ADA Fifth Semiannual PY3

The program focuses on five local authority areas across Zimbabwe, including Bulawayo, Epworth, Harare, Kadoma, and Masvingo. The ADA Program seeks to achieve its objectives through seven key activities. Activity One involves community-led documentation and tracking of evictions to inform communities of their constitutional rights, negotiate with local authorities, and advocate for improved informal settlers' rights to national-level institutions. Activity Two supports solidarity group and Informal Settlement Network (ISN) members to maintain collective savings and their value during the pandemic. Activity Three strengthens established agreements between ISNs and local authorities, while continuing to engage with remaining local authorities. Activity Four organizes Constitutional Accountability Platforms (CAP) to build the capacity of ISN members to effectively engage with national-level authorities and policymakers. Activity Five establishes litigation support for victims of evictions and works with lawyers to identify a precedent test case. Activity Six provides sustained psychosocial support to informal settlers and builds PSS structures, equipping trained community members to provide basic trauma counselling and referrals to families affected by evictions. Despite operational challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the ADA team continued to implement planned activities and make steady progress toward achieving the Program objectives. The team adapted its implementation approach to accommodate government restrictions on movement and gatherings, adopting safety measures such as restricted travel, limits on the nature and size of gatherings and meetings, and telework. The ADA team engaged with local authorities to negotiate for stays of evictions, advocate for access to basic services, mobilize informal settlements into an ISN, and provide psychosocial support services to informal settlers. The ADA team remained focused on the PY3 Annual Work Plan, prioritizing activities that align with the program's objectives. The team continued to engage with local authorities, ISNs, and other stakeholders to build the capacity of anti-eviction solidarity groups and address shelter-related issues at both the national and local levels. The program's progress is expected to meet all life-of-Program (LoP) targets by the end of Program Year 3. The ADA Program has made significant progress in empowering citizens living in informal settlements to increase local and national decision-makers' accountability regarding constitutional provisions that protect the urban poor's rights to shelter and basic services. The program's activities have contributed to improved informal settlers' rights to national-level institutions, strengthened established agreements between ISNs and local authorities, and built the capacity of anti-eviction solidarity groups to address shelter-related issues. The program's continued progress is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of informal settlers in Zimbabwe.