Environmental Sustainability

In a significant step toward advancing youth development and rural transformation, ChildFund and AgriPredict have entered a strategic partnership that bridges innovation, agriculture, and community growth. The two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Lusaka, formalizing a collaboration that seeks to equip young people with digital and entrepreneurial skills, promote smart agriculture, and strengthen community livelihoods.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, the ChildFund Country Director, Victor Koyi described the partnership as “an important milestone in our collective efforts to transform the lives of young people and rural communities across Zambia.”

“This Memorandum of Understanding represents a shared vision to advance youth potential, strengthen livelihoods, and build communities that are resilient in the face of economic and environmental challenges,” the Country Director said.

The partnership outlines a 12-month framework that will focus on creating opportunities in agriculture, digital innovation, and financial inclusion, particularly targeting young people in Lusaka, Eastern, and Central Provinces.

ChildFund  brings decades of experience in child and youth development, strengthening household resilience, promoting child protection, and expanding access to education and livelihoods. AgriPredict, a Zambian agritech company, complements this approach through its technology-driven solutions for farmers, including real-time weather updates, pest and disease monitoring, market access platforms, and early warning systems.

Together, the two organizations aim to create a powerful synergy between community development and digital transformation, ensuring that young people are not only supported but equipped to lead productive and meaningful lives.

Focus Areas

Under the MoU, ChildFund  and AgriPredict will collaborate in several key areas:

• Youth Livelihood Development: Identifying and equipping young people with skills in entrepreneurship, employability, and financial literacy through ChildFund’s network of local partners.
• Smart Agriculture: Leveraging AgriPredict’s technology platforms to help young farmers access markets, monitor weather patterns, and adopt environmentally sustainable farming practices.
• Capacity Strengthening: Building technical know-how and systems within both organizations to deliver high-quality, impactful programs.
• Joint Advocacy: Using their combined voices to promote inclusive youth participation in agriculture and policy spaces, while pushing for greater investments that benefit rural communities.

Expected impact

Through this collaboration, ChildFund and AgriPredict expect to achieve tangible results, including:

• Increased access to livelihood and income opportunities for young people in rural and peri-urban areas.
• Improved agricultural productivity and food security through the use of digital tools and data-driven decision-making.
• Strengthened collaboration between the development and technology sectors, demonstrating the power of cross-sector partnerships.
• Enhanced advocacy and visibility for youth issues, especially in smart agriculture, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion.

Building for the Future

Although the MoU establishes a one-year framework, both organizations view it as the foundation for a long-term collaboration that will evolve with experience and emerging opportunities.

“Both ChildFund and AgriPredict remain independent organizations, but through this partnership, we are choosing to amplify each other’s strengths for greater impact,” said Victor, “When we unite innovation with compassion, technology with community, and purpose with partnership, we can create pathways for young people to build better, more sustainable futures.”