Zambia: Building Community Resilience through Local Solutions

Project Overview

Zambia is confronting multifaceted challenges across healthcare, economic stability, and environmental sustainability. In informal settlements, inadequate infrastructure and economic volatility exacerbate disparities, amid environmental vulnerabilities. 

The project objectives include strengthening WASH partnerships, fostering resilient livelihoods, promoting community governance participation, and improving water and sanitation management. Through evidence-based advocacy and grassroots engagement, it seeks to mitigate vulnerabilities and disasters, fostering lasting resilience. 

The People’s Process on Housing and Poverty in Zambia (PPHPZ), in collaboration with the Zambia Homeless and Poor People’s Federation, is implementing the project through the co-production of locally shaped adaptive solutions, evidence-based advocacy, and the showcasing of low-cost approaches to enhancing access to WASH services and improving housing. 

This project is part of the Building Resilience in Informal Settlements Programme, a partnership between Cities Alliance and Slum Dwellers International (SDI), funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), to support civil society organisations working in informal settlements.

Initial Project Results: 2022-2024

Engagement meetings have effectively introduced the project in four settlements. Fifteen savings groups have been established, empowering local economies. Additionally, 30 small-scale enterprises received vital training, fostering sustainable livelihoods. The development of collaboration plans and the submission of 20 project proposals to the WDC underscore increased community participation and governance.

Initiatives targeting local needs have yielded tangible outcomes. One hundred households are now connected to sewer systems, enhancing sanitation. Rehabilitation efforts include five water kiosks and a local area plan, addressing infrastructure gaps in vulnerable peri-urban areas. These measures improve access to basic services and infrastructure.

Efforts to fortify institutional capacity are evident. Quarterly project review meetings and a regional gathering in the Copperbelt region have facilitated collaboration and coordination. Furthermore, robust data collection and management systems have been established, enhancing informed decision-making.

Key Achievements: 2022-2024