Creating Inclusive Green Livelihoods Through Skills Development, Innovation and Market Access
Women-Led Circular Economy Hubs for Climate-Resilient Livelihoods – “Turning Waste into Wealth, One Woman at a Time”
Creating Inclusive Green Livelihoods Through Skills Development, Innovation and Market Access
Implementation Period
2026-2027
Funders
Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI)
Implementing Partners
Women Unlimited Eswatini
Stakeholders and Collaborating Partner
Eswatini Environment Authority
Goal of The Project
To establish and strengthen community-based circular economy hubs that equip vulnerable women and youth with the skills, equipment and market linkages to convert waste into income.
Target Beneficiaries
150 vulnerable women and youth
Target Communities
Mpolonjeni (Mbabane (Hhohho Region) Matsapha (Manzini Region) Siphofaneni (Lubombo Region)
Project Activities
- Mbabane (Hhohho Region): Restore and repair the glass crusher; set up plastic shredding; train women and youth to produce glass-reinforced ecobricks with link to construction and retail markets.
- Matsapha (Manzini Region): Establish a Bokashi composting system; train women and youth in organic waste composting and sales; supply farmers and gardeners.
- Siphofaneni (Lubombo Region): Train vulnerable women in waste-to-craft production; provide toolkits; link crafts to markets
- Across All Hubs: Peer learning exchanges, digital sales training, community clean-ups and ongoing monitoring and documentation.
Summary Results
- 50 women and youth trained in circular economy skills across three hubs.
- 2,000+ glass-reinforced eco-bricks produced in Mbabane.
- Three metric tons of Bokashi compost produced in Matsapha.
- 200+ craft items produced in Siphofaneni.
- Three community clean-up campaigns completed (one per hub).
- 90 women linked to formal markets in construction, agriculture, and tourism.
- Three community-based circular economy hubs operational and self-sustaining.
Impact
- Over 100 women and youth have sustained income-generating activities from waste-to-wealth enterprises.
- Three community-based circular economy hubs are operational and self-sustaining.
- Reduced environmental pollution from plastic, glass, and organic waste.
- Women-led cooperatives are linked to formal markets in construction, agriculture, and tourism.
- Enhanced community capacity for waste management and circular economy practices.Eswa
