Climate Action Zambia Project #66091

Give Solar Power to Luanshya Youth Center

by LUANSHYA INFORMATION AND LEARNING CENTER

Project Report | Dec 5, 2025
Solar Installation Factsheet

By Theresa Lungu | Executive Director

We do not have any project updates at this time. We would like this project to be deactivated as we are having challenges fundraising for the solar installation.

Non-profit organizations in Zambia face significant challenges fundraising for solar installations, primarily due to high upfront costs and limited access to diverse donor funding.

Key challenges include:

High Upfront Costs: Despite solar technology becoming more affordable globally, the initial capital required for procurement and installation is still prohibitive for most local non-profits and the communities they serve.
Limited and Volatile Donor Funding: Non-profits often struggle with the unpredictable nature of donor priorities, intense competition for limited funds, and a reduction in financing from some major international partners. Donors often prefer short-term, project-mode initiatives rather than long-term, holistic planning, which complicates efforts to secure sustainable funding for infrastructure.
Weak Financing Options: Local financial institutions often lack the structure and confidence to provide affordable debt or innovative financing models (like pay-as-you-go for large installations) for renewable energy projects, especially for non-profits with limited balance sheets.
Policy and Regulatory Gaps: Inadequate or rapidly shifting government policy frameworks and incentives create an unpredictable environment for long-term investment, deterring potential funders.
Lack of Impact Evidence: Many donors require robust evidence of a project's impact, which small non-profits like ours may lack the resources or expertise to collect and present effectively.
Economic Instability: Fluctuations in the Zambian Kwacha against major foreign currencies can devalue secured funds, making project implementation more expensive and long-term planning difficult.

Attachments:

Solar_Applications_Information_Sheet_Global_Giving.docx (DOCX)

1 Attachment

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Aug 7, 2025
CENTRALIZING YOUTH ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES

By Theresa Lungu | Executive Director

PROPOSAL SUMMARY

What if every Copperbelt youth—regardless of their economic background, could access real opportunities at the tap of a button? This is the question we have been pondering at the Luanshya Information and Learning Center since its inception. That is why we have created Ikatika – Get Connected!, a mobile app that curates and delivers up-to-date, verified entrepreneurship and business opportunities to youth in Luanshya and the entire Copperbelt. The app is tailored for Zambia’s digital realities: light on data, available in ChiBemba and designed with both urban and rural users in mind. The app is aptly designed with scalability and sustainability in mind. The user can filter by age, location, and interests—making the app deeply personal and relevant. The App will provide access to a database of opportunities, personalized recommendations based on youth interests and skills, mentorship and support services. Our goal is to drive change in youths’ broader life trajectory: Increased entrepreneurship and business development and ultimately improved economic stability, enhanced community involvement, and successful transitions to adulthood.

INTRODUCTION TO THE ORGANIZATION

The Luanshya Information and Learning Center (LINC)is a Zambian registered non-profit organization based on the Copperbelt. The Center was founded in 2023 by Theresa Lungu, through a personal grant from the Ella Lyman Cabot Trust of Boston, Massachusetts. Theresa grew up in Luanshya and is a strong advocate of youth development, having come from an underprivileged family herself. Before founding the center, she was actively supporting Luanshya Library, that houses the center, with book donations and strove to innovate when the library started losing readership. The Center has deep community engagement and trust, proven impact, and a commitment to youth empowerment. The Center’s goal is to equip Luanshya’s youth in the 16–25-year age group, with essential skills and resources for a successful transition to higher education, employment, or entrepreneurship and to create opportunities for learning, support literacy and education, and help shape new ideas and perspectives that are central to a creative and innovative community. The center, the first of its kind on the Copperbelt, is a growing community hub with free computer access that leverages digital equity to empower young people in Luanshya through access to technology and skills development opportunities. Since its founding, the Luanshya Information and Learning Center, has reached over 1,000 young people through our college and employment readiness workshops.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

“Youth unemployment in Zambia is over eighty percent and much higher in provinces outside Lusaka. Opportunities exist—but they are scattered, inaccessible, or simply unknown to most young people. There’s no single platform where Zambian youth can easily discover, apply for, and benefit from programs. Zambia’s youth population is surging — digitally connected, resourceful, and ready to lead. But the opportunity gap remains wide, and traditional systems aren’t keeping pace. This disconnect is costing potential and we need to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity.

An example of this disconnect is the case for Luanshya. Luanshya’s Roan Antelope mine is considered Zambia’s first modern commercial copper mine commissioned in 1909. To compliment the mining, the Zambia Metal Fabricators, (ZAMEFA) company was established in Luanshya in 1968. ZAMEFA was a key player in the manufacturing sector, producing copper products that included low-voltage cables, flexible wires, aerial bundle conductors, and aluminum overhead conductors. Essentially, for over 100 years Luanshya has robustly contributed to the economy of Zambia and yet still lacks in the most basic development such as specialized healthcare or youth recreational facilities. Closed since 2008, the Luanshya copper mine is scheduled to reopen later in 2025. There is exciting anticipation in the town at the prospect of jobs. Unemployed youth that we surveyed at the Center don’t know how to apply for the prospective jobs at the mine nor do they know how to go about doing business with the mines as contractors. This information is not advertised anywhere in Luanshya and there are increasing instances of unscrupulous people taking money from youth with promises of jobs.

PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTS

We are looking at long term outcomes such aschanges in youth's broader life trajectory; increased entrepreneurship and business development, improved economic stability, enhanced community involvement and overall successful transitions into adulthood.

Our goal is to have Ikatika deliver opportunities in:

Entrepreneurship and business development: with information on business loans, grants, community development funds, mentorship and accelerator programs.
Employment: job boards and internships
Education: scholarships, skills training, bursaries.
Life Skills: mental health access, civic engagement, and more.

