Bio-diversity

1.1 Project Summary The project on Climate change mitigation through utilization of solar energy, organic farming technique and forestry practice, seeks to address the impact of climate change on communities livelihoods. The project is located in ward 28 of Mwurwi town; Mashonaland Central Province about 100kilometres North West of the Capital City Harare. Its climate is characteristic of agro-ecological region 2 which receives good rains averaging between 650-800mm, but is subject to frequent droughts, dry summer spells and short rainy seasons due to climate change (Agritex). Most of the rains are normally received between November and March. However some of the areas in this district have been noted as being relatively dry as compared to the rest of the region. The soils are pit sand with a few patches of red clay soils (Lister 1987). Mwurwi is a commercial and communal farming area with tobacco being the main crop grown. Action 24 is facilitating the project and it is a youth oriented organization registered as a Trustee under the Zimbabwean law in 2010. The organization is governed by a board of trustees which has reputable, experienced and dedicated men and women. The organization s annual budget for 2013 is $120 000 and is fundraised through donor funding and grants. Action 24 has a staff compliment of 5 employees including the National Coordinator, Programmes Coordinator, Climate Change Advocacy Officer, Admin/Finance Officer and Gender and DRR Officer as indicated by the organogram attached in Annex 1. The project shall be implemented by youth from the ward whose names are highlighted in Annex 1. The ward is made up of former farm workers whose families are from different backgrounds and can be classified as poor. The ward can be classified under transitional peri-urban setup that is administered by the local town council. The majority of the youth in the area generate their income and employment through cross boarder trading and operation of small buying and selling business. Overall goal of the project: Climate change mitigation through utilization of solar energy, organic farming technique and forestry practice. Project Objectives: 1) To mitigate climate change through utilization of solar energy in horticulture production. 2) To promote Climate Smart Agriculture methods of organic farming in mushroom and potatoes production. 3) To document lessons learnt and production of climate change awareness raising materials. Project Activities Conducting 1 project Inception workshop with relevant stakeholders; training of beneficiaries on maintenance of water harvesting infrastructure; drilling of one borehole; procurement and installation of solar water pump and accessories; procurement of drip irrigation equipment and installation; construction of 10000 litres capacity tank; training of youth on organic farming, seedling production and vermiculture; procurement of materials for the establishment of nursery; procurement of fencing materials for the establishment of 2 Ha woodlot plantation; distribution of seed starter packs to 6 youth groups for implementing the organic mushroom and potatoes farming; refresher training workshop on mushroom production; establishment of six mushroom production huts for six youth groups; construction of liquid manure tanks, composts and vermiculture; establishment of 4 hectare woodlot plantation; procurement of 2000 potato planting pockets; Production of articles/case studies highlighting lessons learnt from the project; production of brochures and posters on climate change adaptation and mitigation; production of videos/DVDs; conducting research on the effects of climate change on the youth; production of T-shirts with messages on climate change adaptation and mitigation; commemoration of National Tree Planting Day annually with at least 2000 trees planted; annual Commemoration of Green Valentine s Day with at least 2000 trees planted; Training in business skills development and entrepreneurship; Training in the marketing and promotion of organic products; Construction of mini marketing centre for the storage of agro-forestry products. Table 1: Summary of project Finances Funding Source Year 1 Year 2 Total Amount requested from GEFSGP 30,000.00 20,000.00 50,000.00 Proposing organization contribution (Action 24) 23,800.00 21,800.00 45,600.00 Community/Direct Beneficiaries 11,200.00 500.00 11,700.00 Other Partners (RDC, MTC, CL etc) 24,000.00 3,200.00 27,200.00 Total project cost 88,000.00 45,500.00 134, 500.00 Duration: Two Years 1.2 Organizational Background and Capacity to implement the project Background of Facilitating Organization Action 24 is a youth oriented organization registered as a Trustee under the Zimbabwean law in 2010 with registration M. The organization is governed by a board of trustees which has reputable, experienced and dedicated men and women. The organization s annual budget for 2013 is $120 000 and is fundraised through donor funding and grants. Action 24 has a staff compliment of 5 employees including the National Coordinator, Programmes Coordinator, Climate Change Advocacy Officer, Admin/Finance Officer and Gender and DRR Officer as indicated by the organogram attached. (Annex 1: Organisation Management Structure). The organization aims to develop and enhance youth led innovative solutions to fight climate change and ensure sustainable development and environmental sustainability. Action 24 recognizes climate change as the major threat t

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