Deadline Date: February 22, 2026
The Youth Green Transition Project Phase 2, implemented by Hivos in collaboration with the Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Organization and the Green Governance Zimbabwe Trust, is designed to equip urban youth with hands-on skills in hydroponics, aquaponics, organic farming, water harvesting, and marketing.
As urban agriculture faces growing challenges from water scarcity, young entrepreneurs in Mutare are stepping up to transform how food is grown, managed, and marketed in the city. This initiative focuses on developing practical skills and strategies in water harvesting, storage and distribution, low-cost urban water systems, water recycling and reuse, soil water conservation, water-efficient irrigation, water budgeting, and integrating water management into climate-smart production systems.
Funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Zimbabwe, this initiative builds on the achievements of Phase 1, which supported start-ups and entry-level youth green entrepreneurs, and now focuses on strengthening established youth-led agribusinesses.
Participants gain hands-on experience with small-scale water harvesting systems, filtration and greywater reuse models, and demonstrations at technology demonstration sites in the city. Guidance is provided on choosing technologies that match business size and resource availability, helping young agripreneurs adopt cost-effective and environmentally friendly water solutions.
The program also supports the business side of sustainable agriculture by teaching budgeting and costing for water management systems, connecting participants with suppliers for tanks, pipes, and low-cost equipment, and offering strategies for maintenance and long-term sustainability. Documenting best practices and case studies further ensures that innovative water management approaches are shared and replicated across the youth-led agribusiness sector.
Eligible applicants are young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35, residing in Mutare or its surrounding urban areas, operating youth-led agribusinesses in water-stressed regions, and with a traceable physical space of operation and proof of concept. This initiative empowers urban youth to grow competitive, market-oriented, and environmentally sustainable businesses while building resilience against climate challenges.
For more information, visit Hivos People Unlimited.
