Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD)
The Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD) is a national umbrella organization for NGOs and community based organizations (CBOs) in Zambia. Its current objective is to advocate for an enabling and independent environment for the operation of civil society in the country.
Address: P.O Box 51053, House 11, Azikiwe Road, Northmead, Lusaka
Telephone: +260 211 236219
Fax:
Email: info@zcsd.org.zm
www:
Contact person: Malawo Matyola
Theme: Building Local Democracy
When Zambia switched from being a one-party state to becoming a democracy in 1991, one of the effects was a steady growth of civil society organisations in the country. This meant moving from early “social welfare” groups (e.g., Red Cross, Rotary Club), to “development” groups (e.g., those focusing on issues such as environment, rural development, gender), to “governance” groups (e.g., those mobilising people around issues such as human rights, elections, corruption). Today, all three varieties are represented and working actively. However, there is a lack of coordination and communication between all these groups. The current challenge that the NGO sector is facing is in being able to adopt a unified position on issues affecting its operations, like the Zambian government’s NGO bill and a common code of conduct to ensure that NGO’s – like governmental institutions - can be kept responsible for promoting good governance and transparency.
The Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD) is a national umbrella organization for NGOs and community based organizations (CBOs) in Zambia. Presently it has around 100 member organizations. While it has existed since 1975, its current objective is to advocate for an enabling and independent environment for the operation of civil society in the country in order to promote a sustainable socio-economic development through collaboration and networking among NGOs, CBOs and other stakeholders. ZCSD is currently in the process of transforming itself to a viable union for the NGOs in Zambia, a process supported by MS.
The ZCSD is also the secretariat for the Zambia Social Forum which is linked to the Southern Africa Social forum, Africa Social Forum and the World Social Forum. ZSCD is also a member of the Southern Africa Development Coordinating Committee Council of Non Governmental Organization (SADCC CNGO), a parallel structure created by the SADC head of State. SADCCCNGO comprises of all umbrella bodies of NGOs within the SADC regions. ZCSD is further affiliated to CIVICUS and represents Zambia in the AGNA which is a composition of all national associations affiliated to CIVICUS.