Zambia
NCA and DCA have worked in Zambia for over 50 years to strengthen civil society, address the symptoms and causes of multi-dimensional poverty and inequality, and promote an inclusive society where all people can live healthy, dignified lives. Together with our partners, we are active in six regions, with key results in climate-resilient WASH, gender-based violence prevention, climate and environmental stewardship, economic development and food security, fighting inequality, and humanitarian response.
Challenges and response
Poverty & unemployment
NCA & DCA Zambia empowers marginalised individuals, including women, girls, and people with disabilities, by providing skills and promoting income-generating ventures linked to the private sector. This grants them ownership and control of assets like land, enabling them to earn a living wage and build resilience against vulnerabilities.
Inadequate access to clean water & sanitation services
Climate change-driven floods and droughts challenge rain-fed agriculture. NCA & DCA Zambia improve access to clean water and sanitation through community-managed, solar-powered water points. These promote safe hygiene practices, ensure equitable and sustainable sanitation, and provide affordable water services for households, agriculture, and livestock, even during emergencies.
Food insecurity & malnutrition
Recognising climate change's impact on food security, NCA & DCA Zambia promotes eco-friendly, sustainable, and climate-resilient agriculture. Farmers are trained in agroecology, climate-resilient farming, crop diversification, and water management. Leveraging technology for climate adaptation, we work to enhance productivity and promote nutritious crops for balanced household diets.
Womens rights are threatened
NCA & DCA Zambia's approach combines GBV prevention through attitude and norm change with the empowerment of women and girls. This is supported by strengthened community referral systems for comprehensive GBV services. Faith and traditional leaders, along with men, will play central roles as change agents to transform social norms, prevent harmful practices, and raise awareness of sexual and reproductive health rights
Introducing LIFT-Zambia
LIFT-ZAMBIA (Lives Saved, Inequality Addressed, Fostering Resilience for Transformation) is our flagship programme, funded by NORAD and DANIDA. Spanning six provinces and led through four regional hubs, LIFT-ZAMBIA is a bold step toward realizing a Zambia that is equitable, resilient, and just.
We work through 11 local partner organisations, co-designing projects that reflect local priorities and community wisdom. The programme focuses on:
- Building community resilience to climate and economic shocks
- Expanding civic space and strengthening citizen voice
- Empowering women and youth with tools, opportunities, and dignity
- Promoting inclusive governance and accountable leadership
- Delivering WASH, SRHR, and GBV services in underserved areas
LIFT-Zambia is built on three strategic pillars:
Save Lives
We respond to humanitarian crises and protect at-risk populations through clean water, food assistance, GBV survivor services, and disaster preparedness.
Build Resilience
We support communities to adapt to climate change, access sustainable livelihoods, and invest in long-term food security.
Seek Justice
We empower civil society in Zambia to hold duty bearers accountable, demand rights, and advocate for policy change.
Norwegian Church Aid in Zambia
Been present since
2002
in Zambia
In 2024, we spent
2.560.455
EURO in Zambia
Partners
- Alliance for Community Action (ACA)
- Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA)
- Climate Environmental Justice (CEJ)
- Civil Society for Povey Reduction (CSPR)
- Community Technology Development Trust (CTDT)
- Jesus Caress Ministry (JCM)
- Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR)
- National Organization for Agriculture Development in Communities (NOCAD)
- Participatory Ecological and Land Use Management (PELUM)
- Response Network (RN)
- Transparency International Zambia (TIZ)
Our donors in Zambia
All donors
Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad)
Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA)
Contact
Norwegian Church Aid & DanChurchAid - Zambia
Plot 36984, Katima Mulilo Road, Lusaka, Zambia P.O.Box 30703 Telephone: +260 211 264 54 / +260 211 260 976
E-mail: JCP.ZAMBIA@nca.no
Why
Ruth Machina, from Nangoma District in Central Province, Zambia, faced pervasive poverty and various challenges, including living with a physical disability and inadequate access to clean water. After her husband left her, she was forced to rely on handouts from community members to feed and clothe her three sons.
How
Ruth was enrolled in NCA-DCA's community savings group, where she received training in financial management and climate-smart agriculture. She accessed income- generating opportunities and drip-feed irrigation technology. Group members learned about civic rights, GBV referral pathways, environmental conservation, climate change, and resilience. NCA-DCA also provided safe water and sanitation, supporting climate- smart agriculture and addressing daily needs. This holistic approach empowers individuals like Ruth.
Result
Through our programme, Ruth transitioned from dependency to self-sufficiency. She now generates a sustainable income and practices climate-smart agriculture with access to safe water. Empowered with knowledge of her rights, she confidently defends them. Ruth is one of thousands of rural Zambians empowered by NCA and DCA to overcome poverty, dependency, and injustice.
Local partners on this project
Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ)
Donors
DANIDA, The Norwegian Agency for Development and Cooperation (Norad), and The Scottish Government
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