By Innocent Manda

Lilongwe, June 25, MANA: Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change Dr Owen Chomanika, has called for the mainstreaming and upscaling of youth led ecosystem restoration programmes as a strategy for climate adaptation, job creation, and green economic transformation.

The minister made the remarks on Wednesday in Lilongwe during the Malawi Green Corps.

The workshop, convened by the government with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) brought together stakeholders to assess the progress and impact of the Malawi Green Corps initiative.

Chomanika said, “This programme is a catalytic model for achieving climate resilience and environmental sustainability as It speaks directly to Enabler seven of Malawi Vision 2063 by integrating green growth and youth empowerment into national development planning.”

Launched in 2022 by President Lazarus Chakwera, the Malawi Green Corps aims to restore over 5,000 hectares of degraded landscapes across the country.

It engages youth in nature-based solutions, integrated land use management, and waste repurposing, while building their skills in circular economy models.

According to Dr Chomanika, more than 2,000 young people from 10 districts have so far participated in the restoration of ecologically sensitive areas, contributing to the reversal of Malawi’s estimated two percent annual loss of forest cover.

Chomanika added, “I salute the young eco-champions whose hands-on efforts in restoration hotspots are not only mitigating environmental degradation but are a strategic investment in our natural capital.”

CRS Technical Advisor for Land Restoration, Baxton Chirombo, said the project offers dual benefits by addressing ecological fragility and youth unemployment.

Chirombo said, “This project is a game changer. By targeting degraded ecosystems and simultaneously creating pathways for green entrepreneurship we are tackling both climate shocks and socio-economic vulnerability head on.”

UNDP Resident Representative, Fenella Frost, stressed the importance of youth led local climate solutions in achieving the targets of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030).

“Young people are the frontline actors in climate mitigation and adaptation and as UNDP, we are proud to co-finance scalable home-grown solutions like the Malawi Green Corps,” said Frost.

During the workshop, Dedza, Ntcheu, Salima, and Karonga districts were recognised for their progress in ecological restoration.

In Dedza alone, 229 youth successfully regenerated 570 hectares of forestland.

The Malawi Green Corps initiative is viewed as a model for inclusive environmental stewardship, aiming to strengthen climate resilience while generating green jobs for young people in both rural and peri-urban settings.

Stakeholders at the workshop called for increased investment policy support and intersectoral collaboration to ensure the sustainability and expansion of the programme nationwide.