What is the name of your organization?
The Samaritan Trust
What is the name of your solution?
Phindu mu Zinyalala 4 Youth
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
"Empowering vulnerable youth to transform urban waste into economic opportunities, fostering a sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient future."
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Blantyre
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
MWI
What type of organization is your solution team?
Nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
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What specific problem are you solving?
The project tackles the interconnected challenges of poor solid waste management and youth unemployment in Blantyre, Malawi. The city produces approximately 300 tons of waste daily, yet only 28% is collected, leaving the remaining waste to pollute streets, riverbanks, and informal settlements. This contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, urban pollution, and water contamination, exacerbating the impacts of climate change and affecting over 65% of Blantyre's population who live in underserved informal areas. Globally, improper waste management contributes to over 2 billion tons of waste annually, with only 19% recycled, leading to significant environmental harm.
In Malawi, youth unemployment stands at approximately 23%, and young people, particularly women, are disproportionately affected by poverty, crime, and social exclusion. Vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, face additional barriers to economic opportunities and resilience-building efforts. These challenges are intensified by the rapid urbanization and limited capacity of public services.
Our solution directly addresses these issues by empowering 50 marginalized youth (60% women) to lead waste management enterprises. By transforming waste into marketable resources and creating employment opportunities, the project tackles climate change and urban pollution while fostering economic independence and community resilience.
What is your solution?
Our solution, Phindu mu Zinyalala ("Profit from Waste"), transforms urban waste into valuable resources while creating sustainable livelihoods for marginalized youth. It establishes youth-led waste processing hubs in Blantyre’s underserved communities, focusing on three key operations: waste collection, recycling, and composting.
Youth Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) are trained in waste management entrepreneurship. Using this training, they repurpose waste materials like plastics, metals, and glass into marketable products such as curios and recycled goods. Organic waste is converted into compost, supporting urban agriculture. These waste processing hubs use simple yet effective technologies such as manual recycling equipment and composting techniques to reduce costs and ensure accessibility.
The initiative not only decreases urban pollution and greenhouse gas emissions but also provides participants with the tools to build sustainable businesses. By creating a circular economy, the project fosters social inclusion, economic independence, and environmental resilience in a scalable and replicable model. It’s a community-driven innovation that empowers youth to lead the charge in climate action and urban transformation.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Our solution serves youth aged 15–35 who are Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) in Blantyre, Malawi, particularly those experiencing multiple vulnerabilities such as teen mothers, survivors of early marriage, persons with disabilities, street-connected youth, and individuals from ultra-poor households. These marginalized groups face significant barriers to social and economic inclusion, including limited access to education, employment opportunities, and essential resources like safe housing and healthcare. They are disproportionately impacted by poverty, crime, and the effects of climate change.
By equipping 50 youth (60% women) with skills in waste management entrepreneurship, our project addresses both immediate and long-term needs. It provides training in recycling, composting, and crafting marketable products from waste while fostering soft skills like leadership and business management. Participants gain the ability to generate income, achieve economic independence, and create sustainable businesses. Additionally, the initiative builds environmental resilience in underserved communities by reducing pollution and promoting sustainable urban practices. This dual focus on empowerment and climate action transforms lives, creating lasting social and economic impact for the target population.