Bulawayo youth champions lead climate action through Urban Futures Program
Providence Moyo
BULAWAYO – Thirteen young climate champions in Bulawayo are stepping up to tackle urban food insecurity, climate change, and youth wellbeing as part of the globally supported Urban Futures program.
The initiative, backed by HIVOS and operating in ten intermediary cities across Colombia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, is building local capacity to reimagine urban environments through youth-led solutions.
In Zimbabwe, the program is active in Bulawayo and Mutare. Through the guidance of the Urban Futures framework, the Bulawayo youth champions committee is focusing on four transformative pathways: promoting inclusive and participatory policy processes; advocating for sustainable and climate-resilient practices in food systems; mobilizing increased financial investment into green agriculture; and shaping new narratives that envision climate-smart, inclusive, and conscious urban living.
This youth-led effort is engaging local stakeholders to confront urgent urban challenges such as environmental degradation, inadequate infrastructure, and rising social inequality. The champions bring energy, creativity, and fresh ideas to the climate conversation, positioning youth as active agents of transformation in their cities.
Denise Mudau, Vice Chair of the youth committee, emphasized the importance of inclusive leadership in shaping the future of Bulawayo. “The committee exists to meaningfully involve young people in shaping sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient cities,” she said. “Our vision is to build a future where young people are at the forefront of transforming their cities into greener, fairer, and more equitable spaces.”
Wellbeing is also central to the program’s goals. Yolanda Moyo, the committee’s Wellness Lead, said her involvement stems from a desire to see youth actively engaged in climate conversations. “I want to help other young people become more aware of climate change issues and be part of the solution. I envision more youth in Bulawayo coming up with green ideas, especially around food systems.”
To support their advocacy and leadership, the champions recently participated in a policy training workshop hosted at Bulawayo Holiday Inn. The training used a newly developed policy toolkit created under the Youth Green Transition project by HIVOS in partnership with the Zimbabwe Energy and Law Association (ZELO). The toolkit is designed to help young people engage more effectively in urban climate and environmental governance processes.
Langton Moyo, Bulawayo Project Manager for Urban Futures, said the youth committee was formed to center young people in the city’s adaptation and sustainability plans. “We want to promote youth-led innovations. Young people are taking the lead in climate adaptation and pioneering innovations into our programming so that we are guided by the aspirations of young people in the city.”
With growing momentum and support, the Bulawayo youth champions committee is poised to make a meaningful impact—driving a new era of climate leadership, resilience, and urban transformation from the ground up.
