Business Details
I am a development researcher and social impact leader passionate about advancing gender equality and climate resilience in Zambia. As a Research Fellow at Impact Center, my role required me to engage in policy-oriented research, particularly focusing on child marriage and gender disparities in education. This experience sharpened my ability to analyze complex social challenges and contribute evidence to inform public policy.
Building on this foundation, I founded the Envision Foundation, which addresses the pressing impacts of climate change on rural communities. The organization is dedicated to promoting sustainable practices and resilience-building initiatives that safeguard livelihoods while fostering inclusive development.
Project/Capstone:
For my capstone project, I authored an article titled “Zambia at a Crossroads: Why Tackling Deforestation is Key to Our Climate Future.” The project examined deforestation as a major driver of Zambia’s worsening climate crisis, with the country losing over 300,000 hectares of forest annually. My research highlighted how unsustainable land-use practices - particularly tobacco farming, charcoal production, mining, and rapid urbanization - are eroding ecological resilience, threatening food security, and deepening rural poverty.
The article also explored practical pathways to mitigation, including scaling renewable energy alternatives such as solar and biomass cookstoves, advancing regenerative agriculture, and strengthening land-use planning. Drawing lessons from countries like Malawi, Rwanda, and Botswana, I emphasized the urgency of integrating green development policies and sustainable practices into Zambia’s climate strategy. This capstone reflects my broader commitment to climate change research and policy advocacy for a more resilient and sustainable future.
Future Goals/Next Steps
Future Goals/Next Steps
After the mentorship, I plan to apply the knowledge acquired by drawing lessons from innovative approaches in renewable energy, waste management, agriculture, and smart cities. In my research, this will strengthen my ability to generate evidence-based insights on how these solutions can be adapted to address child marriage and gender inequality, particularly by showing how sustainable livelihoods and better resource management reduce vulnerability among rural families.
For Envision Foundation, these lessons will guide the design of community programs that integrate clean energy alternatives, regenerative agricultural practices, and sustainable urban planning. By aligning climate action with social development, the foundation will be better positioned to advocate for policies that promote both gender equality and climate resilience. Ultimately, I aim to merge global best practices with local realities, ensuring that research and practice work hand in hand to create long-term impact for Zambia’s most vulnerable communities.
Zambia
Madalitso Mtonga