Meet the SUSTAIN Champions
Across Tanzania and Mozambique, a new generation of young professionals are stepping forward with innovative, community-driven approaches to tackling water challenges and building climate resilience. Their work reflects a powerful shift toward locally rooted solutions that respond directly to the needs and realities of the communities they serve. We are delighted to introduce the winners of the SUSTAIN Champion Awards. This recognition honours these inspiring changemakers, bringing their efforts into the spotlight and highlighting the critical role they play in shaping a more resilient future.
“Winning the SUSTAIN Champions Award gave me the opportunity to turn a school science fair prototype into a real project that helps farmers adapt to climate change. It allowed me to develop technology that speaks the language my community understands best and proved that young innovators from Tanzania can lead meaningful climate action” – Bashiru Hamisi-Mazingira Sentinel
Bashiru’s automated irrigation support system uses soil moisture sensors to send real-time watering instructions directly to farmers via SMS to help smallholder farmers reduce water waste, lower irrigation costs, and protect their crops from the effects of unpredictable rainfall caused by climate change.
“This award represents the recognition of the power of youth-led solutions built together with communities. Through this project, we are demonstrating that it is possible to protect ecosystems, strengthen climate resilience, and improve the livelihoods of rural families. May this initiative inspire other communities to become guardians of their natural resources.” – Cleusia Cardina
Cléusia is helping restore 100 meters of degraded riverbanks in Chizombero Chimoio district using a low-cost “Living Staircase” bioengineering system, combined with rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation for 10 families.
“This award empowers local youth to lead change. It inspires continued efforts to scale climate-smart solutions across Tanzanian communities.” – Cuthbert James Magembe
Cuthbert is empowering local youth through a farmer centred model that transforms organic waste into high quality compost, reducing dependency on chemical fertilisers.
“This award supports me in delivering a nature-based solution that protects clean water, stores carbon, improves water quality, and creates habitats for rare species, while safeguarding communities from floods and droughts, enhancing livelihoods, and driving lasting positive change for a stronger future”. – Elika Mwanyika
Elika is leading the Wetland Restoration for Climatic Resilience project which brings back damaged wetlands by fixing water flow, planting native plants, and teaching local farmers better ways to use the land.
"The SUSTAIN Champion Award enables me to transform my passion for conservation into tangible actions that protect our water resources from the threats of erosion and climate change. This project matters because it proves that when youth are given the tools to implement nature-based solutions, we can create long-term environmental stability and economic security for our communities. " – Grace Dastan
Grace employs youth-led nature-based solutions to restore degraded riparian zones and address severe riverbank erosion in the Kilombero landscape.
“This support enables me to turn a youth-led idea into a practical solution that strengthens climate resilience in vulnerable rural communities. Through this project, young people will gain hands-on skills while building systems that improve food production under water-scarce conditions. This work matters because it shows that youth innovation can directly contribute to climate adaptation and sustainable livelihoods at the community level.” – Ivaldo Fumo
Ivaldo’s project establishes youth-led hydroponic food production systems integrated with water storage in rural Mozambique.
“I believe that access to water is the foundation for resilient and thriving communities. Through this award, I can help empower families in Ndenguene to better manage their water resources using simple and smart solutions. This work matters because it builds local capacity to face climate challenges and create lasting change”. – Jéssica Carlos
Jéssica’s community smart cisterns supports rainwater harvesting and simple water monitoring systems to improve water access and management.
“The SUSTAIN Champion Award empowers me, as a primary school teacher, to turn environmental education into daily action, transforming children into true guardians of water and climate. This project matters because when we educate a child to value a drop of water, we plant a seed of resilience that grows throughout an entire community, from the classroom to the riverbanks” – Joyceline da Zola Agostinho
Joyceline designed a hands‑on environmental education model in Chimoio, Mozambique, equipping 180 students with practical knowledge on water conservation, climate adaptation, and nature‑based solutions.
“Winning this award enables us to unlock the kapok value chain across SUSTAIN landscapes, protecting forest cover while turning an underutilised forest fruit into regenerative income for communities. It’s a win for rural communities, our forests and the future of sustainable materials.” – Maliehaa Sumar
Maliehaa is unlocking the Kapok Collective‘s value chain to protect forest ecosystems while creating regenerative and community-driven income opportunities.
“Winning this SUSTAIN Champion award provides timely support for my early-stage initiative, which seeks to foster Climate Action through Eco-friendly Briquettes Production and Agroecology. The initiative promotes integrated agroecological practices that restore soil fertility and diversify livelihoods. This award is crucial in supporting the efforts to reduce deforestation pressure on the natural forests of Kasulu.” – Michael Deogratius
Michael is transforming agricultural and carpentry waste into clean cooking briquettes, as well as progressing agroecology to reduce deforestation pressure and diversify rural livelihoods.
“This award enables my team and me to turn sunflower and soybean waste into biochar, restoring soil health and improving water retention in our communities. It empowers women and youth to lead sustainable, climate-smart solutions that strengthen livelihoods and build resilience. This work matters because it transforms waste into opportunity and secures a climate-smart future for smallholder farmers in Ihemi” – Nyamtondo Mgonya
Nyamtondo is turning waste into value as part of a youth-and-women-led initiative in the Ihemi landscape that converts sunflower and soybean residues into biochar to restore soil fertility, retain water, and strengthen climate resilience.
This article is part of the SUSTAIN Stories campaign, which is celebrating the ongoing successes of SUSTAIN across its three pathways and the individuals and communities that make it possible. The SUSTAIN initiative is supported through the generous contributions of Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
