1.1Project Summary
The project intends to help mitigate the effects of climate change among community households through installation of 2 solar powered systems to pump water from the borehole and weir and establishment of community one nutrition garden near the borehole site while one will be constructed near the weir by Integrated community development project being currently implemented by Caritas Gweru in ward 5. Through these community gardens, households benefiting will be trained in conservation farming methods and principles which will help people to realize benefits of using improved sustainable farming methods. The climate change awareness campaigns are anticipated to increase community awareness and appreciation of the need to preserve water sources and the importance of conservation agriculture. Water point management trainings will also be undertaken so that knowledge of effective management of water points is imparted to communities and help in community empowerment through knowledge transfer and sharing skills. There is high siltation and desertification which is taking place as a result of unorganized garden farming practiced in the area and this has been experienced over the years. This project therefore seeks to assist farmers to conduct organized community farming through the establishment of non-bush fenced gardens with adequate water supply. The project will also promote the use of energy saving techniques, assist in the sourcing of materials and coordinating the construction of 140 fuel saving stoves for households in the 5 villages. The water supply system will be established through drilling borehole close to the garden and the water will also be used for sanitation and other domestic purposes. The one village that is targeted for the drilling of the borehole is currently experiencing perennial water problems which require immediate assistance to alleviate their water and food shortages. Ward 5 lies in Agro ecological region IV receives 450 - 600 mm rainfall per year and is also subject to frequent seasonal droughts.
The ward received an average of 345mm of rainfall during the 2015/2016 as a result of climate change induced Elnino phenomenon.
People from these communities walk distances of over 2 km to the nearest safe water sources and this creates a burden mostly for women and girls who carry the water for domestic use and other household chores. Hence a majority of these households have either small bush fenced gardens along rivers or no land for gardening activities that can assist in sustainable food production and security. The undertaking of this project will buttress the efforts to mitigate climate change through prioritizing agro-ecological activities such as training of farmers in organic farming practices in their community gardens. These agro-ecological activities seek to ensure that the targeted communities intensively practice organic farming techniques as opposed to use of chemical methods which are currently used to control vegetable pests and diseases in the individual gardens which are harmful to the environment.
1.2 Organizational Background and Capacity to implement the project
? Caritas Gweru is the development and relief arm of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Gweru and it is committed to evangelize and develop the human person with special emphasis for the poor and vulnerable groups in the Diocese of Gweru through food security, livelihoods, education, health, social responses and emergency programmes. We operate in 6 districts of the Midlands province Zimbabwe namely Shurugwi, Mberengwa, Chirumhanzu, Kwekwe Zvishavane and Gweru. The organization currently has an Integrated Community Development Programme which is being implemented in 3 villages of Mfiri ward 5 of Shurugwi district .The programme is implementing water and sanitation ,Income Saving and lendings, Food security and child protection projects through the Asset based community development model approach where communities are key in determining projects that improve their current vulnerable food insecurity status and implement them with assistance of funding partners. Under water and sanitation, the project is assisting drilling hand pumped borehole, construction of a Weir and toilets for vulnerable community members and secondary school in the area. Under food security, the project will establish 2 nutrition gardens which will be irrigated by the weir after and hand driven borehole. The project is also training garden farmers income generating and lending activities to improve their income levels. Child protection awareness campaigns are also being undertaken covering 1 secondary school and 2 primary schools within the area covered by the programmes. These activities covered by this programme correlate with GEF thematic areas such as demonstration, development and transfer of low-GHG technologies at the community level through installation of solar for water pumping systems and promotion of fuel saving stoves and phasing out of chemicals of global concern at community level through promotion of organic farming practices. Thus, Caritas Gweru intends to increase coverage of operational villages by incorporating 2 more villages to work with 3 villages which we are currently working with under ICDP implement climate change projects under GEF SGP such as climate change mitigation through the use of renewable solar energy, conservation farming, agro-ecology and the protection of water sources to increase food security and sustainable livelihood options. This project will be implemented in ward 5 Mliswa, Nhatare, Dendere, Sarai and Zireva villages covering 140 farming households who will participate in organic farming in established gardens and use other energy saving methods such as fuel stoves to reduce deforestation. However Sarai and Zireva villages are not covered by ICDP because of funding challenges. The weather pattern in Ward 5 falls within ecological region 4 which is mostly characterized by erratic rainfall and harsh weather conditions while the majority of other wards fall within ecological region 3.The harsh weather conditions in ward 5 were worsened by the 2015-2016 El-Nino effect which caused severe high temperatures and very low rainfall in most of the Southern African region and this resulted in very poor agricultural production to which Zimbabwe has declared a state of drought. However average rainfall was received in Shurugwi. Therefore ward 5 received very little rainfall of about 7mm in February 2016 which was unable to sustain the rain fed agriculture on which a majority of the households in ward 5 heavily depend on because there are very few reliable alternative sources of water for irrigated farming. The average yield per farmer is 0.05 metric tonnes for this season.
Caritas Gweru has been operating in the diocese for since 1972 and it has gained experience in development and humanitarian work over the years. The organization is linked to all sister Caritas diocesan offices in Zimbabwe and in the whole catholic world. The incumbent personnel who will manage this project have experiences running similar projects both at Caritas and from other developmental organizations including government service.
The structure of the organization starts with the Bishop of Gweru Diocese who is the legal holder of organization, followed by the Ex-Officio who represents the Bishop sometimes in the board meeting, followed by board of directors, Diocesan Coordinator, Programmes Manager, Finance Officer and Field Officers.
CARITAS GWERU ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The target population for the projects include men, women, school children, teachers and the youth especially coming villages and schools covered the our climate change programmes
Caritas Gweru started operating in ward 5 since July 2015.We are implementing the current project through the Asset Based community Development model approach where communities are in the forefront of proposing projects which seek to help them realize improvement of their livelihoods life lines for self-sustainability and resiliencies. This also creates a lot of ownership to them. These projects also mainstream environmental and climate change activities which include farmer training in water and soil conservation techniques and as such, the implementation of the proposed GEF SGP will be done with regard to experience gained.

