Conservation Livelihoods in Malawi’s Biospheres (CLIMB)

Total LandCare in partnership with Plan International Malawi, the Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust, Earth Watch Europe is implementing Conservation Livelihoods in Malawi Biospheres-CLIMB’ project in Mzimba district with funding from Jersey Overseas Aid.

The project employs a socio-ecological approach to strengthen biodiversity conservation and natural resources management of Mtangatanga, and Viphya Forest Reserves in Mzimba and Mulanje Mountain Reserve in Mulanje District by Plan International in Malawi.

Earth Watch Europe supports Citizen Science monitoring of soil, water and forest cover and carrying out research. The project aims at improving the livelihoods of 20,000 people (12,000 women and 8,000 men) from rural subsistence farming communities that are reliant on these ecosystems from 1st August 2022 to 31st July 2025.

The project’s approach focuses on inclusivity processes in the agriculture systems and governance, forest management systems and governance (restoration and protection), gender issues, commercialization and income generation, and knowledge management.

The project is being implemented in close collaboration with the Government of Malawi through Department of Forestry and Department of Agricultural Extension Services (DAES) through District Agricultural Development Offices (DADOs) and Community-Based Farmer Organisations (CBFOs) and all relevant community governance structures.

The project intends to achieve;

(a) Improved smallholders’ food security and gender-sensitive livelihood diversification.
(b) Gender-equitable and inclusive community-led sustainable management of natural resources.
(c) Communities actively and inclusively participate in the protection and regeneration of forests.
(d) Community-based monitoring and learning informing government policy and natural resource management best practice.