EU INVESTS €268,000 IN ZAMBIAN CIVIL SOCIETY TO STRENGTHEN CITIZEN PARTICIPATION

By Alain Kabinda

The European Union (EU), through the People in Need-led Local Empowerment and Development Civil Society (LEADs) Programme, has invested more than €268,000 (approximately K6.1 million) in civil society organisations in Zambia to strengthen citizen participation, research, advocacy and accountability.

Speaking during the grant award ceremony, People in Need Country Director Ms. Stefania Lagonigro  said the initiative was aimed at empowering civil society organisations to take an active role in addressing community challenges and contributing to Zambia's economic development and transformation.

Ms Lagonigro said that this programme recognised that meaningful and sustainable development could not be achieved through institutions alone, but required active citizens and organised communities.

The LEADs Programme, implemented with support from the European Union and in partnership with the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR), seeks to strengthen local organisations through research, advocacy, citizen engagement and accountability initiatives.

She also said that the programme was designed to go beyond traditional capacity-building by giving organisations opportunities to implement ideas, generate evidence, influence policies and engage both citizens and public institutions.

"What excites me most is not the amount of funding, but what this funding makes possible," Ms. Lagonigro said.

The grants are expected to support research capable of informing national policies, promote joint initiatives involving civil society organisations, Government, the private sector and the media, and strengthen networks and collaboration among local actors.

Ms. Lagonigro added that civil society organisations played an important role in amplifying community voices, engaging decision-makers and holding institutions accountable while working with them to achieve development outcomes.

This initiative also recognises civil society organisations and communities as important actors in Zambia's economic development and transformation, including contributing to the implementation of the Grow Zambia Agenda.

She further expressed appreciation to the Government, through the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, for recognising the importance of working with civil society to deliver meaningful change in communities.

And speaking at the same FSTP Grant award ceremony,Ministry of Community Development and Social Protection Acting Director Mr. Aaron Phiri  representing Minster Ms Beatrice Chilomo said the initiative would help address challenges faced by civil society organisations, including limited access to information, inadequate opportunities for constructive dialogue and capacity-building programmes that are often project-based and one-size-fits-all.

Ms. Chilomo said government recognised that sustainable development could not be achieved by government alone but required partnerships with non-governmental organisations, the private sector, development partners and communities.

“Policies and programmes can only deliver for the people they are meant to serve if we ensure that communities and civil society are involved and engaged in their design, not only during implementation,” Ms. Chilomo said.

The project will support organisations through three funding themes: research grants, consortium grants and organisation-specific support for policy engagement and advocacy.

Ms. Chilomo also urged grant recipients to use the resources to generate credible evidence, build partnerships and engage government constructively to improve programme delivery.

“Evidence is the foundation of good policy. Your research and policy analysis will help government understand what is working, what is not, and who is left behind,” the Ms. Chiolom said.

The initiative comes as Zambia concludes the Eighth National Development Plan and prepares the Ninth National Development Plan, with government seeking the participation of communities, civil society organisations, the private sector and cooperating partners in shaping national priorities.

Ms. Chilomo added that stronger and better-coordinated civil society organisations would make public participation in national development planning more meaningful.

The project also aligns with the European Union's Civil Society and Development Programme for Zambia, which recognises civil society as a strategic partner in promoting sustainable development.

Government has committed to maintaining an enabling environment for civil society organisations, strengthening consultations and dialogue, and considering evidence and recommendations generated through the project when designing and reviewing policies and programmes.

She further called on development partners to continue providing mentorship and follow-up support to grant recipients to ensure that lessons from the initiative inform policy-making and wider civil society engagement.

Civil society organisations were also encouraged to use the grants responsibly, promote transparency and accountability, and ensure that the voices of women, young people and marginalised communities are reflected in decisions affecting their welfare.

Meanwhile European Union Team Leader for Governance , Social Sectors and critical Raw Materials Ms. Maria Horno Comet said the initiative had already strengthened the management, advocacy and social accountability capacities of 31 civil society organisations and local networks.

Ms. Comet said the latest grant awards would enable selected organisations to undertake activities across different thematic areas, while strengthening the voices of women, young people, persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups.

“Civil society is an indispensable partner in enhancing democratic values. It makes essential contributions to accountability, transparency, justice and citizen participation,” Ms. Comet said.

She also said that the organisations had been selected through a competitive, open and transparent process, urging them to implement their projects with integrity, inclusiveness and accountability.

She further encouraged the beneficiaries to build partnerships, networks and consortiums to increase their impact and strengthen collective advocacy.

The funding forms part of the EU's broader support for civil society in Zambia, covering governance, access to justice, climate change, biodiversity, gender equality, women's and children's rights, and disability inclusion.

Among the beneficiaries recognised for their development leadership were the National Action for Quality Education in Zambia (NAQEZ), which received three awards, and the Continental Leadership Research Institute (CLRI), which received one award.

And receiving an award on behalf NAQEZ was Mr. Aaron Chansa and CLRI was Mr. Edward Moode.

The recognition reflects the contribution of civil society organisations to advancing development through research, advocacy, policy engagement and community-focused initiatives.

This investment initiative programme seeks to strengthen the meaningful participation of local communities and civil society in development, policy reform, accountability, transparency and inclusion.