1.3Project Objectives and Expected Results
? Problem statement or challenge the project intends to address

The excessive cutting down of trees by community members for firewood, fencing of fields and gardens is accelerating depletion of forests in the ward and small scale farms around it which they share boundaries with and where people in the area are also sourcing additional firewood and fencing material. If tree cutting is not minimized, the effects of climate change in the area will continue to present varieties of challenges to human livelihoods and well beings. Furthermore, cutting down of trees is causing desertification of the ward leaving soil heavily prone to soil erosion. The Eroded soils are fast filling up rivers and tributaries which are communities? source of water for livestock, gardening activities and other domestic uses. A baseline survey carried out by Geography department of the University of Zimbabwe to understand the climate profiles of the study wards, their vulnerability to climate change, the current state of climate services, climate information required by communities as well as potential projects that could be implemented in the study wards to help communities mitigate climate change impacts. The results of the baseline survey indicated that the district is experiencing negative effects of climate change such as increased rainfall variability, frequent dry spells as well as contraction of the rainfall season. These impacts are further worsened by the fact that the study area does not have adequate weather observation network. Moreover, the communities consider the weather services as not so useful as they are too coarse for operational purposes. There is therefore need to improve dissemination and packaging of climate information if farmers are to collectively support mitigation measures to slow down effects brought about by climate change .To further strengthen their capacity to respond to climate change, communities prioritized a number of projects such as on energy by promoting use of alternative clean energy like solar for irrigation, wood fuel saving stoves for household cooking. The solar powered irrigation energy will help to cut carbon emission in contrast to situation if pumping was to done by fossil fuel run generators which exacerbate increased carbon emissions further compounding effects of climate change. The proposed planting of woodlots and fruit trees and promotion of use of wood energy saving stoves will help in slow depletion of forests and increase aforestations which help in increasing carbon sequestration.


Women in ward 5 fetching water in heavily silted Musavezi river in ward 5 and gardens nearby.






? Overall project goal/primary objective

? To promote climate change mitigation through the use of renewable solar energy, other energy saving techniques, woodlot plantations and improved access to clean water to promote sustainable livelihoods.


