Community garden for 60 women and in Kohli Village.
(iii) To promote sustainable harvesting, marketing and value addition of garden and natural produce through training and completion of market stall in Mfiri Village.
3.1. Completion of Mfiri Consolidated Garden market stall. (See figure 3 above)
3.2. Training villagers in Value Addition.
Baseline:
? Zero women, girls, and PWDs trained in Value Addition.
Target:
? 150 women, girls, and PWDs trained in Value Addition.
Output 3.1: Mfiri garden market stall completed.
Output 3.2: Villagers are trained in value addition.
Outcome 3: Increased sustainable harvesting, marketing and value addition of garden and natural produce through training and completion of market stall in Mfiri Village.
Biodiversity loss has remained a challenge in Mfiri and Kohli villages, with disproportionate impacts on women, girls, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). According to the evaluation report (2019) by UNDP GEF SGP on Mfiri project, there is need to consolidate the phase 1 achievements and experiences through addressing gaps in ?Supporting Community Action in Addressing Land-degradation and Income Generation in Mfiri Village?. Furthermore, according to a survey, environmental quality of Kohli community has deteriorated demonstrating irresponsible use of natural resources by humans through veldt fires, deforestation, overgrazing, water pollution, and limited livelihood options.
To consolidate the achievements and experiences of the first phase and scale out the previous demonstration project, Women in Communities Zimbabwe will design a project informed by lessons learned and recommendations made by the UNDP GEF SGP Evaluators.
The target community remains the Mfiri and Kohli villages (Tongogara). The goals and objectives for this Phase 2 (2024-2025) mainly focus on further gully reclamation, increased participation in livelihood options, increased food and nutrition security, participation in value-addition projects for Mfiri, and establishment of a bio-intensive community garden in Kohli village. All activities being fronted and backed by demand-driven training. The training process will start by identifying training needs, followed by needs analysis, designing and developing of tailor-made training materials and manuals. The training methodology shall combine skills upgrading with seminar based workshops, with the one-on-one as a Monitoring and onsite training activity.
2. Project Justification and Baseline
Problem Analysis:
State the
Problem/Issue or Challenge Biodiversity loss has remained a challenge in Mfiri and Kohli villages of Tongogara Rural District, with disproportionate impacts on women, girls, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). This challenge is mainly caused by direct pressures on the environment, weak environmental management capacities, and limited livelihood options away from rain-fed subsistence agriculture. This situation has led to a vicious cycle of rural poverty with further direct pressures on the environment and biodiversity loss, as the villagers heavily rely on the environment and climate sensitive subsistence agriculture for livelihoods. Thus, there is need to consolidate the achievements of the Mfiri project and out-scaling of the project to Kohli village.
What are the causes of the problem/issue or challenge? Direct Causes Indirect Causes
1. Direct pressures on the environment.
2. Poor Sustainable Land Management.
3. Poor Sustainable Forest Management.
4. Poor Sustainable Water Management. 1. Poverty.
2. Limited livelihood options.
(Increase the size of the table if you need more space)
(Max 400 words)
Project Relation with and Contribution to SGP Country Programme Strategy
The main problem to be addressed is biodiversity loss which is in line with GEF SGP OP7 Zimbabwe country strategy. The community?s settlement, infrastructure, pastures and farms are under threat from encroaching gullies, deforestation and soil erosion which has resulted in approximately 70% bareness in terms of land cover. Veldt fires and deforestation as a result of fencing of gardens and firewood collection has contributed significantly to the bareness of the area. Siltation of water bodies including the life supporting Mfiri dam has resulted in the community?s failure to cope with drought induced by climate variability. The community falls under Natural Region IV which is characterized by low erratic rainfall patterns ranging from 450 ? 600mm per year and these are subject to frequent seasonal droughts. The community?s vegetation is mainly dry deciduous miombo woodlands dominated by brachystegiaspiciformis and julberndiaglobiflora. The grass species dominant in the project area include hyparrhenia species, eragrostis species and heteropogon species. The tree and grass species are characteristics of arid and semi-arid climatic conditions and they need proper conservation practices to maintain their biomass.
Figure 2: Typical vegetation of the area and the impacts of climate change and land degradation.
