Green enterPRIZE Innovation and Development in Zimbabwe

The proposed project seeks to contribute to solving a series of inter-related development problems, such as high levels of youth employment, low levels of formal and growth oriented entrepreneurship and unsustainable production processes of SMEs in Zimbabwe. The causes of these problems stem from, among other things, historical gender inequality where women, and especially young women, do not have access to equal technical skills and entrepreneurship development opportunities. In addition, the current education system does not produce work ready graduates and neither graduates with entrepreneurial skills and competencies, which results in both young men and women struggling to find employment as well as struggling to start their own businesses. In addition, an inadequate legal and regulatory green economy framework means that enterprises, first of all, lack incentives to move towards sustainable operations and, secondly, lack awareness about opportunities in the green economy wherefore many firms continue to source unsustainable inputs and continue to pollute water and air. Finally, a stagnant economy with very low levels of economic activity has led to virtual de-industrialization with many larger enterprises folding resulting in growth of informal SMEs as those laid off seek alternative means for a living. In summary, the labour market currently does not create enough formal employment and green jobs opportunities.

Project symbol

ZWE/17/01/SWE

Admin unit

CO-Harare

Start date

01/12/2017

End date

30/06/2021

Total allocation

2867379

Total expenditure

Status

Closed

2866192

Development Partners

Sweden, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency

Country/Countries

Zimbabwe

Outcomes

Outcome 4: Sustainable enterprises as generators of employment and promoters of innovation and decent work