Mwanawevhu Culture 4ED Seeks Funding to Expand Youth Empowerment Programmes
MWANAWEVHU Culture 4ED Trust is seeking funding to expand its cultural and skills development programmes into marginalised communities across Zimbabwe, Vice Chairperson Duncan Shereni said on Tuesday.
The trust runs training programmes in music, drama, poetry, craftwork and sport for youths, war veterans and young women. It says increased financial support is needed to reach districts with limited access to arts training and economic empowerment opportunities.
“We have requests from Binga, Muzarabani, Hurungwe, Chipinge and Beitbridge,” Shereni said. “Young people there want to learn beadwork, mbira, drama and agro-processing. But we lack transport, equipment and trainer allowances.”
Mwanawevhu currently operates in Harare, Masvingo, Gweru, Bulawayo and Chinhoyi. Its flagship Cookout event held in Masvingo earlier this year attracted about 1,000 participants and generated US$12,000 in direct sales for smallholder farmers, according to organisers.
Chairperson Ashleigh Zingoni said expanding into rural districts comes with higher operational costs due to distance and limited infrastructure.
“In Harare we can use a community hall. In Binga we may need tents, generators and transport for trainers. That is why we are appealing for partners,” she said.
The trust is targeting US$150,000 to roll out programmes to six new districts by December 2027. The funds would support mobile training kits, including sewing machines, mbira and marimba instruments, weaving looms and agro-processing equipment.
It would also cover allowances for 20 trainers, the establishment of district cultural hubs, and transport through a 20-seater bus to move equipment and facilitators between locations.
Since 2024, Mwanawevhu says it has trained more than 1,200 youths. Craft groups formed under the programme are now supplying lodges in Harare and Victoria Falls, while a youth drama group in Darwendale has performed anti-drug awareness plays in 14 schools.
Chinese investor Yuan Yuan has reportedly earmarked 11 products from Mwanawevhu hubs, including madora chilli oil and marula jam, for export development.
The initiative operates under the 4ED model, which stands for Economic Development and aligns with youth empowerment programmes under Vision 2030.
Zingoni said all funds will be transparently accounted for. “We are engaging corporates, NGOs and diaspora Zimbabweans. Culture is cheap to start but expensive to scale. We need help to cross that line,” she said.
The Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation had not yet responded to inquiries on possible government support at the time of publication.
