Our Services

Civil Society Strengthening (CSS)

A robust civil society contributes to a more inclusive, participatory, transparent, and accountable and open society. Civil society can play an important role in fostering good governance resulting in improved respect for human rights and an enabling environment for economic and social development.

Our work under CSS covers basic organizational development, strategy formulation and evaluation, alliance/network building and programming support. We support Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working in different sectors such as natural resources governance, governance and human rights, conflict transformation, land and housing, women economic empowerment and extractives.

Justification

DEGI believes that an effective civil society is the backbone of thriving communities and countries. Civil society is the realm of organized social life that is self-generating and autonomous from the state. Independent groups/CSOs that make up this space shape public policy, keep governments accountable, promote peace, enhances natural resources governance, defend human rights and foster the well-being of citizens.

Goal

The goal of our work under this portfolio is to promote and enhance the development of a vibrant civil society that discharges its functions effectively;

Objectives

  1. To support CSOs with evidence based advocacy tools;
  2. To facilitate policy dialogues between CSOs, government agencies and other non-state actors;
  3. To build the capacity of CSOs in strategy development, implementation, monitoring and review

Outcomes

  1. Vibrant Civil Society that can effectively engage the state on different policy domains;
  2. Inclusive and sustained dialogue platforms on different policy issues;

Examples of projects

Gender Responsive Budget Analysis

  • Client:Zimbabwe Women Resources Center and Network (ZWRCN)
  • Synopsis of project

    DEGI has been engaged by the ZWRCN in 2015, 2016 and 2019 to conduct gender responsive budget analyses in different local authorities including Bulawayo, Murehwa RDC, Mutoko RDC, Kwekwe, Kadoma, Zvishavane Town Council, Shurugwi Town Council, and Tongogara RDC. The analytical work has always informed ZWRCN’s advocacy as they are interested in issues of social accountability and women participation in development.

    Position papers on devolution implementation 2019

  • Client: Harare Residents Trust (HRT) and Center for Community Development in Zimbabwe (CCDZ)
  • Synopsis of the project

    DEGI has supported CSOs like HRT and CCDZ with drafting position papers and policy briefs on devolution implementation. These have been used as advocacy tools to engage the Parliamentary Portfolio committee on local government. Since then, HRT and CCDZ’s framing of devolution implementation has improved.