Introduction: This is a report by CARITAS Zambia on the issues around the allocation, disbursement and utilisation of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in Zambia.
Constituency Development Fund was introduced in Zambia in 1995 as a means of providing local authorities in Zambia with discretionary finances for projects identified and implemented with community participation.
The General objective of this research is to investigate the impact of the current land law regime on the livelihoods of peasants in Zambia.
The backdrop of this research is that one of the key principles of the social teaching of the Catholic Church is that of “option for the poor”.
Executive Summary
The advent of lead mining in Kabwe dates as far back as 1904 whilst the mining activities came to an end in 1994 after the closure of a number of mines in Zambia. However, the effects of lead mining though are still being felt and have generated discussions focused on three main areas of concern especially in the affected communities such as Makululu compound of Kabwe town.
Advocacy work and submissions of various publications leading to various policy amendments.
Carried out researches, did research papers and articles on various issues that have been used for engagement with policy makers, e.g. GBV, bringing life to SDG, mining and taxation, Policy position papers, debt,; e.g. Strengthened Donor confidence that has brought about new donors e.g. Save the Children, TDH and OSISA.
Capacity strengthening and building confidence in communities to voice out issues.
Promotion of sustainable livelihoods and agriculture through diocesan works under different projects such as KUMENA, Mantapala.
Capacity building of diocesan partners and other institutions (e.g. Chapter One Foundation) in advocacy which resulted in enhanced local voices on governance issues such as corruption and decentralisation.
Advocacy for peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Influenced laws and policies so that they respond to people’s needs e.g., Agriculture Policy, Land Policy, the Legal Aid Act, Local Development Act, Planning and Budgeting Act, etc.
Influenced legal reforms such as the enactment of the CDF Act through evidence based submission to Parliamentary select committees.
Being recognised for its work by government thus Caritas gets invited to various meetings and on Boards e.g., EITI Council, technical committee on SDGs, decentralization.
Being recognised at national, regional and international level for the works Caritas is doing based on the invitations received. Caritas seats on three councils, e.g. The Vatican Committees and regional bodies on – Communication, Extractives, and SDGs.
Developed and implemented the Strategic Plan.
Influenced citizens’ effective participation in governance processes such as elections in all dioceses.
Built effective networks with like-minded organisations.
Influenced policy and legislation on Child protection and safeguarding mechanism and systems, including protection of girls against early marriages and all forms of abuse.
Strong financial internal controls enhancing donor confidence.
Developing and implementing elections strategy
Creating platforms for debating elections manifestos.
Enhancing capacity of diocesan teams to conduct civic education on the roles of elected leaders and how to hold them accountable.
Conscientisation of dioceses on how to advocate for the lacunars in the 2016 Amended Constitution.
Conducting lobby and advocacy on the need to amend the POA.
Making submissions on critical bills to the parliamentary Select Committees.
Popularising the spaces and opportunities for public participation in parliamentary work with specific attention paid to women to ensure they have access to critical information.
Holding engagement meetings with decentralisation secretariat and political parties on possible synergies.
Conducting drama performances in selected communities on the positives of decentralisation.
An increase in the number of men, women, youths and persons with disabilities participating in the electoral processes at all levels.
Contributed to Government taking consideration to reform the 2016 amended Constitution and the legal framework that governs the electoral process in Zambia.
Contributed to holding of elected leaders accountable by the citizens.
Holding engagement meetings with Parliament on Parliamentary Reforms.
Continuous monitoring the implementation of decentralisation Policy.
Built capacity of 11 dioceses to engage in local governance process.
Undertaking citizens’ engagements in the decentralisation process in all dioceses.
The previous Strategic Plan (2010 – 2013) was the third Caritas Zambia strategic plan since 2004. The strategic themes which Caritas Zambia has been focusing on over this period were mainly in the areas of Governance, Economic Justice, Poverty, Food Security, Gender, HIV and AIDS. In the 2010 - 2013 period, issues of the extractive industries, environment, and climate change picked great momentum.
We are indebted to our partners who have supported our work for a very long period of time. Our current partners are: Caritas Norway, CAFOD, Norwegian Church AID, OSISA, GIZ, Canadian Development and Peace, Caritas Internationalis, ZGF and USAID.
Caritas Zambia strategic issues have been clustered around four main areas which also form Caritas Zambia programmes namely; Democracy and Governance, The Church and State, Economic and Social Accountability, and Livelihoods and Climate Change Adaptation. In addition, there is a fifth programme which provides support to all the other four programmes and is called Organisational Development.
