This is in line with the association’s objective; To create an enabling and conducive operating environment for NGOs necessary in ensuring sector independence, improved accountability, and fulfilment of institutional mandates.
A friendly operating environment is needed to facilitate the effective implementation of CSOs actions, which will have positive downstream multiplier effects to communities that these entities serve. Further to this, CSOs play a very pivotal role in facilitating and advancing the creation of opportunities for citizens to become drivers of social, political, and economic change that is characterised by democracy and good governance.
Despite a multitude of serious political, social and economic challenges, NANGO has actively pursued the creation of a positive and enabling operating environment for NGOs by mitigating against negative policy and legislative frameworks, whilst at the same time rallying the sector to actively demonstrate its capacity to self-regulate. From the historic lobby effort against the draconian NGO Bill of 2005, NANGO has continued to advocate the Zimbabwean government to consider enabling instruments for CSOs operations. The sector is faced with a more restrictive bill – the PVO Amendment Bill – gazetted by the government of Zimbabwe to regulate the activities of NGOs. Several NANGO members have already indicated difficulties in their operations due to the government’s interference in their activities.
When the pandemic hit the country in March 2020, the government of Zimbabwe announced a national lockdown in an attempt to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Though merited, CSOs operations have been impacted hugely as a result of COVID-19 induced restrictions. This has further impacted the operating environment as it presented increased difficulties for the CSOs operating environment. Various civil society organisations have attested that both the pandemic and government measures impact heavily on their day-to-day operations.
It is important to acknowledge the growing reality of a shrinking space for civil society actors in Zimbabwe. Various legislative, administrative and policy instruments being introduced have great implications to shrink civic space. International collaboration among civil society networks, social movements and activists is increasingly criticised, penalised and criminalised by governments.
NANGO offers continuous support to its members in the fight to create an enabling environment for civil society organisations by developing solidarity between the platforms.
To promote an enabling environment for civil society organisations – both online and offline – the organisation is involved in the creation of platforms for engagement and unified agenda-setting using the multi-stakeholder approach.
Our work on an Enabling Environment
