Zimbabwe Civil Society Assessment - Feb 2021

Collective action by civil society organizations (CSOs) led to the push for constitutional reforms, guaranteeing the basic rights of citizens under illiberal and corrupt governments. However, state repression has forced CSOs to adapt and create new avenues for driving change, often through collective action rather than individual organizations. This collective approach has added legitimacy to civil society demands, making it difficult for government officials to gain public support when attacking CSOs. Collaborations between city-based CSOs and community-based organizations (CBOs) have enabled national human rights organizations to reach remote areas with limited access to information on civic issues. Despite these successes, state repression has made it extremely difficult and risky for active citizens and civil society groups to stand up for their rights and express their needs and concerns to the government. The Government of Zimbabwe views independent civil society actors as agents of oppositional political parties and international actors interested in regime change. The Assessment Team used a mixed-methods research approach, conducting 64 key informant interviews with civil society groups in various towns across Zimbabwe. The team also interviewed representatives of international donor agencies, with most interviews conducted online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The assessment aimed to update USAID's understanding of the state of civil society in Zimbabwe, evaluate the impact of its support to the sector, and identify challenges and opportunities for civil society capacity development. The report consists of six distinct sections, including a description and analysis of the evolution of Zimbabwe's civil society sector, an evaluation of USAID's support to civil society, a stakeholder analysis, a Gender, Equity, and Social Inclusion (GESI) analysis, an assessment of capacity development approaches, and a series of recommendations. The assessment highlights the importance of civil society in driving change in Zimbabwe, despite the challenges posed by state repression. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the civil society sector, including its successes, challenges, and opportunities for growth and development. The recommendations outlined in the report aim to inform USAID/Zimbabwe's future strategy and programming, with a focus on strengthening civil society capacity development and promoting GESI integration in the sector. The assessment team's findings suggest that civil society in Zimbabwe has made significant progress in recent years, despite the challenges posed by state repression. The sector has demonstrated its ability to adapt and create new avenues for driving change, often through collective action. However, the report also highlights the need for continued support and capacity development to ensure the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of civil society in Zimbabwe. The assessment team's recommendations focus on several key areas, including: * Strengthening civil society capacity development through targeted support and training programs * Promoting GESI integration in the sector through inclusive and equitable programming * Enhancing civil society relations with other actors and institutions in Zimbabwe, including the government and international donor agencies * Supporting the development of a more inclusive and representative civil society sector, with a focus on marginalized and underrepresented groups Overall, the assessment provides a comprehensive analysis of the civil society sector in Zimbabwe, highlighting its successes, challenges, and opportunities for growth and development. The report's recommendations aim to inform USAID/Zimbabwe's future strategy and programming, with a focus on strengthening civil society capacity development and promoting GESI integration in the sector.