PROJECT ACTIVITIES

All of the Center’s activities take place in a Wi-Fi enabled, welcoming space that gives participants the resources and encouragement to imagine bigger futures. Hands-On Training and Demonstration Workshops on how to use the Ikatika app will be provided as follows:

App Exploration: Demonstration on how to download and install the app and a walk through of the app's interface, explaining how to navigate and use its features.

Practical Application: Show youth how to use the app to find relevant opportunities.

Skill-Building: Guide youth in using app features to improve their job search and business development skills. For instance, teach them how to connect to community development funds or obtain micro loans to start and register business.

Sharing and Learning from Peers: Create and foster a learning environment where youth can share their experiences with using the Ikatika app, learning from each other.

Emphasize Safety and Digital Literacy:

o Online Safety: Teach youth about online safety and responsible app usage, including privacy settings, passwords, and avoiding scams.

o Digital Literacy: Equip youth with the skills to critically evaluate online information and avoid misinformation.

o Cyberbullying Prevention: Teach youth about cyberbullying and how to report and prevent it.

PROJECT METHODS AND DESIGN:

While most apps in Africa focus on one vertical—jobs, or school—Ikatika brings it all together. It’s tailored for Zambia’s digital realities: light on data, available in multiple languages, and designed with both urban and rural users in mind.”

Logic Model:

Inputs: Funding for app development, staff time for content creation, partnerships with local businesses, both private and government organization.

Activities: Actions the app facilitates or provides.

Providing access to a database of opportunities, personalized recommendations based on youth interests and skills, mentorship or support services, online workshops and training

Outputs: Direct services from the activities.

Number of app users, number of opportunities accessed, number of youth engaged in online activities, number of referrals to support services.

Short-term Outcomes: Observable changes in youth knowledge, skills, or attitudes.

Increased awareness of available opportunities, improved self-efficacy, enhanced entrepreneurship readiness, increased access to resources.

Intermediate Outcomes: Changes in behavior or engagement.

Increased application for opportunities, participation in online learning or workshops, seeking help with job searching or resume writing, networking with peers or mentors.

Long-term Outcomes: Changes in youth's broader life trajectory.

Increased entrepreneurship and business development and ultimately improved economic stability, enhanced community involvement, and successful transitions to adulthood.

Key Considerations:

Engagement: Ensure the app is user-friendly and engaging for the target youth population.

Reach: Strategically promote the app to reach the intended audience.

Data: Collect and analyze data on app usage and outcomes to inform improvements.

Collaboration: Build strong partnerships with community organizations to support youth.

Sustainability: Develop a plan for long-term funding and support.

Proposed App Development Timeline: Location: Digital, Virtual

Research and Planning (2-3 weeks): This involves defining the app's purpose, target audience, and market analysis. (Completed)
Design and Prototyping (5-7 weeks): Creating wireframes, mockups, and user interface/user experience (UI/UX) designs.
App Development (3-6 months): This includes coding, backend development, and integrating with third-party services.
Testing and Quality Assurance (2-3 weeks): Ensuring the app is free of bugs and meets quality standards.
Deployment and Launch (2-4 weeks initial, then ongoing): Submitting the app to the app stores and post-launch updates.
Post-launch Maintenance and Updates: Ongoing updates, bug fixes, and feature enhancements.

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Apr 10, 2025
ACCELERATING DIGITAL EQUITY

By Margaret Evans & Oscar Mwauluka Mubila | Advisory Board Members

Zambia’s youth are full of potential — but too many are disconnected from the opportunities that could change their lives.

That’s why the Luanshya Information & Learning Center is developing IKATIKA!, (local language word for Get Connected) a mobile app that will connect young people to scholarships, internships, entrepreneurship, training, funding calls, mental health support, and more.

This is a powerful idea to bring to ife because we believe this is a game-changing tool — built for Zambian youth, grounded in community, and designed for real impact.

Zambia has one of the youngest populations in Africa – vibrant, ambitious, and hungry
for opportunities. But despite their potential, too many young people are disconnected
from the very tools and networks that could transform their futures.

Enter Ikatika – a smart, scalable mobile platform built for the Zambian youth, by those
who believe in their power to drive change.
Whether you are a school leaver looking for scholarships, a market vendor hoping to
formalize your business, or a young creative seeking mentorship, Ikatika connects you
to real opportunities – educational programs, funding calls, internships,
entrepreneurship training, mental health support, and more

Why now? Because youth unemployment is rising, digital connectivity is growing, and
traditional systems aren’t moving fast enough.

Why us? Because we’re rooted in the community and backed by a passionate team at
the Luanshya Information and Learning Centre, with a track record of impact and a clear
vision for the future.

Why you? As a developer or investor, you’ll be part of a purpose-driven tech revolution
— one that blends social impact with scalable growth. The monetisation roadmap
includes institutional subscriptions, advertising, and premium features, ensuring
sustainability from day one.

Let’s bridge the gap between potential and opportunity.
Let’s build Ikatika.

Additionally ....

New Year and Lots of Buzz at the Center! We are excited to share that the restrooms at the center finally received a much needed facelift sponsored by Center board members and siblings, Irene Elizabeth Petrou and George Michael Konstantapolous.

Center founder, Theresa Lungu, was also in town to facilitate her popular college application workshop for school leavers. Incredible networking and conversations abounded. Theresa believes that closing Luanshya’s information gap is the first step to better economic outcomes for Youth.

The artwork painted by Namasiku silumesi, the industrious and talented Ndola based nursing student, is now on display at the Center. Luanshya Innovates and is accelerating digital equity in Zambia!!

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