Empowering young people to grow a sustainable future

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Malawi_FFL

In Malawi, Scouts are leading a grassroots transformation through the Plant, Grow, Share and Sustain – Food for Life (FFL) project. The initiative is empowering youth to combat food insecurity, promote sustainable agriculture, and strengthen community resilience.

Launched in March 2025 , the project trained 37 Scout leaders in sustainable agriculture and agripreneurship. These newly skilled leaders cascaded their knowledge to over 400 young people and community members, helping them establish productive gardens and community plots that demonstrate the power of sustainable farming practices.  Each garden tells a story of transformation, from barren land to thriving green spaces that produce vegetables, herbs, and fruits. Scouts are learning not only how to grow food but how to sustain livelihoods through agribusiness and cooperative models.  
Malawi_FFL
Scouting has given me an opportunity to learn about food production from planting and harvesting to managing a garden, I’ve gained skills on how to start small businesses like selling our produce. This has improved my family’s food security and helped me contribute to my community’s development.
Esther Makula
A young Scout from Malawi
Malawi_ FFL

Two community gardens and a model training garden have been established and are already producing food, with over 1,000 kilograms of sustainable produce harvested in the first six months. The gardens have become spaces for hands-on learning, inclusion, and shared purpose,  reaching 3,500 community members and 150 homes, including vulnerable groups such as orphans, people living with albinism, and those with disabilities. Local leaders have also joined in, pledging land, water, and logistical support to sustain the initiative. The project’s visibility through social media and open days has further strengthened the movement, inspiring more young people to join Scouting across Malawi.
With the support I got from Food for Life, I was able to buy garden equipment and now have a well-organised garden that provides food for my family and generates income
Luciano Kabwabwa
Scout leader and beneficiary
Malawi FFL

Beyond the garden gates, the FFL initiative extends beyond food production. It integrates environmental conservation, entrepreneurship, and community empowerment,  aligning directly with SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger), 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action)

Going forward,  the focus will be on sustaining and scaling up youth-led agribusinesses through continued mentorship and capacity building. The gardens established in communities have evolved into vibrant centres of enterprise and learning, symbols of resilience and hope. Through the Food for Life project, Malawi’s journey toward food security and sustainable livelihoods continues to grow stronger.
Sustainable development