16/09/2025
                                            GOVERNMENT COMMENDS EUROPEAN UNION FOR SUPPORT TO CIVIL SOCIETY IN ZAMBIA  
Government has paid tribute to the European Union for the significant investment and support to Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Zambia.  
Luapula Province Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary Evans Sikabbubba said Government is happy with the support being given to Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) like People Need Network (PIN), the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR), SNV and the Zambia NGO WASH Forum.  
Mr Sikabbubba stated that support to strengthen the capacities of these organisations is important, recognising that the government is open to partnerships.  
He emphasised the need for collaboration, saying that actions that promote civil society work and ensure inclusive implementation of government programmes are welcome.  
Mr Sikabbubba said this when the European Union Delegation to Zambia and COMESA paid a courtesy call on him in Mansa District, Luapula Province.  
He appreciated the EU’s visit and encouraged deeper engagement with the province.  
He expressed gratitude for the EU’s dedication and requested that their findings and recommendations be shared at the end of their tour.  
Mr Sikabbubba further commended the EU for their support in the implementation of the Equal Chances for Human Development (EC4HD) programme which is being implemented in Luapula and North Western Provinces.  
He explained that the EC4HD programme was benefiting five districts in rolling out early childhood education, youth engagement, and skills development.  
Mr Sikabbubba stated that working together was essential to strengthen and improve service delivery, and only through shared insights could they determine if they were on the right path.  
Meanwhile, Ms Njira Mtonga, Programme Manager for Governance and Social Sectors at the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Zambia and COMESA, said that the European Union is working in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Zambia, as well as with other stakeholders such as CSOs and the private sector.  
Ms Mtonga also mentioned that besides the support to CSOs, the European Union has resumed Budget Support to the government.  
She said the Budget Support programme will, amongst other priorities, support completion of boarding secondary schools in various districts of the country.  
Ms Mtonga said among the districts to benefit in Luapula Province is Pambashe Boarding Secondary School in Kawambwa district.  
She explained that, as part of their 360-degree approach to partnership, the EU conducts field missions to interact and learn from what their partners are doing on the ground.  
Ms Mtonga stated that during the current visit, the EU was accompanied by four partners - People in Need (PIN), the JCTR, SNV, and the Zambia NGO WASH Forum.  
She said the four partners were awarded grants to implement activities aimed at strengthening civil society organisations in different sectors.  
Ms Mtonga emphasised that civil society was a vital stakeholder in realising the Sustainable Development Goals.  
She noted that all CSOs are working in consortia with other organisations to improve capacities, ensuring that their work with vulnerable groups is impactful and aligned with existing efforts in the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP).  
Ms Mtonga said that these activities were contributing to the welfare of the Zambian people, and the EU was extremely grateful for the opportunity to work hand in hand with the province through its partners.  
She concluded by thanking the provincial administration for their cooperation and said she would now allow the representatives to speak about their work in the region.  
And People In Need (PIN) Head of Programmes, Mr Rajesh Rai, said that the organisation had been implementing a project focused on civil society and inclusive governance since June 2024.  
Meanwhile, Ms Evelyn Chilufya from PIN, explained that EU funding to PIN is aimed at capacitating local CSOs.  
She stated that PIN was working in partnership with 40 CSOs operating across various thematic areas, in Lusaka, Luapula, Western, North-western, and Southern Provinces.  
Ms Chilufya stressed that CSOs were meant to complement government efforts in delivering services to communities.  
She said the project aimed to ensure that CSOs worked hand in hand with government, traditional leaders, the private sector, and the media.  
Ms Chilufya stated that the project was a three-year initiative (ZMW running from June 2024 to May 2027, beginning with strengthening internal systems to enable more effective service delivery.