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Takudzwa Chiwereweshe Manicaland Correspondent
Women and youths have been urged to be at the forefront of “green” economic development to help address economic and ecological problems that are facing the nation.

This comes as Government has partnered SNV Netherlands Development Organisation through the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) to promote environmentally friendly innovations through empowerment of women and youth.

The major goal of the initiative is to contribute towards the creation of a gender responsive enabling legal framework for climate change adaption and mitigation in Zimbabwe through the provision of a model for youth development.

Speaking during the launch of the Green Innovation Phase 2 project on Monday, SNV sector leader for renewable energy Mrs Chandi Mutubuke-Makuyana said the project was a way to stimulate and develop markets, as well as to link youth with the private sector.

“The significance of this project is that it ensures that youths come up with ideas that will facilitate the transition into green economic development, which is the direction we need to take as a nation as global issues like climate change and global warming have adverse effects on a national scale,” she said.

“The project will help to develop mechanisms that encompass climate change adaptation and mitigation.”

Mrs Mutubuke-Makuyana highlighted her organisation’s desire to involve more women in the project.

“Most community problems face women and women should be at the forefront,” she said. “It is my belief that if women are part of the solutions these solutions will talk to women.”

SNV representative Mr Honour Mutambara said the organisation had set aside a fund that would see 15 young entrepreneurs receive $5 000 to finance their green innovation projects.

“The project was designed to help innovative and young entrepreneurs to come up with environmentally friendly ideas, systems or models to address the emerging ecological and economic challenges that face Zimbabwe,” he said.

“Their ideas should demonstrate creativity, sustainability, innovation, and the ability to have an impact as well as create jobs; ideally, green jobs.”

SNV has put in place several projects like the rural solar market development project which assists youths to start solar projects. The organisation is also working with Practical Action and has implemented the Sustainable Energy for Rural Communities programme, which seeks to benefit 10 000 people in Gwanda. The project is running in Zimbabwe and Malawi.