By Leonard Masauli

Lilongwe, May 9, Mana: Youth Action for Success and Development (YASD) has embarked on promoting green solutions through the Local Green Innovations Champions Project (LOGIC) to empower and train youths and women in green skills to break their socio-economic barriers in society and respond to the climate crisis.

Speaking in an interview, Executive Director of the organization, Edward Msiska said the project which is being implemented in Dedza and Lilongwe focuses on green skills.

Among other objectives, it aims at equipping youths and women with the knowledge to engage in sustainable grassroots green businesses to combat climate change.

"Climate change has impacted the economic sector and further increased the vulnerability of women and youths in terms of economic empowerment. This project will therefore equip the youths and women so that they can gain practical experience in running green businesses," he said.

According to Msiska, the project also includes elements of advocacy and climate literacy, adding besides learning skills for green businesses, women and youths will also acquire leadership and advocacy skills to address issues that matter to them.

He observed that the project will address recycling issues, considering the challenges Malawi faces in waste management.

“Currently, the four cities in Malawi accumulate about 100 tonnes of waste, necessitating innovative approaches to waste management.

"For instance, YASD will recycle waste into wealth, with young people producing compost manure, creating tumblers from glass bottles, making fire briquettes from agricultural residues, and crafting notice boards from waste papers, among other initiatives," he said.

District Youth Officer for Lilongwe City Council, Wezi Kamanga commended YASD for its initiatives, saying it will empower young people to realize their economic potential.

The LOGIC project operates in Traditional Chitukula and Tsabango in Lilongwe, and Kamenyagwaza and Kachindamoto in Dedza district. It targets 160 youths, comprising 30 percent males and 70 percent females, and is supported by IM Swedish Development Partners with funding amounting to MK88 million.