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The European Union (EU) in Zambia has launched the €46 million Green Nexus Programme in collaboration with international partners.
The programme which was launched with International partners who include Czechia, France, Sweden, Germany and the World Food Programme would run from 2023 to 2031.
Karolina Stasiak, EU Ambassador to Zambia and Green Economy and Environment Minister, Collins Nzovu, launched the programme in Lusaka on Thursday.
Stasiak said the Green Nexus Programme was part of the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy and aimed to contribute towards a sustainable and resilient future for Zambia.
“This is by integrating environmental sustainability, economic development, and social well-being through a comprehensive “nexus” approach,” she stated.
Stasiak added that it was designed to tackle some of Zambia’s most pressing issues, including climate change, biodiversity loss and water scarcity.
She said by promoting integrated natural resource management, the programme would leverage the synergies between agriculture, forestry, biodiversity, water management, and climate action to enhance ecosystem resilience and boost economic growth.
“The EU has provided £37.3 million, including a transfer agreement from Sweden for about €7 million,” Stasiak stated
She added that the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development had contributed €6 million.
Stasiak said the World Food Programme, the Czech Development Agency and Agence Française de Développement had each contributed €1 million.
“With the European Green Deal, the EU and its Member States took the global lead on climate action,” she stated.
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Cissy Byenkya Kabasuuga, the World Food Programme Country Director in Zambia, said the initiative would build the resilience of thousands of smallholder farmers in Zambia.
“It will foster sustainable agricultural development, promoting financial empowerment, and facilitating access to markets and technology,” Kabasuuga said.
During same event, Nzovu, said the National Green Growth Strategy had been developed to place Zambia on a low Carbon, resilient, resource efficient and socially inclusive pathway.
The key Ministries to benefit from this initiative are Green Economy and Environment, Finance and National Planning, Agriculture, Water Sanitation and Development, Lands and Natural Resources and Local Government and Rural Development.
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