The project will reclaim 1 remaining gully and conserve a total of 5 remaining hectares catchment area affected by major gullies. Development of tree nurseries with 15,000 plants and reviving of community woodlots will reduce deforestation in the community. A total of 7 different indigenous species including mukamba, mutohwe, mupfura, munyii, musasa, muzhumwi and muchakata will be conserved in woodlots for fuel provision and maintaining forestry ecosystems. Rehabilitation of sand trap will be done to reduce siltation of Mfiri dam and improve water harvesting and storage for use to support livestock and garden activities in this dry region.
Women?s enterprises and livelihoods in Mfiri village are highly depended on the market gardening and extraction of natural resources. There is need for women to further improve livelihoods and develop economic opportunities and enable them to move out of poverty.
The project will promote sustainable harvesting and value addition of natural products and increase utilization and market opportunities. The project will conduct a participatory inventory of natural products, value addition training, solar dryers, market fairs, entrepreneurship training and completion of 1 more roadside market stalls to increase community participation in sustainable utilization / conservation of forestry products.
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:
To promote biodiversity through supporting Community Action in Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Mfiri and Kohli Villages, Tongogara, Zimbabwe.
b) Specific objectives:
1. To enhance reduction of siltation of Mfiri Dam by protecting the catchment area through rehabilitation of existing gabion cage silt trap and establishment of a nursery for reforestation of six hectares of the dam?s catchment and planting of vetiver grass.
2. To establish a 1 hectare Bio-intensive Community garden for 60 women and in Kohli Village.
3. To promote sustainable harvesting, marketing and value addition of garden and natural produce through training and completion of market stall in Mfiri Village.
Figure 3: (left and right) Market Stall for Mfiri Consolidated Garden.
Table 1 - Results Framework: (This is the most important part of the project proposal. Please take your time and use the guidelines provided)
GOAL
OBJECTIVES ACTIVITIES
INDICATORS FOR PLANNED ACTIONS OUTPUTS OUTCOMES
To promote biodiversity through supporting Community Action in Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in Mfiri and Kohli Villages, Tongogara, Zimbabwe. (i) To enhance reduction of siltation of Mfiri Dam by protecting the catchment area through rehabilitation of existing gabion cage silt trap and establishment of a nursery for reforestation of six hectares of the dam?s catchment and planting of vetiver grass.
1.1. Development of Local Sustainable Water Management Action Plan.
1.2. Gabion Silt trap rehabilitation.
1.3. Training women and men in Agroforestry.
1.4. Training women and men in Sustainable Water Management.
Baseline:
? Zero men and women participating in Agroforestry
? Zero men and women trained in agroforestry.
? 1 gabion silt trap in need of rehabilitation.
? Zero men and women participating in Sustainable Water Management.
? Zero community Sustainable Water Management action plans developed at community level.
? 1 gabion silt trap in need of rehabilitation.
Target:
? 150 community members (100 females, 50 males) participating in agroforestry.
? 150 villagers to be trained in agroforestry.
? 4 soil and water conservation techniques adopted.
? 150 men and women participating in Sustainable Water Management.
? 2 community Sustainable Water Management actions plans developed at community level.
? 1 gabion silt trap rehabilitated. Output 1.1:
Nursery for agroforestry trees established with 5000 seedlings. The seedlings will be planted within the garden perimeter which is protected from livestock. The trees will be planted away from grazing areas.
Output 1.2:
Gabion silt trap fully rehabilitated
Outcome 1: Enhanced reduction of siltation of Mfiri Dam by protecting the catchment area through rehabilitation of existing gabion cage silt trap and establishment of a nursery for reforestation of six hectares of the dam?s catchment and planting of vetiver grass.
(ii) To establish a 1 hectare Bio-intensive Community garden for 60 women and in Kohli Village.
2.1. Establishment of Community Bio-intensive garden.
2.2. Training in Water System Maintenance.
Baseline:
? Zero women, girls, and PWDs participating in Community Bio-intensive gardening.
? No community bio-intensive garden established.
Target:
? 60 women (including 5 women with age-disability) trained in Bio-intensive Gardening.
