Youth Engagement on Climate Action

On 19th June, 2025, FHA held an engagement meeting in Mponda, Kasungu, with youth representatives from Chipekwe and Chemu villages. This meeting marked the formation of a new beneficiary group supported by Global Greengrants Fund, aimed at fostering youth-led climate action within rural communities.

The session was officially opened by Mr. Hope Mandala, an alumnus of the Climate Justice School and 𝗬𝗔𝗙 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 Ambassador for Malawi. In his remarks, Mr. Mandala highlighted the importance of community-driven responses to climate change and the need to build resilience at the local level. He encouraged the youth to take initiative in leading climate solutions that reflect their realities.

Ms. Georgia Nyirenda, representing the Malawi National Youth Network on Climate Change - NYNCC delivered a presentation focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation. She outlined practical strategies that rural communities can adopt, including reforestation, sustainable agriculture, and water management. Ms. Nyirenda emphasized the role of young people in implementing these locally led initiatives and urged them to be actively involved in policy processes, where their voices can influence decisions that affect their environment and future.

The participants also learnt from Mr. Nelson Nkhoma, a beekeeping expert, who introduced the fundamentals of bee colony biology. He explained the structure of a bee colony, describing the roles of the queen, workers, and drones, and how their interactions support the health and productivity of the hive.

Mr. Nkhoma went on to explain how beekeeping supports the ecosystem through pollination, which enhances biodiversity and crop yields. He introduced modern methods of beekeeping using Top-bar and Langstroth hives and discussed sustainable practices that promote long-term hive health and environmental balance. His session also included guidance on how to manage hives effectively and ethically to ensure both environmental and economic benefits.

The session sparked a strong interest among the youth, who expressed enthusiasm about taking up beekeeping both as a means of conserving the environment and as a potential income-generating activity. This engagement marked an encouraging step towards building youth capacity in climate action and sustainable livelihoods in Chipekwe and Chemu.