Utariri: Integrated Biodiversity, Climate and Livelihoods Programme

Results Obtained in year 1 - Draft reports were developed on the baseline studies conducted and will be finalized in year 2 after feedback and validation meetings with stakeholders. - Feedback sessions were undertaken at district level and by year 1, 4 district level sessions were conducted. A draft baseline report was produced. - The program successfully conducted 21 out 26 awareness sessions. (9 Mbire, 9 Muzarabani and 3 Hurungwe). - 21 schools were covered in Muzarabani (8 primary, 3 secondary) and Mbire (5 primary, 5 secondary) and 16 in Hurungwe. - During the reporting period, two symposium/learning events on natural biodiversity management and systems by trustees and project management staff were attended i.e., the Animal Conference and the NTFP Symposium. - Physical assessments of at least 15 critical water points that require rehabilitation works were conducted with sighting for new borehole was only carried out in Muzarabani. - A total of 57 scouts were trained during the reporting period. - Procurement of scouts equipment was completed in year 1, and distribution of equipment is ongoing and shall be completed in Year 2. - Limited support was rendered to farmers per ward to produce sorghum and cow peas and support them with starter kits to enhance food and income security in Hurungwe and Muzarabani. - Training of lead farmers was conducted on value chain development of sorghum and cow peas in Muzarabani and on mushroom in Hurungwe. - Only 2 hubs out of 12 were constructed, and the other 108 mini hubs were at various stages of construction. - The programme managed to support the formation of 10 (2 mushroom, 7 sorghum and 3 cow peas) commodity association. - 2 Extra-ordinary full council meetings in Muzarabani, and Nyaminyami, and 2 all stakeholders meetings for Hurungwe, Nyaminyami districts were conducted

Strategic Objectives of the Utariri Programme are 1. Natural resource protection, restoration and management Outcome 1: Increased community stewardship and sustainable utilisation of natural resources focusing on pro-poor and gender sensitive empowerment actions. This will be achieved through increased community stewardship focussing on pro poor and gender sensitive empowerment actions. The key programme activities will include a huge drive for reforestation and support for indigenous tree woodlots for over 1000 households and 20 local schools. Activities also include expanding the use of the Community Share Ownership Trust model which brings the communities, private sector and authorities to a roundtable to share burdens and profits associated with biodiversity management and builds on the extensive lessons learnt from the CAMPFIRE Programme. The key implementors in this objective will be DCA and AWF. 2. Reduction of Human Wildlife Conflict Outcome 2: Enhanced ecological restoration and improved landscape planning for communities. This will be achieved through improved landscape planning for communities. Programme activities will include careful landuse planning and positioning of strategic and solarised (where appropriate) water points for both communities and wildlife, use of chilli and beeehives as natural fences (these also create income earning potential), use of technology such as collaring animals and training and equipping of community-based scouts. The key implementors for this objective will be DCA, AWF and BAT. 3. Improved Income Earning Opportunities for Communities Outcome 3. Enhanced participation of women and youths in livelihoods and resilience building efforts. This will be achieved through multiplication and diversification of livelihood opportunities with a particular focus on inclusion of women and youth. Activities include promotion of agrobased activities that are climate smart and high value for example quinoa, amaranth, chillies and mushrooms as well as value chain strengthening of apiculture and non-timber forest products. Support will be in the form of starter kits, agro ecology training, establishing community associations for on and off farm products, developing logistics systems to enable online market linkages and promotion of tourism based local economies. The key implementors will be FACHIG and FOHF. 4. Stakeholder Capacity Building and Skills and Knowledge Transfer Outcome 4. Increased gender sensitive public, private participation in sustainable biodiversity management, climate, and research. The objective is to ensure that responsible authorities can meaningfully deliver their mandates and for increased gender sensitive public, private participation in natural resource management. Activities include supporting research work and innovations by local NGOs or community-based organisations working in biodiversity management, assisting Zimbabweans to participate in wildlife value chains and creating opportunities for women and youth to be paid custodians of the ecosystem. All consortium members will work in collaboration to achieve this objective. Each consortium member brings specific expertise in at least one of the objective areas in a particular geography of the Zambezi Valley. The consortium partners will build each others capacity and complement each others work to achieve the ambitious targets set.