The Centre for Humanity and Sustainable Development (CHUSDE) is a community-based organisation in Malawi dedicated to empowering young people and communities through sustainable development initiatives. The organisation works across climate action, youth empowerment, health and skills development, promoting inclusive participation, innovation and locally driven solutions to global challenges.
Through the SYNAPSE Project, CHUSDE contributes its expertise in community engagement, youth leadership and sustainable development while strengthening intercultural collaboration and systems thinking across Africa and Europe.
Vernasio Phwandaphwanda – Project Lead
Vernasio Phwandaphwanda is a development practitioner and youth leader with extensive experience in project management, research and organisational capacity strengthening. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Water Resources Management and Development from Mzuzu University, Malawi, and has successfully led several European Union-funded and community-based initiatives focusing on climate change adaptation, food security and youth empowerment.
As CHUSDE’s lead representative in the SYNAPSE Project, Vernasio provides strategic leadership for the implementation of project activities, ensuring alignment with project objectives, monitoring progress and strengthening collaboration with consortium partners. He is passionate about sustainability, youth inclusion and intercultural dialogue, and actively contributes to regional and international development networks.
Pemphero Kaponda – Project Administration and Community Development Officer
Pemphero Kaponda is a project administration and community development professional with a Diploma in Nutrition and Food Security. She has extensive experience supporting youth development, health and community-based programmes through effective project coordination, stakeholder engagement and capacity-building initiatives.
Within the SYNAPSE Project, Pemphero supports the implementation of community-based activities, coordinates participant mobilisation, facilitates stakeholder communication and contributes to project documentation and reporting. She plays an important role in ensuring the meaningful participation of young people throughout the project.
Tione Mathews Chisale Phwandaphwanda – Environmental Scientist and Project Management Specialist
Tione Mathews Chisale Phwandaphwanda is an Environmental Scientist and Project Management Specialist with more than eleven years of professional experience in sustainable development, climate resilience and community engagement. He holds a Master’s Degree in Project Management and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science.
Within the SYNAPSE Project, Tione provides technical expertise in the design and implementation of project activities, supports monitoring and evaluation processes, and contributes to environmental sustainability considerations, knowledge sharing and quality assurance across project interventions.
When asked why the SYNAPSE Project is important to the institution, their response was:
“The SYNAPSE Project aligns closely with CHUSDE‘s mission to empower young people through education, leadership and sustainable development. By connecting young people, educators and facilitators across Africa and Europe, the project creates valuable opportunities for intercultural learning, collaboration and the exchange of knowledge and experience.
The project strengthens our commitment to developing critical thinking, systems thinking and leadership competences while equipping young people with the knowledge and skills needed to address complex community challenges, particularly in the areas of climate change, sustainable development and social innovation. SYNAPSE also reinforces CHUSDE’s role in promoting inclusive participation and contributing to sustainable, community-driven solutions that create lasting impact.”