25 Zambian CSOs in £4, 000 boost from UK
ABOUT 25 Zambian civil society organisations (CSOs) have benefitted from the United Kingdom Charity Comic Relief “catalyst fund” meant to ignite local development.
The programme is being spearheaded in partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The CSOs are from Gwembe, Sinazongwe, Petauke , Nyimba and Kabwe.
The funding was a start-up grant designed to assist emerging CSOs in carrying out early-stage activities.
The programme, launched in December 2022, has seen the CSOs receiving £4, 000 to kick start their community-focused initiatives.
Kelvin Tambulukani, the Community-led Development and CSO Support Manager at the Zambian Governance Foundation for Civil Society, which is overseeing the programme explained that the scheme is aimed at empowering grassroots organisations that contribute significantly to their local communities but often face challenges in securing funding for their projects.
Mr Tambulukani said the grant was intended to fuel a diverse range of projects in thematic areas such as gender justice, early childhood development, and environmental protection (climate justice).
“The unique approach of the catalyst fund ensures that local communities dictate their needs, fostering a sense of ownership and sustainability,” he said.
And Sepiso Mushoke, the Executive Director of the Healing Balm Foundation, one of the 25 organisations selected for the fund, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, explaining that the funding would not only provide financial support but also valuable guidance to scale their impact in the community.
She noted the challenges faced by most CSOs in rural areas, including limited funding and lack of expertise.
“This funding will enable us to overcome these, expanding our reach and improving the lives of more individuals in need,” Ms Mushoke added.
The Catalyst Fund is also being implemented in Ghana by Star Ghana Foundation and West Africa Civil Society Institute as well as in Malawi by Tilitonse Foundation.