Rural Enterprise Trust of Zimbabwe - RETZ

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Rural Enterprise Trust of Zimbabwe - RETZ RETZ seeks to develop & build economic agency amongst rural communities through innovative smallholder commodity commercialization for rural transformation

This a platform for information sharing and public discourse on agro-business, rural entrepreneurship, and sustainable rural development issues.

🌱 From Words to Action: Emily Returns to the Green Safe Space💬 “I did not come here to see only but to also do.”Today, E...
03/10/2026

🌱 From Words to Action: Emily Returns to the Green Safe Space

💬 “I did not come here to see only but to also do.”

Today, Emily from Denmark, put those words into action, returning to the RETZ Green Safe Space in Domboshava to join local young people in weeding, harvesting crops and spending time together. 🤝🥬

Her return captured the spirit of the Co-Creating Green Safe Spaces youth exchange: learning through participation, building relationships and contributing to the spaces that bring communities together.

Through shared conversations and hands-on work, the exchange continues to grow beyond the scheduled programme. Every contribution helps nurture both the garden and the connections formed around it. 🌍💚

Thank you, Emily, and team, for showing what it means to learn, share and grow together!


DUF - Dansk Ungdoms Fællesråd@followers Søholm 4H intlSustainable Rural Community Development Organisation (surcod) - MalawiEuropean CommissionErasmus+ Asociación Las Niñas del Tul

03/10/2026

🌿 Seeing Nature, Understanding Its Balance! 🌍

For Daniel Gismera Casasola, visiting the RETZ Green Safe Space in Domboshava was a chance to appreciate nature and how different living things contribute to a balanced ecosystem. 🌱🐝

Our volunteer Webster Makombe caught up with him during the visit to capture his experience and reflections.

▶️ Watch as Daniel shares what made the visit special for him!

🌍🌱 7 Days, Multiple Countries, One Shared VisionDay 2: From Parliament to the Farm—Connecting Policy with PracticeCo-Cre...
03/10/2026

🌍🌱 7 Days, Multiple Countries, One Shared Vision
Day 2: From Parliament to the Farm—Connecting Policy with Practice
Co-Creating Green Safe Spaces | Zimbabwe Youth Exchange

Day 2 took our learning beyond the exchange venue as young people representing Zimbabwe, Malawi, Denmark and Spain visited the Parliament of Zimbabwe, explored a local agroecology farm and spent time discovering Harare. 🏛️🌿🏙️

Convened by the Rural Enterprise Trust of Zimbabwe - RETZ in partnership with Søholm 4H intl Asociación Las Niñas del Tul Sustainable Rural Community Development Organisation (surcod) - Malawi, the day connected public decision-making, sustainable food production and everyday community life.

🏛️ Inside Parliament: Understanding how decisions are made
Participants toured the National Assembly and Senate, learning about their roles, the composition of Parliament, how laws are made and the requirements for becoming a Member of Parliament.

They also asked questions about youth participation and social inclusion, considering how young people can engage with institutions that shape their communities.

🗣️ Taking the floor
Through a mock parliamentary debate, participants stepped into the role of lawmakers to discuss whether cities should build and protect green safe spaces to help young people cope with extreme heat and climate change.

The exercise encouraged participants to present arguments, listen to different perspectives and connect environmental concerns with public policy.

🌿 At the farm: Exploring practical climate action
The agroecology farm visit brought our learning closer to the soil. Participants explored sustainable farming practices and the relationships between healthy ecosystems, food production and community well-being.

The visit provided a practical setting to consider how green safe spaces can support learning, livelihoods and sustainable food systems.

🔗 From policy to practice
Across the two visits, a shared question emerged: How can young people help shape decisions that support greener, safer and more inclusive communities?

Parliament offered insight into how laws are made, while the farm brought sustainable food production into focus. Together, these experiences connected youth participation with practical action in our communities.

🏙️ Discovering Harare
The day concluded with time to explore and shop in Harare, offering participants a chance to experience the city and continue building friendships across cultures.

💬 Voices from the exchange
One participant shared that, although the security checks at Parliament initially felt daunting, the friendly and informative staff made the visit enjoyable. Sitting in the chambers where laws are debated was a particular highlight.

💚 Day 2 connected the places where decisions are debated with the spaces where sustainability is put into practice—encouraging young people to see their role in both.

🇪🇺 Co-funded by the European Commission through Erasmus+ and the DUF - Dansk Ungdoms Fællesråd.



