https://cite.org.zw/accountability-lab-wraps-up-5-year-civic-engagement-project-in-zimbabwe/. Accountability Lab Zimbabwe, an organisation dedicated to promoting effective and people-centred governance, has concluded its five-year project, New Narratives for Accountability in Zimbabwe (NAZ), which focused on community-driven initiatives across the country. Bathabile Dlamini, the organisation’s Media and Communications Officer, announced the project’s closure during a community closeout event held in Entumbane, Bulawayo, on Wednesday. She explained that the initiative began in 2020 and had now reached its conclusion. “We have been running programmes in Harare, Bulawayo, Chitungwiza and Goromonzi. Today marks the final closeout event, where we are engaging residents on issues such as drug and substance abuse and the challenges faced by informal traders due to economic conditions — and offering potential solutions,” said Dlamini. The NAZ project sought to encourage civic engagement and foster dialogue within communities. Dlamini said it built networks across Zimbabwe by working with local organisations and incorporating music, art, and youth-led public campaigns into its activities. “We’ve worked in several communities, and Bulawayo is the first where we’re formally acknowledging the support we’ve received. Today’s event closes the programme under the Civic Action Teams initiative,” she added. Dlamini also highlighted the project’s focus on addressing urgent local concerns. “This programme was designed to promote dialogue and collaborative problem-solving between duty bearers and communities. For example, in Entumbane we focused on drug and substance abuse, while in Pumula we addressed the lack of support for residents affected by quarry mining,” she said. Thulani Mswelanto, the project’s Research Coordinator, outlined some of the major challenges encountered during the initiative. He pointed to drug abuse and urban mining near residential areas as top priorities. “We partnered with organisations such as the Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA) to tackle concerns facing the informal economy. We pushed for local authorities to adopt inclusive frameworks that reflect economic realities and end the criminalisation of informal sector players,” said Mswelanto. He added that the project also addressed broader community issues, including infrastructure decay and violence. “In places like Nkulumane, residents raised concerns about localised violence. We worked to provide them with strategies to tackle these issues. Overall, we implemented research-focused projects in five communities — Entumbane, Pumula, Nkulumane, and both Old and New Cowdray Park,” Mswelanto said. *Independent journalism takes time, resources, and dedication,* *but we do it because your perspective matters.* *Support our work. Donate today* : *https://cite.org.zw/support-local-news/*