Strengthening Civil Society in Zambia: A Challenging Landscape for Democratic Engagement

In the three decades since Zambia's return to multi-party democracy in 1991, civil society organisations have operated within a complex and often constraining environment. According to the 2022 USAID Civil Society Organization Sustainability Index, Zambian CSOs function in a "partially constrained" environment, where their efforts to promote good governance and social accountability face significant institutional barriers.

These constraints manifest in multiple dimensions. Research from the University of Zambia's Institute of Economic and Social Research highlights how limited financial resources and operational capacity restrict CSOs' ability to fulfill their potential as development actors. Meanwhile, the 2022 CIVICUS Monitor report classifies Zambia's civic space as "obstructed," pointing to challenges in freedom of assembly, expression, and organisational autonomy that limit civil society's effectiveness.

The 2021 peaceful transition of power following general elections created what University of Zambia scholar Sishuwa Sishuwa describes as "a potentially transformative moment for civic engagement," yet one that is simultaneously exposed the fragility of democratic institutions. This political context presents both opportunities and challenges for civil society strengthening initiatives.

The LEAD Project: A Responsive Approach to Civil Society Strengthening

Recognising these challenges, People in Need (PIN), in partnership with the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR), launched the Local Empowerment and Development - Civil Society (LEAD) project. This 36-month initiative, supported by the European Union, aims to strengthen Zambian civil society organisations' engagement as actors of good governance and development across five provinces.

During his recent visit to Zambia, Jan Mrkvicka, PIN's Relief and Development Department Director, participated in Organizational Capacity Assessment sessions: 

What distinguishes LEAD from conventional capacity-building efforts is its comprehensive Theory of Change, which addresses the multifaceted challenges facing Zambian civil society through:

• Strengthening internal governance and organisational management systems

• Enhancing technical capacities in policy development, advocacy, and social accountability

• Improving cooperation among CSOs and with political actors

• Prioritising women, youth, and marginalised group CSOs

The OCAT Methodology: Building from Within

At the core of the LEAD project's implementation strategy is the Organizational Capacity Assessment Tool (OCAT), a structured framework enabling organisations to evaluate their internal capacities across multiple dimensions. Unlike externally imposed assessments, OCAT empowers CSOs to lead their own developmental journey.

Each participating organisation receives approximately three days of facilitation from experts from PIN, JCTR, and external consultants. This process is deliberately inclusive, involving diverse stakeholders—particularly the communities the CSOs serve—to ensure that resulting strategies genuinely reflect local needs and priorities.

Namonje Izukanji, PIN Capacity Development Officer, emphasizes this collaborative approach: 

Early Impacts: Transformation in Action

Although still in its early stages, the LEAD project is already demonstrating positive impacts among participating organisations. The OCAT process has enabled CSOs to identify specific capacity gaps and develop targeted improvement strategies.

For some organizations, the benefits extend beyond internal capacity enhancement to strategic planning. Moses Mubita, project officer for Zambian Association on Employment for Persons with Disabilities (ZAEPD) from Lusaka province, reflects: 

As these CSOs strengthen their internal systems, they are better positioned to fulfill their monitoring role in key national initiatives, including:

• Implementation of the 8th National Development Plan

• Zambia's Vision 2030

• Key government programmes including the Constituency Development Fund, Farmer Input Support Programme, and Social Cash Transfer Programme

Looking Forward: A Vision for Sustainable Civil Society Impact

As the LEAD project progresses, it represents a critical intervention in strengthening Zambia's democratic ecosystem, empowering local civil society to drive meaningful, sustainable change. By combining PIN's global expertise in civil society development with JCTR's deep understanding of the local context, the project creates a unique partnership model that can adapt to Zambia's complex civil society landscape.

The project's alignment with the EU CSO Roadmap for Zambia and contribution to Sustainable Development Goals 1, 5, 10, and 16 positions it within broader global development frameworks while maintaining its focus on local ownership and contextual relevance.

The journey from civil society constraints to empowered CSOs capable of influencing policy and promoting accountability illustrates the transformative potential of well-designed capacity development initiatives. As participating organizations continue to implement their capacity improvement plans, their collective impact on governance, human rights, and development in Zambia promises to grow—creating ripple effects that extend far beyond the project's formal boundaries.

The project is funded by the European Union.