Specific objectives
1: To increase knowledge and awareness on climate change causes, impact and the possible mitigation strategies.
2: To promote the use of renewable solar energy and wood energy saving techniques to mitigate climate change effects.
3. To establish and protect water sources for improved access to clean water for agricultural production, domestic use and reduction in environmental degradation.
4: To improve food security and sustainable livelihood options through the establishment of I Nutrition garden in Sarai village.

? Rationale/justification of the project

The project was mooted by communities in ward 5 appealing for assistance in mitigating climate change and the respective environmental challenges that are brought about by continued poor rainfall patterns that are being experienced in the area. As a result of these challenges many households in the community are facing serious water problems for domestic use and agricultural purposes. The Zimbabwe agenda for sustainable socio-economic transformation (ZIMASSET) blue print sets four strategic clusters to be pursued to ensure revival and growth of economic assets which will improve livelihoods of people and communities. These four clusters include food security and nutrition and infrastructural development clusters merge very well with the intentions of the project which seeks to promote the use of renewable energy and the protection of water sources to mitigate climate change and promote sustainable livelihoods. Furthermore, the continued dwindling of forests due to incessant cutting of trees for fencing individual gardens calls for joint prompt action by the community and development partners to offer sustainable solutions which in this instance will come through centralized community gardens that are protected with barbed or diamond mash wire. Local support from traditional and rural district council leadership as well as relevant government departments boosts hope that the project will be given all implementation support required. The projects will be undertaken in 5 villages namely Sarai, Zireva, Mliswa, Nhatare and Dendere.Mliswa,Nhatare and Dendere villages are already covered by Integrated community development programmes implemented by Caritas Gweru while Sarai and Vengai have also requested to be incorporated in any related developmental activities for the promotion of their livelihood situations. Land for garden will be given free by village head close to any potential site for borehole Below are number of participants expected to benefit from the programs


MALE FEMALE TOTAL
VILLAGES Direct Indirect Direct Indirect Direct Indirect GRAND TOTAL
SARAI 8 10 15 15 23 25 48
MLISWA 10 3 18 5 28 8 36
NHATARE 14 10 26 20 40 30 70
ZIREVA 9 7 14 17 23 24 47
DENDERE 8 10 18 20 2 6 30 56
Total 49 40 91 77 140 117 257





Table 1: Objectives, activities, outputs and outcomes

OBJECTIVE 1 : To increase knowledge and awareness on climate change causes, impact and the possible mitigation strategies.
Outputs Activities Outcome
Output :1
1. Increased knowledge and awareness on climate change mitigation strategies.
2. Increased participation of households in afforestation activities.
Indicators:
? Number of farmers trained on environmental issues with focus on climate change.
? Number of training workshops and meetings held.
? Number and types awareness materials produced.
Baseline:
? No farmers trained on environmental issues with focus on climate change
? Zero workshops conducted on climate change
? No awareness raising materials produced
? ¼ hectare gum tree plantation in Sarai village
Target
? Farmer trainings on environmental issues.
.
? 2 hectares wood lot plantation establishment in Zireva and Sarai villages.
? Conducting awareness campaigns through every gathering conducted in the ward.
? Conducting baseline survey
? Planting woodlots in the communities.
? Fencing woodlot plantation
? Training committee in management of plantations.
? Sourcing of awareness on climate change reading materials
? Conducting look and learn visits to ward 1 and 14
? Commemoration of Environment and tree planting days.
? Document lessons learnt.






? Reduced soil and moisture losses
? Knowledge increased on environmental conservation among community members
? Increased conservation knowledge management and sharing among households targeted.
? Increased plantation of woodlots in the area
? Reduced cutting down of trees for individual garden fencing and firewood.


OBJECTIVE 2: To promote the use of renewable solar energy and wood energy saving techniques to mitigate climate change effects.


Outputs Activities Outcome
Output 2:
1. Increased use of energy saving stoves among community members.
2. Establishing solar energy pumping systems in community gardens.
Indicators:
? Increase in % of households with knowledge on purposes of energy saving techniques for climate change mitigation.
? Number of wood energy saving stoves.
? Number of solar energy pumping systems established in the community.

