Integrated Innovations for Sustainable Development: Empowering Vulnerable Communities in Kaskazini Unguja and Kaskazini Pemba, Zanzibar Joint Programme (ZJP)

This development cooperation project contributes to the implementation of the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) commitments under the Food Systems Transformation and Ending Violence Against Women and Children outcomes of the Zanzibar Joint Programme (ZJP). The project targets impoverished communities living in low-lying areas of North Unguja and North Pemba—home to approximately 28% of Zanzibar’s population—who primarily depend on the blue economy for their livelihoods, food, and income. The project promotes decent work, inclusive economic growth, increased household incomes, and reduced inequalities by supporting climate-sensitive and systemic approaches to enhance production and productivity across key value chains. Priority is given to food crops such as cassava, banana, and legumes, as well as seaweed and mariculture. Interventions further address negative social norms and discriminatory practices by strengthening community-based mechanisms for preventing violence against women and children, particularly in workplace settings. Innovative partnerships with grassroots and civil society organizations are leveraged to advance community engagement, promote decent work in the care economy, and enhance resilience among vulnerable groups. The project focuses on strengthening the capacities of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) and small-scale agricultural producers, with a specific emphasis on women and youth, to increase sustainable income opportunities through value chain development, skills training, and improved access to productive resources and markets. Operating within a context of high poverty, food insecurity, limited access to services, and environmental vulnerability, the project addresses structural barriers such as gender discrimination, unpaid care work, hazardous child labour, and exclusion from the formal economy. It responds to Zanzibar’s high unemployment and inactivity rates, especially among young women, and the pressing need for labour-market relevant skills development. In alignment with national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this initiative supports inclusive and climate-resilient economic development. It aims to contribute to systemic change by creating decent work opportunities, enhancing food security, promoting gender equality, and supporting social cohesion across Zanzibar’s most vulnerable communities.

Project symbol

TZA/25/51/UND

Admin unit

CO-Dar es Salaam

Start date

05/02/2025

End date

30/06/2027

Total allocation

393700

Total expenditure

Status

Active

222621

Development Partners

Multi Partner Trust Fund Office, UNDP

Country/Countries

United Republic of Tanzania

Outcomes

Outcome 3: Full and productive employment for just transitions
Outcome 5: Gender equality and equality of treatment and opportunities for all
Outcome 4: Sustainable enterprises for inclusive growth and decent work
Outcome 6: Protection at work for all