Strengthening Peer Learning between Grassroots Women in Luangwa

Mutual capacity strengthening is a key strategic area under the Voices for Just Climate Action (VCA) programme. The VCA alliance embraces this to enhance cross-pollination of the wealth of knowledge and experiences within the VCA community of grassroots movements, partners and alliance members. Panos Institute Southern Africa and the Zambia Institute for Independent Media Alliance (ZIIMA) visited the Katondwe Alliance of Women (KAW), a grassroots community supported by the Zambia Alliance of Women, a local partner under Akina Mama wa Afrika. The visit facilitated a dialogue meeting at Katondwe Mission in Luangwa district to document and share some of the stories of change related to gender and climate justice.

 

 

 

The site visit, which shed light on the intersectionality of gender and climate change, provided a platform for KAW to showcase their local climate initiative and, in exchange, learn of model initiatives such as the Kanyama Green Innovation project that could add value to their interventions and contribute to the positive transformation of the community. The meeting also provided the alliance engaged in riverbed gardening along the Luangwa River to share challenges and possible interventions that could enhance their knowledge around climate change mitigation and adaptation.

 

“We have seen and heard of what our colleagues are doing in making the most out of domestic waste to produce organic fertilisers and engage in sack gardening…we would do well to have a hands-on learning experience and see for ourselves the works of our colleagues in Kanyama and see how we could adopt some of their strategies here in Katondwe” – Mary Banda

 

Among the dialogue outcomes was a proposal by the alliance members for a peer-to-peer exchange programme to exchange ideas and knowledge with the Kanyama Women’s Federation as a successful model of green space initiatives.

 

 

 

Panos Institute Southern Africa organised a community-to-community exchange programme in Lusaka to respond to the KAW proposal and empower grassroots communities with sustainable waste management practices. The programme supported KAW and their local leadership in travelling to Lusaka to explore sustainable livelihood options that could transform their communities. The exchange facilitated a hands-on learning experience for the alliance, offering valuable insights into waste management techniques, sack gardening, and organic fertiliser production to help combat environmental challenges and improve community welfare.

 

 

BRIDGING THE KNOWLEDGE GAP: FROM LUANGWA RIVERBED TO KANYAMA GREEN SPACES

This exchange programme was conceived with a unique purpose. The KAW community, whose members primarily engage in gardening, especially on the banks of the Luangwa River, frequently face challenges with human-wildlife conflict, as their gardens often attract wildlife from nearby conservation areas. This delicate balance has prompted the need for alternative, sustainable solutions that allow them to pursue livelihoods while protecting their crops and the surrounding ecosystem.

 

 

 

The Kanyama Green Spaces project in Lusaka, known for pioneering urban waste management practices, was an ideal learning ground. Participants from the KAW community observed how community-led initiatives can effectively repurpose household waste and contribute to the local economy. Through demonstrations, field tours, and discussions with Kanyama leaders, KAW members explored the potential of sack gardening—a technique that utilises recyclable bags filled with soil to grow vegetables. They also learned about organic fertiliser production, where organic waste is composted and transformed into nutrient-rich fertiliser, reducing environmental harm and supporting agricultural productivity.

 

SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVES TO RIVERBED GARDENING

The visit offered KAW new perspectives on sustainable waste management and community resilience. Sack gardening and organic fertiliser production presented viable alternatives to riverbed gardening, reducing dependency on high-risk areas prone to animal intrusion. Sack gardening, especially, enables families to cultivate vegetables within the confines of their homes, using minimal space and resources. This approach could decrease the community’s reliance on land near wildlife habitats, helping mitigate human-animal conflicts.

 

“We have usually done our gardening near the riverbed because the soil is fertile there…with this knowledge of making our own bokashi manure and gardening our own vegetables in sacks within the confines of our homes will indeed save us the time of going to the distant riverbeds to do our gardening” – Jeff Daka.

 

Similarly, the organic fertiliser production process, centred around composting household waste, showcased how local waste could be transformed into a valuable resource. The programme emphasised a low-cost, high-impact approach where communities can create an alternative source of income by producing and selling organic fertiliser. For KAW members, adopting these techniques could enhance food security, generate income, and contribute positively to environmental conservation.

 

 

BUILDING LASTING PARTNERSHIPS FOR SUSTAINABLE CHANGE

Beyond the practical skills acquired, the exchange fostered a collaborative relationship between KAW and the leaders of Kanyama Green Spaces. Both groups are committed to sharing knowledge, experiences, and resources to promote sustainable community development across Zambia. Panos Institute Southern Africa plans to support these communities with regular follow-ups, skill-sharing workshops, and advocacy efforts to amplify these initiatives and facilitate funding and resource mobilisation.

 

 

 

The Katondwe Alliance of Women delegation returned home with a renewed vision to implement these sustainable practices and further educate their community members. Panos seeks to champion community-driven environmental solutions through this exchange, laying the groundwork for a greener, more resilient community in Katondwe. This initiative demonstrates the power of community-to-community learning and solidarity, which is instrumental in empowering local communities to tackle pressing environmental and livelihood challenges.

 

“As we embark on this new chapter, the KAW community’s experiences and the lessons they have gained in Lusaka may soon inspire neighbouring communities, ultimately strengthening the environmental stewardship and self-sufficiency of rural and urban areas alike” –Gwendolyn Phiri.

 

This Community-to-Community Exchange represents a transformative opportunity for farmers and community members. The programme is more than a knowledge-sharing platform; it serves as a means to empower communities with skills and tools essential for sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.

Through VCA, communities practising conventional, costly farming methods can interact with those utilising organic farming and green infrastructure. Farmers can learn how to minimise expenses by observing and exchanging practical knowledge while implementing climate-smart practices that protect the environment and improve their crop yield. Green infrastructure, like rainwater harvesting and agroforestry, and organic farming, which avoids costly synthetic inputs, contribute to environmental sustainability and long-term soil fertility.

 

 

 

In essence, this programme is a lifeline for promoting resilience to climate change. It will equip communities in Katondwe with practical, low-cost strategies, fostering a collective approach to safeguarding the land, preserving natural resources, and building food security. For farmers and communities in Katondwe, embracing these practices through collaborative learning will enable them to transition toward sustainable, cost-effective agriculture that benefits both the environment and their livelihoods.

 

“This exchange is not just about sharing information; it is about building the capacity to make impactful, sustainable choices and drive climate action from the grassroots level…we wish to have our own green space in Katondwe.” – Samson Chipoka

 

The Community-to-Community Exchange Programme between KAW and the Kanyama Women’s Federation represents a powerful step forward in grassroots climate action. This collaboration underscores the importance of community-led solutions and women’s vital role in the climate action narrative. As Zambia continues to face diverse environmental challenges, such programmes provide a hopeful model for how community linkages and knowledge-sharing can drive sustainable change from the ground up.

 

 

 

LOOKING AHEAD: EXPANDING THE EXCHANGE PROGRAMME

With the success of this initial exchange, Panos envisions expanding the programme to include more communities and additional thematic areas, such as renewable energy adoption, water conservation, and alternative livelihood training. By scaling up and diversifying this programme, grassroots communities within the VCA and beyond can foster a resilient, interconnected network of communities united in their commitment to environmental stewardship and climate adaptation.