UNDP/GEFSGF Monitoring and Evaluation visit
Date: 17 February 2022
The Provision of clean renewable energy for domestic use and piggery for sustainable livelihoods project is a project that Tag a Life International is implementing in Hurungwe Ward 7 Bravo village funded by GEF Small Grants Programmes under UNDP. The overall project consists of the setting up of a biogas plant called the Water Jacket-overflow system with the capacity to produce 80m3 of biogas and pig houses in Bravo village in Ward 7, Hurungwe District. This project is meant to offer alternative and renewable energy that can be used for household use and reduce, if not remove, the daily task of fuelwood gathering, which can, in areas of scarcity, be the single most time-consuming task for especially women, taking more than three hours in some instances in a given day. Freeing up energy and time for women in such circumstances often allows them to have time for other activities, some of which may be income generating, and more so the use of firewood that has caused massive deforestation. The project also encompasses the setting up of a pigsty as a way of promoting young women and girl’s economic empowerment in Bravo community as well as training them on climate change, sustainable development, women’s rights and the use of biogas as a means of clean energy that addresses climate change related challenges.
On the 17th of February 2022 the project funders GEF Small Grants Programmes under UNDP, Hurungwe RDC and TaLI officials visited the project site for monitoring and evaluation. The GEF team had Mrs Wutawunashe (National Coordinator), Mr Luckson Chapungu (Programmes Assistant) and Ms Cassandra Kadenha (Technical Advisory Group Member). Ms Cassandra was also representing the Ministry of Energy and Power Development. Before visiting the site, they did a courtesy call to the Hurungwe RDC in Magunje. During the courtesy call TaLI explained the project progress and the funders (GEF under UNDP) also had the opportunity to explain on their thematic areas. The courtesy call was concluded with the Hurungwe RDC acknowledging the work that TaLI was doing and expressing their support to the development. They also appeal for more projects that reduce climate change in Hurungwe.
The team then proceed to the project site, Bravo village, where they met the beneficiaries of the project. The beneficiaries, GEF team, TaLI team and Hurungwe RDC (Ministry of Women Affairs, Environment Management Agency-EMA, Forestry Commission, the Chief, local Councillors, Police, village head) had a tour on the project site. The tour was led by Mrs Tembo the project chairperson. They were an assessment of a borehole on the site on whether it can sustain both the villagers (household and livestock use) and the biogas digester (cleaning and feeding pigs and feeding the digester). It was brought to everyone’s attention that there is a dam nearby that can also sustain the project.
The community orchard that was established is progressing and the beneficiaries have been of great help in maintaining them. Out of all the planted fruit trees only 9 dried up and the reason is being investigated. The pigsty construction is now 95% complete in preparation of the piggery production. The biogas foundation is now complete and building of the foundation is now in progress. All building materials are now on site. The bio gas consultant was asked questions on the construction and operation of the bio gas.
The beneficiaries had the opportunity to learn about the GEF thematic areas (biodiversity, climate change, land degradation, emissions and water lands). A light was shed on the project proposal and budget. The beneficiaries were urged to work hard to make the project a success as it is a pilot project. The Hurungwe District Development Council urged men in the community to also contribute to the development as it will benefit the whole community. More workshops were recommended to sensitize the community on climate change issues. Projects like processing of piggery stock feeds and raising of tree nurseries were suggested to sustain the project even after the funding period.