The Government of Zambia, through the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, is rolling out the Transforming Landscapes for Resilience and Development Phase II, known as TRALARD II, in five provinces with support from the World Bank. The project will run from 2026 to 2030 and aims to strengthen livelihood resilience while improving the management of natural resources across Zambia’s Miombo ecoregion. Sinazongwe District is among the areas set to benefit from the programme, with interventions designed to address environmental degradation, climate pressures and economic challenges affecting local communities. The initiative combines environmental restoration with livelihood development so that communities can benefit from natural resources while protecting them for future generations. Through this approach, TRALARD II is expected to create opportunities for households to improve their incomes, strengthen food security and build greater resilience to climate-related challenges.
In Sinazongwe, two priority landscapes have been identified for the implementation of the project, namely Sikaneka and Zeze Hills. These landscapes will receive attention through activities aimed at restoring degraded forests and improving the sustainable use of natural resources. The programme will also promote climate-smart agriculture, sustainable livestock production, fisheries and beekeeping as part of its livelihood support. Renewable energy enterprises and value addition for locally produced goods will provide further opportunities for communities to generate income and create sustainable businesses. Women and young people will receive particular attention under the programme, with women expected to account for 50 percent of beneficiaries while youth are targeted to make up 30 percent.
The focus on women and youth is significant because the success of rural development programmes often depends on creating meaningful economic opportunities for groups that play important roles in household production and community economies. TRALARD II is expected to provide opportunities for women to participate more actively in cooperatives, income-generating activities and value addition initiatives. Young people will also have opportunities to engage in green enterprises, agriculture, renewable energy and other activities linked to sustainable natural resource management. These interventions can help diversify household income while creating employment opportunities within local communities. By placing women and youth at the centre of the programme, Sinazongwe can strengthen local participation and build a broader base of beneficiaries from the investment.
Water development is another important component of the TRALARD II programme in Sinazongwe District. Planned interventions include watershed and catchment protection, small-scale irrigation initiatives and rainwater harvesting to improve access to water for communities and productive activities. These measures can help farmers manage periods of unreliable rainfall while supporting agricultural production and food security. Community water governance will also be encouraged so that local residents play an active role in protecting and managing water resources. Strengthening water management alongside environmental restoration can help communities respond more effectively to climate variability while protecting critical water sources.
The project will also use cooperatives as a key mechanism for empowering communities and improving their participation in local economic development. Cooperatives can help producers access markets, negotiate better prices and increase the value of products before they reach consumers. They can also create employment opportunities, particularly for women and young people who want to participate in local enterprises. Through savings and investment activities, cooperative members can build stronger financial capacity and reinvest in businesses that support household and community development. Greater participation in cooperatives can therefore help communities move beyond individual livelihood activities and develop stronger collective economic structures.
The implementation of TRALARD II in Sinazongwe will require close cooperation between local authorities, traditional leaders, community organisations and residents. During a review and planning meeting, Sinazongwe Town Council Council Secretary Ms Choolwe Maunga and District Operations Officer Mr. Katungu Mwendaendi discussed the importance of working closely with communities to ensure that project activities are successfully implemented. The district’s approach places emphasis on collaboration, transparency and practical engagement with cooperatives, clubs and community groups. This hands-on approach is intended to ensure that the programme responds to the needs of local households rather than operating separately from communities. Effective communication and accountability will also be important in building trust and ensuring that the intended beneficiaries understand the opportunities and responsibilities associated with the project.
Traditional leadership is also expected to play an important role in supporting the implementation of TRALARD II in Sinazongwe. Royal Highnesses Senior Chief Mweemba and Chieftainess Sinazongwe have already been updated on the objectives of the project, ensuring that traditional leadership is aware of the planned interventions. Their involvement can help strengthen communication between implementing institutions and communities within the affected areas. Traditional leaders can also support community mobilisation and encourage residents to participate in activities focused on environmental protection and sustainable livelihoods. Continued engagement with traditional leadership will therefore be important as the project moves from planning into wider implementation across the identified landscapes.
The expected outcomes of TRALARD II extend beyond individual livelihood projects because the programme is designed to address both environmental and economic challenges. Improved household incomes and food security are among the key expected benefits for communities in Sinazongwe. At the environmental level, the project aims to reduce land degradation and deforestation while strengthening climate resilience and biodiversity conservation. The development of green jobs and sustainable enterprises is expected to create new economic opportunities for women and youth. These outcomes are closely connected, as healthier landscapes can support productive livelihoods while stronger household economies can give communities greater capacity to participate in sustainable environmental management.
The restoration of forests and improved management of natural resources will be particularly important in the Miombo ecoregion, where communities depend on land, forests, water and other natural resources for their livelihoods. Unsustainable land use, deforestation and climate pressures can reduce the ability of these resources to support communities over time. TRALARD II seeks to address these challenges by combining conservation measures with practical economic opportunities. Activities such as beekeeping, sustainable agriculture, fisheries, livestock production and value addition can provide alternatives that reduce pressure on natural resources while generating income. The success of these interventions will depend on sustained community participation, effective local leadership and transparent implementation throughout the 2026 to 2030 project period.
For Sinazongwe District, the TRALARD II project represents an opportunity to link environmental protection with practical improvements in household livelihoods. The identification of Sikaneka and Zeze Hills as priority landscapes provides a clear focus for restoration and sustainable development activities. Support for water development, climate-smart agriculture, cooperatives, renewable energy enterprises and local value addition could help communities respond to both economic and environmental pressures. The emphasis on women and youth also provides an opportunity to expand participation in green economic activities and create new sources of employment. With continued cooperation between government institutions, local authorities, traditional leadership and community groups, the project can establish a stronger foundation for sustainable development across Sinazongwe.
As Zambia begins implementing TRALARD II from 2026 to 2030, Sinazongwe is positioned to benefit from a programme that places climate resilience, environmental protection and community empowerment at the centre of development. The involvement of the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, the World Bank, local authorities and traditional leadership provides a framework for coordinated implementation. The focus on household incomes, food security, biodiversity, water security and green enterprises gives the project relevance to both present community needs and long-term environmental sustainability. Strong participation from cooperatives, clubs, community groups, women and young people will be essential to turning the programme’s objectives into measurable improvements on the ground. With effective leadership, transparency and sustained community engagement, TRALARD II has the potential to position Sinazongwe as a model for climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods and community-driven development in Zambia.