Devolution

Zimbabwe has begun implementing the Devolution and Decentralisation policy established in 2020.

The Zimbabwe Devolution Working Group (ZDWG) is a multidisciplinary collective of professionals from the humanitarian and development (CSOs), academic, private and public sectors. It is a platform of concerned citizens and institutions that see value in the role of devolution to increase citizen participation in issues pertaining to service provision and accountability in their local areas. The collective is inspired to make devolution work in Zimbabwe for the benefit of the people of Zimbabwe by sharing best practices, methods, and experiences in the best interest of the local space. The working group’s coordination is held on a rotation basis while at present, the Grassroots Organizations Support Centre (GOSC) coordinates the group to enable its inaugural functions and acts as the working group’s Secretariat.

The Zimbabwe Devolution Working Group comes into existence in a context where the Government of Zimbabwe has begun implementing the Devolution and Decentralisation policy established in 2020. The devolution of power from the central government to Provincial and Local Authorities is necessitated by Section 264 of the Constitution that compels the establishment of Provincial and Local Authorities to form a three-tier government system. Devolution attempts to address years of disparities and inequalities by transferring additional resources and decision-making powers to the decentralized regions. By providing for devolution, the Zimbabwe Constitution envisaged a more inclusive role for citizens through social accountability mechanisms at all stages of the local area’s planning/budgeting processes. The process allows for devolution of of fiscal, economic, and political decision-making powers from the central government to provincial and local authorities in Zimbabwe.

Vision

Being a dynamic network of engaged devolution campaigners.

Mission

To promote innovation, collaboration and communication among stakeholders working on devolution initiatives.

Strategic Objectives of the Devolution Working Group

Co-creating inclusive spaces for diverse stakeholders engaging in devolution policy, practice, and processes.
Strengthening institutions and cultures that support devolution in Zimbabwe.
Building Zimbabwean citizens’ capacities to understand, engage and contribute meaningfully to the country’s devolution processes.

What the Working Group Does?

Create platforms for dialogue and engagement among devolution stakeholders;
Raise awareness on devolution laws, policies and practices;
Research and document best practices and processes on devolution; and
Promote collective voices of citizens and stakeholders on devolution in Zimbabwe.