What We Do

Challenges We Address

Communities in the Midlands Province face multiple environmental challenges that threaten ecosystems, livelihoods, and long-term sustainability. Midlands Conservation and Sustainability Initiative works to address these interconnected challenges through community-driven and evidence-based interventions.

The key challenges we address include:

Biodiversity Loss

The decline of plant and animal species due to habitat destruction, unsustainable land use, and extractive activities.

Ecosystems Degradation

The degradation of forests, wetlands, rivers, and soils resulting from pollution, deforestation, and poor land management practices.

Water and Land Pollution

Pollution caused by mining activities, agricultural runoff, and improper waste disposal, which negatively affects human health and ecosystems.

Environmental Injustice

Violations of people’s environmental rights, particularly in communities affected by harmful economic activities and weak environmental governance.

Our Thematic Focus

Livelihoods

Our livelihoods support aims to facilitate income generation, acquisition of assets, and skills necessary for a sustained decent life in the face of shocks and stresses, through sustainable means. MCSI promotes environmentally responsible livelihoods that enhance resilience while safeguarding natural resources.

Climate Resilience

Our climate resilience support aims to ensure effective adaptation to climate change and to strengthen people’s ability to withstand the various forms it manifests through. We work with communities to reduce vulnerability and build adaptive capacity in the face of climate variability and extreme weather events.

Environmental Governance

Our environmental governance support seeks to introduce mechanisms and strengthen existing structures for increased participation of communities in protecting, defending, and ensuring sustainable use of the environment. We promote accountability, transparency, and inclusive decision-making.

Environmental Justice

Our environmental justice support aims to address the violations of people’s environmental rights resulting from economic activities. We work to amplify community voices, promote fairness, and seek redress where environmental harm affects livelihoods and well-being.

Our Approach

Dialogue

As an independent and apolitical organization, we facilitate sincere, genuine, and constructive dialogue that promotes mutual understanding and encourages deliberate and responsible actions. Dialogue is central to fostering peaceful coexistence, social justice, and sustainable environmental outcomes.

Research

We conduct ground-breaking, high-quality research in the areas of environment, conservation, and sustainability across our areas of operation. Our research informs policy engagement and supports meaningful, evidence-based advocacy.

Advocacy

We believe advocacy is one effective way of shaping policy, bringing issues to the attention of authorities, and seeking solutions to long-standing environmental problems. We commit to ethical and respectful advocacy for issues of common interest related to the environment and climate.

Capacity Building and Training

We build the capacities of communities not only to cope with and adapt to climate change, but also to avoid exacerbating environmental degradation through their actions. Our training initiatives promote environmental consciousness and good environmental stewardship.

Ecosystems Restoration

With a significant portion of ecosystems already degraded, we engage in ecosystems restoration activities using practical, scientifically proven methods to reverse environmental damage and its associated effects.

MCSI aligns its work with national environmental and development frameworks, including:
National Aspirations and Goals
  • Section 73 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe
  • National Development Strategy (NDS 2)
  • National Adaptation Plan
Our work also contributes to global environmental and sustainability commitments, including:
Global Aspirations and Goals
  • Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
  • Sustainable Development Goals 3, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, and 15
  • United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

Get Involved in Our Work

Protecting the environment and promoting sustainability requires collective action. Whether you are a community member, development partner, researcher, or advocate, your involvement can contribute to meaningful and lasting impact.

Join Midlands Conservation and Sustainability Initiative in advancing environmental protection, strengthening climate resilience, and promoting environmental justice across the Midlands Province and beyond.