Baseline:

? No of people trained on construction and use of wood energy stoves.
? No community gardens are using solar energy for pumping water for irrigation.
Target:
? Establishment of 1 solar energy system for pumping irrigation and domestic use.
? 140 farmers trained in construction of energy saving stoves

? 140 households have wood energy saving stoves constructed.

? Procurement of materials for the establishment of the wood energy construction material.
? Contracting reputable solar energy vendors knowledgeable in solar systems establishments.
? Training project beneficiaries on importance of wood and solar energy systems. ? Number of families using wood energy saving stoves
? Number of solar energy established.
? Knowledge increased on climate change mitigation among community members.
3. To establish and protect water sources for improved access to clean water for agricultural production, domestic use and reduction in environmental degradation.
Outputs Activities Outcome
Output 3
1. Environment protection through fencing of water sources.
2. Improved access to adequate and clean water for irrigation and domestic use.
Indicators:
? Increase in % of farmers with knowledge on organic farming
? Number of families with improved livelihoods.
? Reduction in the % of people constructing gardens on river banks
? % increase in the number of income levels through selling horticultural products
? Number of households ? gender segregated participating in the project
Baseline:

? No farmers trained on organic farming
? All participating households have an average of 2 meals per day with a balanced diet
? 40 farmers are practicing stream bank cultivation
? Average current level of income is 10 USD per cropping season
TARGET
? 2 boreholes drilling in Zireva and Sarai
? Fencing of 2 borehole in Sarai and Zireva
? Fencing of Weir dam in Nhatare village



? Borehole drilling in Zireva and Sarai villages
? Fencing of 2 boreholes established boreholes in Sarai and Zireva
? Fencing of Weir dam in Nhatare village.
? Training water point committee in asset management
? Training of hygiene(PHHE) to participants
? Moulding of concrete standard bricks
? Construction of garden toilets
? Improved access for adequate and clean water for domestic and plantation irrigation.
? Increased security of water points
? Minimized land degradation around the Weir dam through controlled animal watering.
OBJECTIVE 4: To improve food security and sustainable livelihood options through the establishment of one Nutrition garden at Sarai village nutrition garden

Outputs Activities
Outcome
Output 4:
1.Establishing 1 nutrition and organic community garden that are practicing conservation farming
2 Increased income through selling horticultural products, improved market linkages and ISAL activities.
3. Environment protection through central community gardens as opposed to individual river side gardens.
4.. Establishment of orchard trees in the gardens and project beneficiary homesteads to promote agro ecology
Indicators:
? Increase in % of farmers with knowledge on organic farming
? Number of families with improved livelihoods.
? Reduction in the % of people constructing gardens on river banks
? % increase in the number of income levels through selling horticultural products
? Number of households ? gender segregated participating in the project
Baseline:
? No farmers trained on organic farming
? All participating households have an average of 2 meals per day with a balanced diet
? 20 farmers are practicing stream bank cultivation
? Average current level of income is 10 USD per cropping season


Target:
? Establishment of 1 organic garden

? 140 farmers have improved livelihoods
? USD 15 raised by each farmer per cropping season
? ? Procurement of materials for the establishment of the 1 community organic nutrition garden
? Fencing the 1 organic nutritious garden
? Training on market linkages
? Linking farmers to markets at local markets eg at Chachacha business centre and other markets outside the district.
? Healthy cooking demonstrations of nutritious garden produce
? Planting of orchard in Sarai garden and project beneficiary homesteads ? The production of nutritious and organic products in the gardens
? Increased number of markets for the nutritious and organic products
? Number of gardens established.
? Increased households income generated through sales of garden produce.
? ISAL groups formed and trained
? Improved household food security
? Number of trained garden committees
? Number of farmers trained in horticultural conservation
? Improved market linkages of farmers buyers and seeds producers



Target
? 140 farmers trained in organic farming
? Linking about 50 farmers to markets
? One garden established in Sarai village
? One cooking demonstration conducted
? Formation at least 2 groups of ISAL in Sarai garden