Tawanda Allen Mandevhana Frederik Kaae Kirk Daniel Gismera Casasola Julia Zaitseva-Kirk Allan Chitedze Carrie Kendall EU Delegation to Zimbabwe ActionAid Zimbabwe

03/10/2026

🇲🇼🌱 Malawi Voices from Domboshava!

A visit, a conversation and a chance to hear directly from the young people. 💬🌍

Our volunteer Webster Makombe caught up with the Malawi team during their visit to the RETZ Green Safe Space in Domboshava, capturing their experiences, feedback and reflections as part of the Co-Creating Green Safe Spaces Zimbabwe Youth Exchange.

▶️ Watch the video to hear what stood out for them!

The exchange brought together young people representing 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe, 🇲🇼 Malawi, 🇩🇰 Denmark and 🇪🇸 Spain through a partnership between Rural Enterprise Trust of Zimbabwe - RETZ, Sustainable Rural Community Development Organisation (surcod) - MalawiAsociación Las Niñas del Tul Søholm 4H intl

🤝 Co-funded by the European Commission through Erasmus+ and the DUF - Dansk Ungdoms Fællesråd.

🌍🌱 7 Days, Multiple Countries, One Shared VisionDay 1: Building Connections and Finding Common GroundCo-Creating Green S...
03/10/2026

🌍🌱 7 Days, Multiple Countries, One Shared Vision
Day 1: Building Connections and Finding Common Ground
Co-Creating Green Safe Spaces | Zimbabwe Youth Exchange

Day 1 brought young people representing Zimbabwe, Malawi, Denmark and Spain together to get to know one another, build trust and shape our shared learning space. 🤝💚

Convened by the Rural Enterprise Trust of Zimbabwe - RETZ in partnership with Søholm 4H intl Asociación Las Niñas del TulSustainable Rural Community Development Organisation (surcod) - Malawi, the day focused on connection, shared values and the purpose of our partnership.

🏡 Welcome and orientation
RETZ Vice Board Chairperson Fadzayi Caroline Mupembe welcomed participants as we settled into the venue and began our learning journey. Over breakfast, participants reconnected with familiar faces and welcomed new ones. A morning check-in gave everyone space to share how they were feeling before exploring the venue.

🛡️ Safeguarding, inclusion and well-being
With Tatenda T Madziro, our Youth Coordinator, participants explored how to create an environment where everyone feels safe, respected and comfortable taking part.

🌳 Our values, our learning space
Participatory exercises helped us explore freedom, responsibility and shared values. Through a tree exercise, participants connected these values to their expectations and learning goals, taking an active role in shaping the exchange.

The question “Who participates, and who gets left behind?” deepened the discussion, encouraging us to examine the barriers that can prevent people from getting involved.

🌍 Getting to know our partners
Partner introductions opened a window into each organisation’s work. We also reflected on the partnership journey and our shared commitment to co-creating green safe spaces with young people.

🧩 Building trust through teamwork
Partner-led activities encouraged communication, cooperation, creativity and shared leadership. Participants practised listening, solving challenges together and making room for different ideas. An ecological garden simulation provided an opportunity to practise group decision-making. The day also included learning about climate adaptation, mitigation and resilience.

💬 Voices from the exchange
Reflecting on Day 1, the Spanish team 🇪🇸 highlighted the connections being built across cultures and the common goals emerging through the activities. They looked forward to putting their learning into practice throughout the exchange and in future projects.

💚 Our first step towards co-creating green safe spaces was building relationships and a learning community where everyone could contribute. 🌱

🇪🇺 Co-funded by the European Commission through Erasmus+and the DUF - Dansk Ungdoms Fællesråd

🌍 Voices from the Exchange | Co-Creating Green Safe Spaces | Zimbabwe Youth ExchangeThe CGSS Youth Exchange grew my comm...
03/10/2026

🌍 Voices from the Exchange | Co-Creating Green Safe Spaces | Zimbabwe Youth Exchange

The CGSS Youth Exchange grew my communication, teamwork, leadership, and confidence. 🤝✨

I learned about climate action, green safe spaces, inclusion, and youth participation, plus practical skills in sustainable companion planting. 🌱🌾

Connecting with youth from Malawi, Zimbabwe, Denmark, and Spain taught me to embrace diversity and co-create greener, more inclusive communities. 🌍💚

— Succeed



🌍 Voices from the Exchange | Co-Creating Green Safe Spaces | Zimbabwe Youth ExchangeThe CGSS Youth Exchange has helped m...
01/10/2026

🌍 Voices from the Exchange | Co-Creating Green Safe Spaces | Zimbabwe Youth Exchange

