Protecting Food, Water and Wildlife to Strengthen Resilience in Zimbabwe

Once considered the 'breadbasket of Africa,' Zimbabwe has faced a series of political, economic, and climatic crises that increased vulnerability for communities. In an effort to reduce emergency assistance outlays and help Zimbabweans better cope with recurrent crises, the USAID/Zimbabwe Mission used CLA to break down the technical 'silos' to design programmatic, multidisciplinary approaches to build community resilience. Broadening outside of food security, USAID/Zimbabwe is now integrating governance, climate change adaptation and biodiversity objectives to protect food, water and wildlife to strengthen overall resilience outcomes. This integrated whole-of government approach will sustain the ecosystem services that Zimbabweans depend upon for their livelihoods and relieve the mounting stress on current agricultural systems and water availability.

The Mission updated its technical evidence base through Requests for Informations, consultations, and a multi-stage co-design with internal and external stakeholders including women, youth, and other marginalized groups, local organizations, and private sector. The Mission collaborated intensely with USAID stakeholders in Washington to refine and sharpen the strategic landscape management framework, securing $9.5 million of additional funding to jump-start the new holistic resilience strategy. The Mission used co-creation in the design of a CLA focused award including a post-award co-design with local stakeholders to develop integrated activities in the field in support of the New Partnership Initiative and to ensure a locally-led approach. The Mission positioned its new award as an 'anchor' to coordinate the complex activity layering in the field and to ensure continuous learning and adaptive management during implementation.