THE Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) has partnered non-profit organisation Uncommon to launch a digital innovation hub in Gwayi, Hwange district.
Speaking during a media tour hosted by PDC on Saturday, communications and marketing manager Ronnie Sibanda highlighted the importance of linking community benefits directly to wildlife protection initiatives.
“Having this innovation hub in Gwayi will empower youths with digital competencies and keep them meaningfully engaged, reducing the temptation to turn to illegal wildlife activities,” he said.
The hub, he added, will provide a variety of technological training programmes that can lead to formal employment and entrepreneurship both locally and beyond.
“The hub will equip young people with skills that open doors to formal jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities, not just here in Gwayi, but across the country and beyond,” Sibanda said.
Uncommon representative Nkosilathi Moyo said the Gwayi hub aimed to equip rural youth with coding, digital marketing and tech skills, creating pathways to sustainable livelihoods and reducing reliance on illegal activities like poaching.
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“Our goal is to give young people in Gwayi the tools to build careers in technology and entrepreneurship, showing them that innovation can be as rewarding as any other path,” he said.
Moyo said the collaboration demonstrated how technology and conservation could intersect to create sustainable development.