End of Inception Phase Report: Zambia Local Impact Governance Activity

The program aimed to support the Government of the Republic of Zambia's decentralization agenda. Throughout the seven-month Inception Phase, Local Impact engaged with national and subnational stakeholders to build strong relationships and establish a foundation for the program's activities. The program selected 18 districts in Central and Muchinga Provinces as primary partners at the subnational level. The selection processes for both provinces and districts were methodologically sound, data-driven, and transparent. Local teams, comprised of consultants and Local Impact staff, conducted assessments and analyses to inform the program's activities. These included Own-Source Revenue and private sector viability assessments, a detailed Political Economy Analysis, and a Social Network Analysis. Local Impact established a close partnership with the Government of the Republic of Zambia, specifically delivering training to six partner district authorities on how to use the Local Government Performance Assessment tool jointly developed by the GRZ and the Ministry of Local Government. The program's two sub-contractors, Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team and another organization, supported the program's activities. The Inception Phase activities were guided by the Local Impact Inception Phase Plan, which outlined the program's milestones and objectives. The program's progress was monitored and evaluated through a comprehensive baseline study, which included a Political Economy Analysis and a Social Network Analysis. The study provided valuable insights into the local context and informed the program's future activities. The program's staff and consultants worked closely with local stakeholders to establish a strong foundation for the program's activities. The program's close partnership with the GRZ and other stakeholders will enable it to support the GRZ's decentralization agenda and contribute to the development of the local government system in Zambia. The Local Impact Governance Activity is a USAID-funded program that aims to support the decentralization agenda of the Government of the Republic of Zambia. The program's activities are guided by the Local Impact Inception Phase Plan, which outlines the program's milestones and objectives. The program's progress was monitored and evaluated through a comprehensive baseline study, which included a Political Economy Analysis and a Social Network Analysis. The program's implementation will be guided by the Local Impact Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan (AMELP), which outlines the program's monitoring and evaluation framework. The program will also establish a close partnership with the GRZ and other stakeholders to ensure that the program's activities are aligned with the GRZ's decentralization agenda. The program's activities will focus on supporting the development of local government systems, improving service delivery, and promoting decentralization. The program will work closely with local stakeholders to establish a strong foundation for the program's activities and ensure that the program's activities are aligned with the GRZ's decentralization agenda.