Zambia: Civil Society & Inclusive Governance
We support civil society to play a key role in social, economic, and democratic development in our target countries. We provide opportunities for civil society actors to develop the technical skills and mechanisms to become more effective governance and development actors.
We support civil society to engage with government actors to advance participatory democratic processes and develop inclusive public services. Specifically, our work targets a range of civil society actors, including youth and those representing marginalised communities, to ensure that government policies and services represent their needs. In parallel, we promote active citizenship, empowering individuals to exercise their rights, engage in democratic processes, and hold government officials accountable.
Our main areas of focus:
- Empowerment of Civil Society Actors: Locally-driven, adaptive approaches to support the organisational and technical development of civil society, including civil society organisations, informal civic groups and grassroots activists. In our civil society development programming, we coordinate and—wherever possible—share expertise with our Center for Human Rights and Democracy.
- Inclusive Governance of Public Services: Participatory development and monitoring public services, including Social Services, Education, Water, Sanitation and Public Health.
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Past aid programmes
Let´s build a School in Africa
With the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo asylum seekers are leaving their homes and searching for safety in Zambia. As a result of the unstable political situation and deprivation of basic services, such as food and health care, millions of Congolese are on the move. Most people from DRC live in refugee settlements in Meheba (North-Western Province), Mantapala (Luapula Province), and Mayukwayukwa (Western Province).
In cooperation with the Zambian Ministry of Education, People in Need rehabilitated four schools in the Meheba refugee settlement, giving hundreds of students better access to education and thus a means of combating poverty and unemployment in future.
Thanks to the project, the walls and roofs of the school blocks were repaired including new classrooms, offices and toilets, including hand-washing stations. The classrooms were equipped with desks, tables, benches, chairs, and whiteboards to meet basic standards and students’ needs. Students also received new educational materials. The Parent Teacher Association was actively involved in discussions and construction work.
In cooperation with the Zambian Ministry of Education, People in Need rehabilitated four schools in the Meheba refugee settlement, giving hundreds of students better access to education and thus a means of combating poverty and unemployment in future.
Thanks to the project, the walls and roofs of the school blocks were repaired including new classrooms, offices and toilets, including hand-washing stations. The classrooms were equipped with desks, tables, benches, chairs, and whiteboards to meet basic standards and students’ needs. Students also received new educational materials. The Parent Teacher Association was actively involved in discussions and construction work.
Empowerment of civil societies and democratic governance in Luapula Province and Western Province
This project aims to increase community involvement in the creation of local policies and overall governance. Through this initiative citizens will be educated on their rights and opportunities and gain skills to influence political decisions at the local or national level for the benefit of their communities. Active involvement of civil society is a prerequisite for forming policies aimed at the reduction of poverty and improving development.
Thirty civil-society organizations participate in the project. Members of these organizations receive trainings on various topics, including political engagement, human rights, gender issues, social and decentralization. Trainees also receive briefings on project writing and grant administration. Through these trainings, civil society organizations gain skills to help them reach the political representatives and promote the interests of local people more effectively. Particular attention is paid to helping women develop their leadership and managerial skills.
The project also includes an ongoing information campaign aimed at educating the public. For example, through radio programs, people learn about opportunities for citizens to participate in political decisions. Other programs deal with government responsibilities toward their citizens and citizens’ rights. The main objective of this information campaign is to empower civil society, enable grassroots political participation, and promote political decisions in the field of poverty reduction and regional development.
Thirty civil-society organizations participate in the project. Members of these organizations receive trainings on various topics, including political engagement, human rights, gender issues, social and decentralization. Trainees also receive briefings on project writing and grant administration. Through these trainings, civil society organizations gain skills to help them reach the political representatives and promote the interests of local people more effectively. Particular attention is paid to helping women develop their leadership and managerial skills.
The project also includes an ongoing information campaign aimed at educating the public. For example, through radio programs, people learn about opportunities for citizens to participate in political decisions. Other programs deal with government responsibilities toward their citizens and citizens’ rights. The main objective of this information campaign is to empower civil society, enable grassroots political participation, and promote political decisions in the field of poverty reduction and regional development.
Let’s build a School in Africa
People in Need has been present in the Kalabo district since 2017 and has already implemented several successful projects. One of them is an intervention focused on the quality of education in Ndoka ward. The remoteness of villages in the Kalabo district make it difficult for local people to access basic services such as health care, markets, water, proper nutrition, and education.
In close cooperation with the Zambian Ministry of Education, People in Need decided to support the quality of education in Ndoka ward. The project rehabilitated three primary schools and constructed one classroom block in Nangumba village. The targeted primary schools lacked desks and classroom furniture, and there was a great need for rehabilitation of the current structures. At the same time, overcrowded classrooms had a clear impact on the quality of education.
With the active involvement of the Parent Teacher Association and students, several classrooms were reconstructed, and, along with the surrounding school areas, beautified. Thanks to the project, walls and roofs were repaired and new classrooms, offices, latrines, and hand-washing stations were installed. One brand new classroom block (with two classrooms and one office) was constructed. The classrooms were fully equipped with tables, desks, benches, chairs, and whiteboards to meet the standards of the Ministry of Education.
In close cooperation with the Zambian Ministry of Education, People in Need decided to support the quality of education in Ndoka ward. The project rehabilitated three primary schools and constructed one classroom block in Nangumba village. The targeted primary schools lacked desks and classroom furniture, and there was a great need for rehabilitation of the current structures. At the same time, overcrowded classrooms had a clear impact on the quality of education.
With the active involvement of the Parent Teacher Association and students, several classrooms were reconstructed, and, along with the surrounding school areas, beautified. Thanks to the project, walls and roofs were repaired and new classrooms, offices, latrines, and hand-washing stations were installed. One brand new classroom block (with two classrooms and one office) was constructed. The classrooms were fully equipped with tables, desks, benches, chairs, and whiteboards to meet the standards of the Ministry of Education.
