Background and Context
The Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA), with support from Diakonia, launched the “Enhancing Citizen Participation in Local Governance Processes” project in 2019 to address persistent gaps in citizen engagement and public service delivery in Gweru, Zimbabwe. The initiative responded to low civic awareness, limited citizen involvement in governance, and strained relationships between duty bearers and rights holders. Operating across Gweru’s 18 urban wards and three in Vungu Rural District, the project sought to equip residents with knowledge of their rights and responsibilities while promoting dialogue and accountability in local governance.

Methodological Approach
GRRA employed the Engagement for Progress Model, a participatory framework focused on empowering residents to collaborate with local authorities. Central to this model were Community Action Teams (CATs), resident-elected structures responsible for mobilizing community input and acting as liaisons with councilors. The project was guided by three outcomes:

1. Coordinated collective action for service delivery improvements,

2. Increased engagement between residents and duty bearers, and

3. Citizen influence in local decision-making processes.

The project emphasized inclusivity, transparency, and ownership, with strategies such as public consultations, stakeholder forums, and issue-based advocacy campaigns.

Key Activities
GRRA conducted a wide array of initiatives during the project’s first phase (2019–2021):

• Ward-Based Meetings: Forums where residents directly engaged councilors to voice grievances and propose solutions on issues such as water shortages, waste management, and infrastructure breakdowns.

• Citizen Accountability Forums: Platforms allowing residents to question and receive feedback from public officials, including the Mayor.

• Advocacy Campaigns: Residents participated in lobbying efforts, notably against unsafe dumpsites and unaffordable tariffs.

• Roadshows and Public Awareness Campaigns: Focused on saving water, bill payment, and COVID-19 safety, these events reached large segments of the population across Gweru.

• Inclusive Budget Consultations: Residents influenced budget allocations and opposed unfair council proposals through feedback and petitions.

• Training Workshops: Capacity-building sessions for ward committees, women, youth, and persons with disabilities enhanced civic knowledge and leadership confidence.

Successes Achieved
The project registered significant achievements:

• Improved Service Delivery: Following engagement, council introduced a water rationing schedule and solar-powered boreholes in water-scarce areas like Mkoba and Ascot. Refuse collection and street lighting also improved due to persistent community lobbying.

• Increased Civic Engagement: The formation of CATs and regular meetings fostered a culture of dialogue. Residents no longer viewed councilors as distant political figures but as accessible leaders. WhatsApp platforms were established to enhance ward-level communication.

• Policy Influence: Citizen advocacy influenced council decisions, including halting property attachments over unpaid bills, revising the 2020 city budget, and reclaiming land intended for recreational spaces.

• Marginalized Group Inclusion: Workshops for persons with disabilities resulted in structural changes, such as the creation of disability-friendly service counters and greater participation of PWDs in council processes.

• Community Resilience: During disasters, such as flooding in Nashville and Mkoba, GRRA’s rapid mobilization led to coordinated responses involving council, police, and humanitarian agencies.

Challenges Faced
Despite these strides, several hurdles were encountered:

• Political Polarization: Residents’ attendance at meetings was often influenced by the political affiliations of councilors, impeding inclusive dialogue.

• Economic Constraints: Widespread poverty limited residents’ capacity to pay bills, affecting council revenue and service delivery.

• Weak Institutional Capacity: Inadequate funding and a lack of strategic planning within council structures hampered prompt responses to community issues.

• Disaster Preparedness Gaps: The city’s lack of early warning systems and emergency planning exposed residents to unnecessary risk during natural disasters.

Key Learnings

1. Sustained Engagement Builds Trust: Regular interactions between residents and councilors demystify governance and foster accountability.

2. Empowered Citizens Drive Change: When residents understand their rights and responsibilities, they transition from passive recipients to active agents of development.

3. Inclusivity is Essential: Addressing the unique needs of women, youth, and people with disabilities ensures more equitable governance outcomes.

4. Collaboration Enhances Impact: Partnerships with media, CSOs, and faith leaders amplified resident voices and bolstered advocacy campaigns.

5. Community Ownership Fuels Sustainability: The success of initiatives like borehole committees and service delivery champions shows that grassroots ownership is vital for long-term progress.

Conclusion
Phase 1 of the “Enhancing Citizen Participation in Local Governance Processes” project has laid a robust foundation for transformative civic engagement in Gweru. Through strategic partnerships, capacity building, and an inclusive participatory model, GRRA has demonstrated that active citizenship can reshape local governance. The journey ahead requires consolidating gains, scaling innovations, and ensuring that every resident of Gweru has a voice—and that voice is heard.