WUSC: From Forest Dependency to Financial Independence: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future

For years, women near the Mulanje Mountain Biosphere Reserve relied on firewood collection to sustain their families, contributing to deforestation and economic vulnerability. With support from WUSC’s Partner Innovation Fund (PIF), the Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust (MMCT) launched Kindling the Enterprising Spirit, a program helping 200 women build sustainable businesses in beekeeping, climate-resilient farming, and fruit tree nurseries.

Participants also received climate shock resilience training, learning to grow kitchen gardens and woodlots to reduce dependence on forest resources. Initially, some women faced resistance at home, but as they began generating income, community attitudes shifted. MMCT also improved local roads, helping women transport goods—an investment that benefits the entire community.

Since launching, the program has trained 194 women, fostering greater economic independence and gender inclusion. With WUSC volunteer support, MMCT strengthened its monitoring and evaluation systems to track impact. By combining women’s empowerment with conservation, the initiative ensures that both people and nature can thrive together.

“My work as a GIS Advisor with WUSC is helping to uplift women and youth in Malawi by empowering them with knowledge and tools to better understand and address the challenges they face. For example, through GIS mapping I have been able to mentor women in skills like using GPS which helps in building their confidence and emphasizes the value of their voices in decision making processes.”

– Ambe, WUSC Malawi Volunteer, GIS Advisor at MMCT.