Community Empowerment Facility Profile

BACKGROUND

As the full impact is felt of the first phase of the Zimbabwe Government’s Land Reform and Resettlement Programme (LRRP: 1980-1997) and its subsequent ‘fast track’, it is evident that there is a lack of institutions and mechanisms to support resettlement communities in establishing their livelihoods from the available resources while at the same time conserving the natural resources on which their future incomes depend. According to the local NGO, Zimbabwe Regional Environment Organization (ZERO), int he past very few settlement schemes succeeded in raising agricultural productivity with the result that poverty has worsened. Surveys carried out during the course of 2000, revealed that the lack of organization and inputs are major constraints to greater agricultural productivity.

Working in support of ZERO, the International Land Coalition foresees that the pilot project will determine the main constraints and other steps needed to ensure the development of supporting institutions and services for improved productivity and incomes. In December 2001, the Land Coalition entered into an agreement with ZERO to provide USD 57 600 in support of the project which is likely to play an catalytic role in eliminating similar shortcomings in other resettlement schemes in Zimbabwe.

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GOAL AND OBJECTIVES

The project aims to promote sustainable use of land and natural resources to improve food security and increase the income of the settlers. There will be a multi-step process starting with an analysis of the pre-settlement selection process and planning.The latter will consider the effect of these schemes on the land and environment, assessing how land is allocated and zoned, together with the existing or needed institutional and infrastructural support. ZERO will assess the improved capacity needed by the community to manage the environment, improve agricultural production and establish other sources of income. Having determined the pre-settlement situation, ZERO will assist the communities to set up sustainable institutions for natural resource management.

The decision to support the work of ZERO was based on the need to develop institutions and grassroots management of the environment, as the economic foundation and entry point for resettlement communities to build household assets and increase livelihood opportunities. Prior resettlement programmes identified the importance of community institutions in raising the standard of living of poor settlers and establishing agreements for the conservation of natural resources in the face of population growth in the areas set aside for communal use and community development.

Through the specific community actions, the project will obtain practical recommendations for pre-settlement support and settlement mechanisms, for use by key decision-makers in future resettlement schemes. The process and recommendations will be based on the effects of this pilot project on specific communities and households. The results are expected to be replicated in establishing Community Trusts Funds.

In order to ensure sustainability, the project will train leaders through the training for trainers programmes. The leaders will manage and develop the resettlement schemes and also methods for achieving greater financial security through the the Community Trust Funds. Since Sero was approached by the communities to assist with the implementation of the project, a strong commitment is expected and is necessary to sustain the institutions and other mechanisms.

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WHO WILL BENEFIT?

The main beneficiaries will be 70 households in two villages selected for this pilot intervention in the Masasa and Rushfontein Resettlement schemes. However, since these villages border a number of adjacent villages and farming areas, the project is likely to have an impact on resettlement projects across Zimbabwe. Within its responsibilities for the overall management of the project, ZERO will collaborate with key government departments, such as the Forestry Commission, the Departments of Energy and Natural Resources and Agriculture Extension. These relationships will provide opportunities for scaling up and replication through promoting the project approach, sharing information and lobbying key government figures on behalf of the beneficiaries for access to services. It is hoped that the results will lead to strenthening government policies and resettlement practices.

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CONCLUSION

Through its emphasis on training and reporting on the de facto situation to government officials, the project may open a window to influence policy makers on the form and modalities for future resettlement projects, by highlighting the positive outcomes and the limitations of existing schemes. It may also serve to understand and expose the limitations of the ‘fast track’ approach to land reform and resettlement. At the same time the project gives the settlers an opportunity, through institutional empowerment, to access financial mechanisms, train its leaders, influence the use of the land and improve their livelihoods through the responsible use of natural resources. Communities will be empowered, initially with the assistance of institutions like ZERO, to influence local authorities and decisions affecting their livelihoods.

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