COMMUNITY-LED CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION AND RESILIENT LIVELIHOODS PROJECT

COMMUNITY-LED CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION AND RESILIENT LIVELIHOODS PROJECT IN CHITAMBO, ZAMBIA.
1. Background and Rationale

Chitambo District, situated in Zambia’s Central Province, encompasses an expansive area of approximately 11,884.5 km². According to the Chitambo Integrated Development Plan (IDP) 2022-2032, the district is witnessing a significant demographic shift, with the population surging from 48,861 in 2010 to an estimated 100,603 in 2022.

Agriculture remains the lifeblood of the district's economy, serving as the primary source of livelihood for the majority of the population due to the absence of other major industries providing income. Currently, the sector is dominated by small-scale farming, with over 15,537 farmers relying on a strained extension service where the ratio is approximately one officer for every 1,000 farmers.

The environmental integrity of Chitambo is under severe threat from both climate change and unsustainable land use practices. The delayed rainfall and irregular weather patterns have already begun to reduce agricultural yields, affecting community nutrition and increasing the cost of production for livestock and crop farming.
Furthermore, the district's three primary forest reserves Mulembo, Kanona, and Musola are facing critical levels of deforestation. High forest permit fees have historically driven local residents toward illegal tree cutting for domestic fuel and commercial use, creating an urgent need for reforestation and the adoption of energy-efficient technologies.

To address these vulnerabilities, us at CHDF prioritizes environmental protection and climate mitigation as core development pillars. Current data indicates a high poverty and vulnerability rate of 61%, which the district aims to reduce to 40% through targeted interventions in the economic and environmental sectors.

This project aligns directly with the district's strategic framework by transforming farmers into environmental custodians and integrating climate-resilient survival skills into existing community structures to ensure long-term socio-economic stability.

2. Overall Objectives

To establish and demonstrate climate change mitigation approaches in Chitambo District to enhance food and income security for 5,000 smallholder farmers.

3. Specific Objectives
•To reduce local deforestation and land depletion by transforming farmers into custodians of their environment.
•To promote the adoption of firewood-saving stoves and sustainable soil fertility improvement.
•To build long-term resilience for community members by integrating mitigation actions into existing community structures.

4. Key Activities
-Reforestation by planting 150,000 trees to restore degraded lands.
-Soil fertility improvement by implementing soil enhancement techniques through the use of biochar and compost.
-Energy efficiency by facilitating the adoption and use of firewood-saving stoves among smallholder farmers.
-Capacity building through training farmers to become active custodians of their local environment.

5. Expected Results and Impact
-The project will plant 150,000 trees to restore degraded lands and improve the management effectiveness of terrestrial areas.
-Carbon emissions will be mitigated through the widespread adoption of firewood-saving stoves and the application of biochar and compost for soil enhancement.
-The food and income security of 5,000 smallholder farmers will be significantly enhanced by integrating climate-smart agricultural practices into community structures.
-Pressure on the district’s primary forest reserves, including Mulembo and Kanona, will be reduced as farmers transition into active environmental custodians.
-The project will advance gender equality by ensuring the inclusion of women and marginalized groups in decision-making and resource allocation.
-Local community-based organizations will gain the technical skills and resource mobilization capacity required to sustain environmental governance beyond the project lifecycle.

To discuss the partnership and the full proposal, kindly write to us at chitambodf@gmail.com