? 1 hectare Community Bio-intensive Garden to be established with solar-powered drip irrigation system. Output 2.1: Kohli Community Bio-intensive garden established. Outcome 2: Improved livelihoods through a 1 hectare Bio-intensive Community garden for 60 women and in Kohli Village.
(iii) To promote sustainable harvesting, marketing and value addition of garden and natural produce through training and completion of market stall in Mfiri Village.
3.1. Completion of Mfiri Consolidated Garden market stall. (See figure 3 above)
3.2. Training villagers in Value Addition.
Baseline:
? Zero women, girls, and PWDs trained in Value Addition.
Target:
? 150 women, girls, and PWDs trained in Value Addition.
Output 3.1: Mfiri garden market stall completed.
Output 3.2: Villagers are trained in value addition.
Outcome 3: Increased sustainable harvesting, marketing and value addition of garden and natural produce through training and completion of market stall in Mfiri Village.
Project Snapshot
Grantee:
Women in Communities Zimbabwe
Country:
Zimbabwe
Area Of Work:
Biodiversity
Grant Amount:
US$ 50,000.00
Co-Financing Cash:
US$ 20,780.00
Co-Financing in-Kind:
US$ 24,500.00
Project Number:
ZIM/SGP/OP7/Y4/STAR/BD/2023/06
Status:
Currently under execution
Project Characteristics and Results
Inovative Financial Mechanisms
As a strategy for managing project knowledge, training activities will be conducted in participatory manner that promote active involvement by women and youth in decision making and implementation. Role plays, testimonials, case studies and stories of change will be captured, documented and disseminated widely within and outside the community and to different partners. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials will be designed and carry and disseminate project information and influence behavior change in terms of natural resources conservation.
Knowledge Product Quantity (where applicable)
Manuals 3
Brochures/Flyers 30
Documentary video/DVD 1
Newsletters 1
Mass Media (TV, Radio)
Photo Stories 1
Case Studies 1
A website with information from the project. 1
A Facebook Page with information from the project. 1
OTHER 1
Capacity - Building Component
Community-based Adaptation:
One potential innovation for the biodiversity project is to adopt a new approach to community-based adaptation that focuses on local solutions and collaborative decision-making. This could involve creating a participatory planning process that engages all community members, regardless of gender, age, or ability. This would allow for the sharing of knowledge and the co-creation of solutions that are tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of the community.
Digital Communication:
The project will also involve the creation of a community-owned platform that allows for the sharing of information and resources related to biodiversity. To build on this innovation, the platform could be designed to be accessible to all community members, regardless of their literacy level or access to technology. The platform could be accessible through face to face meetings. It could also feature media, such as text. The platform could be used to share information about biodiversity conservation, as well as to connect community members with local resources and services. The platform could also be used to connect community members with experts and organizations working on biodiversity conservation.
Three-Dimensional Farming Approach:
To promote sustainable harvesting, the project could also use a "three-dimensional farming" approach. Three-dimensional farming involves using all three dimensions of space - vertical, horizontal, and below ground - to grow crops. For example, climbers like beans, peas, and squash could be trained to grow up trellises or along fences, while edible root crops like potatoes, onions, and carrots could be grown in the ground. This approach can maximize the amount of food that can be grown in a limited space, while also reducing the need for tillage and pesticides.
Slow-Money Approach:
Another innovative aspect of the project could be the use of a "slow money" approach to marketing and value addition. Slow money is a movement that aims to support local economies and businesses by investing money slowly and thoughtfully, rather than through fast, speculative investments. This approach could be used to create a market stall that focuses on selling local, sustainably grown produce, and that supports small-scale farmers and producers.
Participatory Rural Appraisal Approach:
One model of delivery that could be used for the project is the "Participatory Rural Appraisal" (PRA) approach. PRA is a participatory, community-based approach to development that involves local people in identifying their own needs and problems, and designing and implementing solutions.
+ View more
SGP Country office contact
Ms. Tsitsi Wutawunashe
Phone:
263-4-338846/44
Fax:
(263) 700946
Email:
Luckson Chapungu
Email:
Address
P.O. Box 4775
Harare, AFRICAN REGION, 264-4-
Harare, AFRICAN REGION, 264-4-
Visit the Zimbabwe Country Page