CSOs faces serious stiffing state sponsored constrains

 The CIVIL  Society  Organisations  has alleged that they are facing stifling constraints caused by the government in their operations in Zimbabwe.

This was revealed through their report on an enabling environment for Civil Society Organizations case study of the country.

"While Zimbabwe has made some notable strides in the creation of an enabling environment, it was noted that the constraints that mitigate against effective CSO operations tend to outweigh the numerous efforts made. Key research findings pointed to a very limited enabling environment for CSOs due to the lack of trust that the government has towards CSOs,"" reads the report.

"Politicisation of CSOs programs and work, lack of cooperation from government departments, stringent registration processes for CSOs, unconducive legislation and lack of spaces to engage into development oriented dialogue between the CSOs, the government and the Donor community were cited as some of the major contributing factors that are curtailing an enabling environment for CSOs in Zimbabwe."

The report also states that inadequate capacity, over reliance on donor funding, lack of sustainability strategies and failure to adhere to strict corporate governance were also identified as some of the internal weaknesses that are inhibiting Zimbabwean CSOs to effectively carry out their work.

"The research acknowledged the work that the different donor agencies are doing to support local CSOs but at the same time notes a growing concern by CSOs based out of Harare who opined that the donors tend to be more inclined towards established CSOs especially those based in Harare and Bulawayo," reads the report in part.

"The adoption of the 2013 constitution was identified as a significant milestone in strengthening the development effectiveness agenda in Zimbabwe as the constitution promotes civic participation, guarantees the freedom of assembly and association, promotes human rights and fosters good governance. With all these pillars being critical in the establishment of an enabling environment. The research however noted that the antithesis of the good constitution is the lack of constitutionalism among key players in Zimbabwe's governance processes."

The report states that numerous reforms and recommendations are proffered throughout the report with the realignment and total repulsion of restricting laws that are currently inhibiting freedom of association and assembly taking centre stage.

"Increased CSO-government cooperation and trust building, relaxed government bureaucracy and institutionalised coordination platforms that bring together government and CSOs, were also identified as being critical to development effectiveness as they significantly contribute to an unadulterated operational environment that is enabling to CSO operations," reads the report.

"The need to come up with strong institutional mechanisms that facilitate coordination between the government and CSOs so as to implement the different reforms that are essential in enhancing an enabling environment for Zimbabwean CSOs is also underscored as an urgent action. It is within this vein that the research proffers a country strategy for coordination so as to push the reform agenda but at the same time enhancing synergies between the government, CSOs and the donor community as well as increasing the participation of CSOs in policy formulation, implementation and decision making."