Deadline: 03-Jul-2026
The Green Rising Zimbabwe initiative is a youth-focused climate action and green skills development programme implemented under UNICEF’s global Green Rising movement. It is designed to address Zimbabwe’s interconnected challenges of climate vulnerability, environmental degradation, and youth unemployment.
The initiative positions adolescents and young people as active leaders in environmental protection, innovation, and sustainable economic development. It combines climate action with skills training, entrepreneurship support, and employment pathways in green sectors.
Purpose and Strategic Goals
The main purpose of the programme is to empower young people to participate in climate action while building sustainable livelihoods and green employment opportunities.
Key goals include:
- Empowering youth to lead climate action initiatives
- Developing green skills linked to employment and entrepreneurship
- Supporting youth-led innovation in environmental solutions
- Promoting sustainable livelihoods through green enterprises
- Strengthening circular economy systems and waste management
- Enhancing climate resilience in vulnerable communities
- Connecting youth with technical and vocational education pathways
- Creating pathways to green jobs, internships, and self-employment
The programme integrates environmental sustainability with economic empowerment for long-term impact.
Key Focus Areas
The initiative covers a wide range of environmental, economic, and youth development priorities.
Core focus areas include:
- Youth leadership in climate action and environmental protection
- Natural resource management and conservation
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation activities
- Circular economy development and waste-to-wealth systems
- Recycling, reuse, and upcycling initiatives
- Green skills development and entrepreneurship training
- Micro-enterprise creation and income generation
- Climate-smart agriculture and sustainable farming practices
- Renewable energy solutions and clean technology
- Environmental services and green innovation
- Employment facilitation and job readiness programmes
- Climate volunteerism and community engagement
Programme Approach and Implementation Model
The programme uses a youth-led, community-based implementation model that combines practical action with skills development.
Key implementation approaches include:
- Youth-led climate action projects in communities
- School-based and community-based environmental initiatives
- Waste separation, recycling hubs, and upcycling projects
- Tree nurseries, orchards, and reforestation activities
- Land reclamation and ecosystem restoration
- Creation of green public spaces and urban greening projects
- Climate volunteerism platforms for adolescents and youth
The programme encourages active participation from diverse groups, including rural youth, peri-urban communities, schools, and refugee populations.
Green Skills and Enterprise Development
A central component of the initiative is building market-relevant green skills that lead to economic opportunities.
Key elements include:
- Training in waste management and recycling systems
- Skills development in circular economy value chains
- Climate-smart agriculture techniques
- Renewable energy and environmental services training
- Entrepreneurship support for green micro-enterprises
- Business incubation for youth-led innovations
- Support for income-generating environmental solutions
The programme links skills development directly to job creation and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Innovation and Employment Pathways
The initiative supports youth innovation and strengthens pathways into employment and self-employment.
Key opportunities include:
- Development of youth-led green innovations
- Business incubation and technical support
- Integration with TVET systems and training institutions
- Internships and apprenticeships in green sectors
- Support for job readiness and employability skills
- Facilitation of enterprise scaling and market access
This approach ensures that climate action also contributes to long-term economic empowerment.
Expected Results and Outcomes
The programme aims to deliver measurable environmental, social, and economic outcomes.
Expected results include:
- Increased youth participation in climate action initiatives
- Expansion of tree planting and environmental restoration activities
- Improved waste management and recycling systems
- Establishment of youth-led recycling hubs and enterprises
- Greater youth engagement in climate volunteerism
- Strengthened green skills among adolescents and young people
- Increased youth employment in green sectors
- Growth of sustainable micro-enterprises
- Improved community environmental awareness and action
Funding Details
- Total indicative budget: USD 115,000
- Funding supports programme implementation and youth activities
- Focus on practical, community-based climate and enterprise initiatives
Why the Programme Matters
The Green Rising Zimbabwe initiative is important because it directly links environmental sustainability with youth employment and economic development. It addresses climate change while also tackling youth unemployment by creating practical pathways into green jobs and entrepreneurship.
By engaging young people in hands-on climate action, the programme builds both environmental resilience and economic opportunity. It also strengthens community-level sustainability systems such as recycling, waste management, and reforestation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Projects may be weakened by:
- Lack of clear youth leadership in implementation
- Activities not linked to green skills or livelihoods
- Absence of measurable environmental outcomes
- Weak connection to circular economy or climate action
- No pathway to employment or entrepreneurship
- Poor community engagement or stakeholder involvement
- Overly theoretical or non-practical project design
Tips for a Strong Proposal
Strong applications clearly combine climate action with youth empowerment.
Best practices include:
- Ensure youth are actively leading project activities
- Focus on practical, hands-on environmental solutions
- Link activities to income generation or job pathways
- Include recycling, waste management, or green innovation components
- Demonstrate clear community impact and participation
- Align with circular economy and sustainability principles
- Show integration with training or vocational systems
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Green Rising Zimbabwe initiative?
- A UNICEF-supported youth climate action programme
- Focuses on green skills, innovation, and employment
- Supports youth-led environmental and economic solutions
Who is the programme for?
- Adolescents and young people in Zimbabwe
- Priority for disadvantaged and vulnerable youth
- Includes schools, rural, peri-urban, and refugee communities
What activities are supported?
- Recycling and waste management projects
- Tree planting and environmental restoration
- Climate-smart agriculture and renewable energy initiatives
- Green enterprise development and innovation
What are green skills in this programme?
- Practical skills linked to environmental sustainability
- Includes recycling, renewable energy, and agriculture
- Focus on employability and entrepreneurship
How does the programme support jobs?
- Through micro-enterprise development
- Internships, apprenticeships, and job readiness support
- Business incubation for youth-led innovations
What is the funding amount?
- Approximately USD 115,000 total budget
Why is youth involvement important?
- Youth are key drivers of climate action
- They contribute innovation and long-term sustainability
- They benefit from green job and enterprise opportunities
Conclusion
The Green Rising Zimbabwe initiative is a youth-driven climate and economic empowerment programme that connects environmental action with green skills and livelihood development. By supporting youth-led innovation, circular economy solutions, and green enterprises, it strengthens both climate resilience and economic opportunity for young people across Zimbabwe.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
