KITWE Mayor Presents Cheque to 21 Successful Youth-Led Organisation Under YCAF Project.
Kitwe, Zambia – This morning, Kitwe Mayor Her Worship Ms. Mpasa Mwaya handed over a symbolic cheque to 21 successful youth-led organisations under the second round of the Youth Action Climate Fund (YCAF) Project.
The groups will receive grants ranging from USD 2,000 to USD 5,000 to support their innovative climate action initiatives. A total of 85,000 USD will be disbursed.
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In her remarks, Her Worship Ms. Mwaya congratulated the successful applicants and urged them to approach their projects with passion, dedication, and innovation.
She also emphasized the importance of accountability and transparency in the use of the funds.
“I urge the recipients to use the YCAF funds strictly for the implementation of the approved projects, according to the submitted budgets, and not for personal gain,” she said.
The Mayor expressed satisfaction with the nature of the projects being implemented by the youth, noting that they address pressing challenges such as waste management.
She cited initiatives like the production of pavers from plastic waste and the creation of organic manure from organic waste as examples of impactful solutions.
Kitwe Town Clerk, Mr. Patrick Kambita, also shared his optimism about the programme’s impact.
“I am proud of the success of the first round and look forward to the positive outcomes from the second round. These projects will significantly contribute to building a sustainable future for our community,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kitwe City Council Director of Health Services and City Team Lead, Mr. Rodney Banda, expressed gratitude to the YCAF Steering Committee for selecting high-impact, climate-friendly projects.
He revealed that the project received 99 applications, from which 21 youth-led organisations were selected through a rigorous and inclusive selection process involving various stakeholders.
Mr. Banda also proposed the establishment of a Youth Advisory Board to work with the Council in providing solutions and policy recommendations under a relevant standing committee.
The Youth Action Climate Fund, which is funded by the Bloomberg Philanthropies, is a vital initiative that empowers young people to lead the fight against climate change while promoting sustainable development in local communities. The successful organisations will implement projects in key areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and waste management.