- ActionAid
- Focus areas of our work
- How we work
- Countries we work in
- Examples and results
- The organisation
Zambia
MS ActionAid Denmark supports building local democracy in Zambia by empowering poor people to fight poverty. We support poor peoples' land rights – in particular women, youth and marginalized groups.
Building local democracy to empower the poor
“During last years fight for the NGO bill, civil society was caught unaware and it was difficult for us to come together and present a common stand. But now the civil sociey has created a joined forum, ready to act together and gain more influence.”
Rev. Malawo Matyola, Executive Secretary of Zambia Council for Social Development
Zambia's first president, Kenneth Kaunda, led the country as a one-party state from the independence until 1991, when a multi-party democracy system was introduced. But in reality, Zambia's democracy is still not working very well. Decisions are primarily made by the ruling party elite, while parliament and district authorities have very little say on matters of planning and budgeting.
Most poor people do not have any influence on the laws which decide how the resources are spent. They don't get regular information of what is going on, have limited access to participating in the public debate and hardly any influence on the decisions for development that are meant to improve their conditions. Very few belong to organised networks and associations who can speak on their behalf. This is why MS supports the strengthening of local democracy – to ensure that poor people's voices are heard to influence decisions.
How we work
In Zambia, MS ActionAid Denmark supports:
- Grassroot organisations which help local people organize themselves so that their rights and needs can be included in the policies which affect them. Networks also help people to share common experiences - for instance on better farming methods.
- Civil society organizations which analyse government policy and work to include pro-poor rights legislation and to coordinate civil society efforts.
- Women and youth organisations which enable these groups to participate in decision making and advocate gender equality.
- Advocating for the government's implementation of a decentralization policy to give people influence on plans, budgets and priorities in their locality.
We also support
In Zambia, many poor people are chased off their land because their land rights are not included in the legislation, because the management system is outdated and because of corruption and speculation in land. It is a disaster for many poor families who are totally dependent on the food they can grow on their plot. This is why MS supports Zambia Land Alliance and other partner organisations promoting a more equitable and transparent land policy.Learn more
Read more about our work in ZambiaDocuments
Despite the drop in international food prices since 2008 food prices in Zambia continue to grow. MS Zambia has produced a report which explores the reasons for this.
Constitutional review
The Zambian Constitution is under review and the first draft constitution has been published. Some of the proposed changes have aroused public debate.
Corruption in Zambia
Every year billions of Kwacha that could have improved the lives of the poor people of Zambia ends up in brown envelopes for the benefit of very few people.
If the Zambian people are to influence decision making and thereby their own life circumstances, they must start using their vote in national as well as local elections. That is the message from AVAP, who are working to see a voter apathy free Zambia.
Caritas Lusaka, formerly known as Social Ministry for Justice and Development (SMJD) is the Humanitarian and Development agency of the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Lusaka in Zambia. The vision of Caritas Lusaka is a society where all people live in harmony and have equal opportunities to equitably attain integral human development.
Small scale farmers live a risk prone life, vulnerable to fluctuating market trends and unpredictable rain patterns. Chadiza district small scale farmers’ association seeks to promote sustainable livelihood strategies amongst its 800 members through diversification of their livelihood activities, training in sustainable agricultural methods and establishment of linkages to markets and service providers.
Chipata District farmers’ Association [CDFA] is a membership based independent and democratically organized Non-governmental organization belonging to the farmers of Chipata district. CDFA has a vision of a self-sustaining farming community.
CDFA is a member based non-governmental organisation established in 2002 focusing on the promotion and protecting farmers interests, lobby and advocacy, provide members with services related to agriculture information, marketing, technology and inputs among others.
Zambia has a very young population, but youths are not often in a position to influence the decisions taken on their behalf. Community Youth Concern builds the skills and confidence of young people to enable them to effect positive changes in their community. By training youths in decision-making, human rights and advocacy, young people are empowered to take charge of their lives.
Small scale farmers are among the poorest people in Zambia. They have very limited or no access to reliable and viable information, which could help them break the chains of poverty and improve their lives. FOSUP has brought these farmers together and has created a strong platform from which the voices of the small scale farmers can be heard.
How to make agriculture profitable in Zambia’s driest and hottest place? Is possible to achieve this at all? This is the challenge that the partnership between MS-Zambia, Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives and the newly formed farmers association in Luangwa District is facing.
Women and children in the rural areas of Zambia are among the most vulnerable groups in Zambian society. Mansa District Women Development Association (MDWDA) aims at bettering the conditions and prospects of the women and children in the Mansa district through promoting gender equality and strengthening the women socially, politically and economically.
NDFA is a local-based voluntary membership organisation which was formed in 1994 by a group of ten farmers in Mtilizi Re-settlement Scheme in response to declining government support since the nation’s adoption of the liberalized policy in 1991. Nyimba DFA has continued growing in membership at the average rate of 46% annually with matching renewals and new affiliates.
SACCORD is a registered non-governmental organisation registered in 2000 focusing on the promotion of democracy and peace in Zambia and the sub region of Southern Africa.
The vision of the organisation is a world where there is democracy, justice, peace and human security. The mission of the organisation is to work towards a political environment that promotes justice and peace for sustainable human development.
YWA is a non-profit NGO fighting to make changes for the young female population of Zambia. Young women are a particularly disadvantaged group in Zambian society. They are rarely able to participate in decision-making at any level and therefore are not able to effectively make changes for themselves neither locally nor nationally.
In Zambia the youth accounts for 66,7% of the population. However, youth are rarely consulted or included in decision-making at any level, meaning that they are unable to influence decisions that affect their life and future. YAZ aims to empower the young population of Zambia, in order for them to be able to make positive changes for themselves and their communities.
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.
MS Zambia - ActionAid Zambia from July 1st
5011 Los Angeles Boulevard
P.O. Box 35788
Lusaka, Zambia
Phone: +260 (0) 211 252605
Fax: +260 (0) 211 255593
Pres: Norma J. Martinez
Communications Advisor Zambia
Phone: +260 (0) 211 252605
Mobile: +260 (0) 974 122308
Mail: norma.martinez@ms.zm
skype: Normajosefa











