About CEEC
Who We are
The Centre for Environmental Education and Communication (CEEC) is a dedicated centre for advancing knowledge, awareness, and action toward sustainability.
CEEC is uniquely positioned as a Behaviour Change Communication-driven institution, recognizing that sustainable environmental outcomes depend not only on knowledge, but on human attitudes, choices, and behaviours.
Through innovative education, Behaviour Change Communication, strategic communication, research, and community engagement, CEEC empowers individuals, organizations, and policymakers to address environmental challenges and drive measurable, lasting change.
Our Belief
CEEC believes that education and Behaviour Change Communication are powerful drivers of sustainability.
While knowledge is essential, lasting environmental progress requires; shifts in attitudes, transformation of social norms and adoption of sustainable behaviours
Through collaboration, innovation, and outreach, CEEC fosters a culture of environmental responsibility and sustainable living for generations to come.
Together, we can build a future where sustainability is not just understood, but a way of life.
Malawi’s Environmental Context
Malawi faces multiple interlinked environmental challenges that threaten ecosystems, livelihoods, and development:
- Deforestation and forest degradation driven by unsustainable charcoal production, agricultural expansion, and weak forest governance. This leads to soil erosion, reduces rainfall reliability, accelerates loss of biodiversity, and disrupts ecosystem services critical for food security and rural livelihoods.
- Solid waste management challenges, particularly in urban areas where poor collection and disposal systems result in indiscriminate dumping. Cities and municipalities struggle with growing volumes of plastic, hazardous, and e-waste, which pollute water sources, degrade habitats, and pose health risks to communities.
- Pollution of rivers, lakes, and air from industrial effluents, poor sanitation, vehicle emissions, and excessive agrochemical use, threatening aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity, fisheries, and human health.
- Human-wildlife conflicts in communities near protected areas, where crop destruction, livestock loss, and safety risks undermine conservation efforts and fuel negative attitudes towards wildlife.
- Climate change impacts, manifested through frequent floods, droughts, and cyclones, exacerbate poverty, displacement, food insecurity, and stress on ecosystems.
- Threats to biodiversity and ecosystems, as forests, wetlands, and aquatic systems face degradation from habitat loss, overexploitation, and invasive species, eroding Malawi’s natural heritage and tourism potential.
- Energy conservation challenges, as dependence on biomass energy especially charcoal and firewood; drives deforestation, accelerates greenhouse gas emissions, and underscores the urgent need for clean, affordable, and sustainable energy alternatives.
While government and development partners are investing in technical solutions, many environmental challenges persist due to behavioural, cultural, and communication barriers.
Knowledge does not always translate into action.
A critical gap remains in Behaviour Change Communication and environmental literacy capable of transforming attitudes, influencing decision-making, and mobilizing collective action at scale.
CEEC’s Unique Response
CEEC is strategically designed to address Malawi’s environmental challenges through a Behaviour Change Communication-centred approach.
1. Behaviour Change Communication
CEEC moves beyond traditional awareness models by:
- Applying behavioural science frameworks
- Targeting attitudes, norms, and decision drivers
- Designing communication for behaviour adoption
- Measuring behavioural outcomes
CEEC recognizes that environmental sustainability challenges are fundamentally behavioural challenges.
2. Linking Science to Behaviour
Translating research into:
- Accessible knowledge
- Behaviourally relevant messaging
- Policy-informed action
3. Going Beyond Traditional Environmental Education
Using:
- Digital storytelling
- Eco-dramas & edutainment
- Podcasts & multimedia
- Gamified learning tools
to drive engagement AND behaviour change.
4. Targeting High-Impact Behavioural Domains
Including:
- Waste management practices
- Sustainable energy use
- Forest conservation behaviours
- Climate adaptation actions
- Biodiversity stewardship
5. Embedding Indigenous Knowledge
Integrating traditional ecological practices that already influence:
- Resource conservation
- Sustainable livelihoods
- Community norms
Strategic Statement
CEEC is a Behaviour Change Communication-driven institution transforming environmental awareness into measurable, sustained behavioural outcomes.
Core Values
Sustainability
Promoting long-term environmental well-being through education and action.
Integrity
Ensuring transparency, accountability, and ethical behavior in all operations.
Innovation
Encouraging creative and forward-thinking solutions for sustainability challenges.
Collaboration
Engaging with government, private sector, academia, and civil society for a collective impact.
Inclusivity
Ensuring all voices, especially marginalized communities, are represented in environmental decision-making.
Awareness
Spreading knowledge to inspire and facilitate sustainable behavior change.
Vision
To create a world where sustainability is embedded in everyday life through education, behaviour change communication, and community engagement.
Mission
To empower individuals, communities, and organizations through education, Behaviour Change Communication, research, and strategic communication, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to address environmental challenges and advance sustainable development.