Zambia. June 2016.
Collaboration for Change transforming lives and minds for equal citizenship.pdf
Program overview
The “Enhancing sustainable livelihoods for poor and marginalized households through land tenure security in three districts of Zambia” (SULTS) project was implemented in 2012. The project targeted 4,335 households in Gwembe, Monze and Solwezi Districts. The Three objectives of the SULTS project were firstly to raise awareness of community members, local leaders and institutions and empower community members to protect their access, ownership, and control of customary land. Second the project aimed to empower poor and marginalized communities to hold local leaders accountable in administration of customary land. The last objective of the project was to strengthen the capacity of ZLA and other Non-State Actors to provide support to poor and marginalized communities to respond to land governance issues.
Evaluation overview
The purpose of the end of project evaluation was to provide the funders, implementing partners and other relevant stakeholders evidence about the performance of the SULTS project while the overall objective was to assess the extent to which the objectives and expected results of the project have been achieved, identify factors influencing their achievement and recommend how achievements can be sustained beyond the project.
Key findings and recommendations
This evaluation found that the SULTS project met most of its intended targets. The community members confirmed having benefited from the project through acquisition of knowledge on customary land rights and administration. The project also turned out to be
the only main channel through which most households were trained on advocacy in general, let alone training on land advocacy. It was evident from community members that the project benefited both women and men equally, mainly because women were disadvantaged traditionally in terms of access and control over land. Therefore, the coming in of the SULTS project enhanced women’s rights to land to an equal level with men and in some cases even much more.
The recommendation from this evaluation is that there is a need for continuation of the SULTS project and build on the models that were developed. Implementers need to improve monitoring and documentation of results. The SULT project also needs to be cautious about their role in the community and ensure effectiveness and inclusion at all levels.