The CGSS Youth Exchange has helped me grow in my communication, teamwork, leadership, and confidence. I gained a better understanding of climate action, green safe spaces, inclusion, gender equality, and youth participation. I also learned practical ways of creating sustainable gardens, including how to plant different crops intentionally so that they can support each other and improve their growth. This helped me understand that gardening can be planned in a way that makes better use of natural resources and creates healthier ecosystems. 🌱🌾

Beyond the knowledge and skills, I gained new perspectives by interacting with young people from Malawi, Zimbabwe, Denmark, and Spain. I learned how to listen to different ideas, adapt to new environments, work with people from different backgrounds, and communicate even when we may not share the same experiences. 🤝🌍 The exchange also strengthened my confidence through the opportunity to facilitate an activity and take part in discussions. Overall, I gained knowledge, friendships, practical skills, and a stronger understanding of how young people can work together to create greener, safer, and more inclusive communities. 💚

— Ellen

🌍 Voices from the Exchange | Co-Creating Green Safe Spaces | Zimbabwe Youth ExchangeI have always looked forward to visi...
01/10/2026

🌍 Voices from the Exchange | Co-Creating Green Safe Spaces | Zimbabwe Youth Exchange

I have always looked forward to visiting Zimbabwe, and through Sustainable Rural Community Development Organisation (surcod) - Malawi as one of the partners for this youth exchange, gave me the perfect opportunity to finally experience the country while connecting and learning with young people from different countries. 🇿🇼🌍

Taking part in the “Environment and Sustainability” exchange under the theme “Co-Creating Green Safe Spaces” was an amazing experience. I had the chance to share experiences from Malawi, learn from others, and discover the similarities in the challenges young people face across our communities.

One of the highlights was visiting the Zimbabwe Parliament, where we learned about youth participation in government, including the Junior Parliament initiative.

We also visited the Rural Enterprise Trust of Zimbabwe - RETZ community garden in Domboshava, which was another great experience. Seeing young people and community members coming together, working as a team, and turning ideas about sustainability into something practical was inspiring. 🌱🤝

Beyond the activities, I really enjoyed the conversations around youth participation, gender equality, social inclusion, the environment, and creating safe spaces for young people.

I’m returning to Malawi with new knowledge, ideas, and experiences that I hope to share with other young people and communities. This experience reminded me that positive change can start with something as simple as creating a safe space where young people can come together, learn, and take action.

Grateful for the experience and looking forward to more opportunities like this! 🙌🌍

Clifton

🌍 Voices from the Exchange | Co-Creating Green Safe Spaces | Zimbabwe Youth ExchangeThis exchange has taught me that cre...
30/09/2026

🌍 Voices from the Exchange | Co-Creating Green Safe Spaces | Zimbabwe Youth Exchange

This exchange has taught me that creating climate resilient communities requires meaningful youth participation. 🌱🤝 The exchange program focused on bringing young leaders together to co-design and implement youth-led green spaces.

I have been enlightened to integrating agroecological principles, environmental advocacy, and community leadership. 🌾📣 This initiative enables young people like me to lead practical solutions that address local environmental and social challenges. 💚

— Lyn

🌍 Voices from the ExchangeCo-Creating Green Safe Spaces | Zimbabwe Youth ExchangeFor me, this experience has been truly ...
30/09/2026

🌍 Voices from the Exchange
Co-Creating Green Safe Spaces | Zimbabwe Youth Exchange

For me, this experience has been truly incredible. ✨

From the very beginning, everyone has made us feel extremely welcome. Both within the group and during the activities where we joined as outsiders, people received us with openness, kindness and genuine interest. Thanks to all the attention, involvement and participation, I have really felt at home. 🤗

The program itself had a very incredible activities, and the place was perfect for the experience.

The activities have also taught us a lot about Green Safe Spaces, which I believe is a very important topic to explore. We approached it from many different perspectives through visits, presentations, discussions and a wide variety of activities. 🌱

One of the most valuable parts was having the opportunity to hear the different perspectives of the participants and learn about the realities they experience in their own communities and environments. It made us realise that, although our realities are very different, we also share many of the same challenges and concerns. 🌍🤝

Overall, it has been a very enriching experience, both personally and in terms of everything we have learned and shared together. 💚

— Gael


Asociación Las Niñas del TulSustainable Rural Community Development Organisation (surcod) - MalawiDUF - Dansk Ungdoms FællesrådSøholm 4H intlEuropean CommissionEU Delegation to Zimbabwe

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6 Valiant Road, Ridgeview
Harare

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