EU and Zimbabwe Strengthen Environmental Cooperation

By Everisto Zhuwao

The Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Honourable Evelyn Ndlovu, met with the European Union Ambassador, Katrin Hagemann, in Harare on Monday to strengthen strategic cooperation on environmental protection and climate change.

The meeting, which included Permanent Secretary Mr Simon Masanga, focused on scaling up existing projects to benefit local communities and the economy.

“This partnership reflects a shared vision for a resilient Zimbabwe. The European Union currently supports several major initiatives in Zimbabwe through its Global Gateway Strategy and the NaturAfrica Programme,” Minister Ndlovu said.

A key component of this partnership is a €26 million investment aimed at protecting biodiversity and building resilience through the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund. The funding helps rural communities adapt to changing weather patterns while preserving the country’s natural resources.

Regional conservation also remains a priority. The delegation highlighted a €2.8 million project dedicated to the Chimanimani Transfrontier Conservation Area, which Zimbabwe shares with Mozambique. The initiative seeks to protect wildlife and forests across borders while creating opportunities for sustainable tourism and research.

Beyond conservation, the dialogue also focused on the transition to clean energy and modern farming methods. The EU is supporting climate-smart agriculture to improve food security, while also expanding renewable energy projects in remote communities.

“Modernising energy and farming is a matter of national security,” Ndlovu explained.

Minister Ndlovu and Ambassador Hagemann emphasised that these programmes follow a community-centred approach. By involving local people in the stewardship of their land, the cooperation ensures that Zimbabweans directly manage and benefit from their environment.

“Nature is best protected by the people who live alongside it,” the Minister concluded.

The ongoing partnership aims to create a balance in which both nature and communities thrive through green governance and sustainable development.