DAPP Zimbabwe has launched the Youth Empowerment: Safeguarding the Future (YouSafe) project in Bindura District, marking a bold step toward empowering young people to build resilient, sustainable futures. The project debited on the1st of November 2025 to October 2028 with funding support from the OAK Foundation, the project is supporting 300 youth in green entrepreneurship initiatives and strengthen climate change resilience.
Youth in Bindura face growing challenges driven by recurrent droughts, limited job opportunities and declining agricultural productivity. In a district heavily reliant on farming, poor harvests and low incomes have deepened economic hardship, leaving many young people vulnerable. Without access to skills or start-up capital, some turn to risky coping strategies such as artisanal mining, substance abuse and unsafe livelihoods, increasing their exposure to violence, health risks, and HIV infection.
The YOU Safe project addresses these challenges through an integrated, youth-centered approach. It combines training in climate-smart agriculture and green business development with life skills, sexual and reproductive health education and psychosocial support. Youth will be organized into Livelihood Empowerment Groups, enabling them to access mentorship, savings and lending schemes, and a revolving fund to start and grow their enterprises.
Partnerships are central to the project’s success. Collaboration with local stakeholders, key line ministries, Bindura University of Science Education, and FBC Bank will provide technical training, certification, and financial literacy. Community leaders and youth networks will also play a key role in fostering inclusion, particularly for young women and youth with disabilities.
Grounded in the principle of “nothing about us without us,” the project was shaped through consultations with youth and community stakeholders. By equipping young people with practical skills, financial opportunities, and critical health information, the YOU Safe project aims to build resilience, restore hope, and create lasting pathways to economic independence in Bindura.
The project was developed through engagements with youth, government ministries and local stakeholders to better understand their challenges. This was followed by a baseline survey and the project is now running smoothly.
What is most encouraging is the strong collective ownership as everyone is actively involved, as the project was shaped by the people and is implemented for their benefit. We look forward to witnessing life-changing transformation among these young people.