Civil Society for Poverty Reduction-CSPR

14/09/2026

CSPR HOSTS DIAKONIA FOR PARTNERSHIP ENGAGEMENT

The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) today received a delegation from Diakonia for an engagement meeting to reflect on the organisations’ long-standing partnership and identify prospects for further collaboration.

The Diakonia team was led by International Director Anna Eggelind and Zimbabwe-Zambia Country Director Dr. Charles Mutasa, while the CSPR team was directed by Finance and Administration Manager Mavis Chirembo and Programs Manager Tommy Singongi.

The discussions centred on fostering collaboration, maximising the use of civil society networks and organisations, and identifying potential to increase the impact and civic participation at the community and national levels.

The engagement also is timed with the development of CSPR’s 2027-2031 Strategic Plan, giving an essential avenue to reflect on lessons learned, build partnerships, and determine future areas of collaboration.

14/09/2026

CSPR MOURNS THE PASSING OF FR. PETER HENRIOT, SJ

The Board, Management and staff of the Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) join the Society of Jesus, the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR), Fr. Peter Henriot’s family, friends, colleagues and the wider civil society community in mourning his passing.

For CSPR, Fr. Henriot’s passing is the loss of a distinguished voice, and pioneer in Zambia’s pursuit of social justice, poverty reduction and economic equity. Through his work, he made a significant contribution to national discourse on poverty, debt, economic justice and development, while advancing greater understanding of the structural causes of poverty and the need for people-centred development.

Fr. Henriot contributed to processes that helped shape and strengthen CSPR as a platform for collective civil society action against poverty and inequality. He shared the conviction that people and communities most affected by poverty must have a meaningful voice in shaping the policies and decisions that affect their lives.

His life and work reflected the values that continue to guide CSPR, justice, inclusion, participation and a steadfast commitment to improving the lives of poor and marginalised communities. His wisdom, solidarity and service have left an enduring mark on Zambia’s civil society and social justice landscape.

The Board, Management, and staff of CSPR remain grateful for his life of faith, service and commitment to justice. His legacy will continue to inspire the pursuit of human dignity and a more just and equitable society.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Society of Jesus, JCTR, his family, friends, colleagues and all who mourn his passing.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

09/09/2026

CSPR ON HOT FM's BEYOND THE HEADLINES.

What does the “Grow Zambia” agenda for 2026–2031 mean for ordinary citizens, and how can its promises translate into better livelihoods?

CSPR Economic Governance Lead, Mr. Emmanuel Zulu, will join host Peter Zulu on Beyond the Headlines to discuss the agenda’s implications, the challenges that may arise, and the opportunities it presents for Zambia’s development.

The conversation will explore what the agenda means for citizens, including the need for inclusive economic growth, improved public services, job creation, and meaningful participation in national development.

📻 Tune in to HOT FM 87.7FM
📅 Wednesday, 9th September 2026
⏰ 19:00hrs

Join the conversation and hear CSPR’s perspective on what it will take to ensure that Zambia’s growth translates into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens.

08/09/2026

MEDIA APPEARANCE ON SKY FORUM HARDTALK.

"Why Are Schools and Hospitals Still Struggling When Government Is Tightening Spending?"

As Zambia pursues fiscal discipline, are ordinary citizens paying the price through struggling public services?

CSPR Economic Governance Lead Mr. Emmanuel Zulu joins Sky FM 88.5 to discuss austerity, public service delivery, and the need to balance economic recovery with the dignity of citizens.

📅 Tuesday, 8 September 2026
🕖 19:00hrs
📻 Sky FM 88.5

Join the conversation and share your views.

08/09/2026

CSPR RESPONDS TO THE AUGUST 2026 TREASURY RELEASE.

What does the K16.1 billion August Treasury release tell us about Zambia’s fiscal position?

The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has assessed the K16.1 billion August 2026 Treasury release, noting that while it demonstrates Government’s efforts to meet critical fiscal obligations, it also highlights the continued constraints on Zambia’s fiscal space.

With approximately 47% allocated to debt service and arrears and only 5.6% to capital expenditure, the composition of the release raises important questions about the resources available for development and frontline service delivery.

📄 Read CSPR’s full analysis below. 👇

08/09/2026

IN NEWS

By Roland Kalangu

The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has warned that Zambia’s poverty rate could exceed 60 percent when the next Living Conditions Monitoring Survey results are released.

Speaking to Hot FM News, CSPR Executive Director Isabel Mukelebai said Zambia has faced several economic challenges since the last survey in 2022, including the effects of the drought, lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and energy shortages.

Ms. Mukelebai said these challenges have negatively affected economic growth, making it unlikely for Zambia to meet its target of reducing the poverty rate to 45 percent by the end of 2026, from the 60 percent recorded in 2022.

She has since called on the government to take bold steps to ensure that public services effectively deliver programmes aimed at reducing poverty.

04/09/2026

CLIMATE PREPAREDNESS TODAY, RESILIENT COMMUNITIES TOMORROW

The Climate Just Communities (CJC) Consortium, represented by the Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR), is participating in the Technical Working Group developing the Multi-Stakeholder El Niño Preparedness and Response Strategy for Zambia (2026–2031),being held in Lusaka from 2–6 September 2026.

CSPR’s participation is anchored in its mandate to contribute to poverty reduction, social justice, inclusive development and improved livelihoods, particularly for communities that are most vulnerable to economic, environmental and climate-related shocks.

The Technical Working Group is translating lessons from the 2023/2024 El Niño drought together with findings from previous stakeholder consultations, into practical priorities, interventions, responsibilities, indicators and financing arrangements for national preparedness and resilience.

Through the Climate Just Communities approach, CSPR is bringing the realities and voices of vulnerable communities into this national process. This includes highlighting the importance of community-led adaptation, climate-resilient livelihoods, sustainable agriculture, water security, and meaningful participation of women and young people.

For CSPR, climate preparedness is not only about responding to disasters. It is fundamentally about protecting development gains, reducing poverty and inequality, strengthening community resilience, and ensuring that vulnerable households are not pushed deeper into poverty whenever climate shocks occur.

A credible national El Niño preparedness and response strategy must connect national policy with the realities of communities. It must support early action before crises deepen, strengthen local capacities and institutions, and ensure that resources reach the communities that need them most.

CSPR remains committed to advancing climate justice and community-centred development, ensuring that those most affected by climate change are not only beneficiaries of resilience interventions, but active participants in shaping the policies and decisions that determine their future.

04/09/2026

DROUGHT RESPONSE IN CHIPATA: WHAT WORKED, WHAT FELL SHORT, AND WHAT MUST CHANGE?

The 2023/2024 drought left many households in Zambia facing crop losses, reduced incomes and growing food insecurity. In response, Government rolled out several interventions to cushion vulnerable communities and support recovery. But how effective were these programmes, and did they reach the people who needed them most?

The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has released the 2023/2024 Drought Response Programmes Social Accountability Assessment Report – 2026, examining the implementation, effectiveness, inclusiveness and governance of three key interventions in Chipata District, Eastern Province: the Emergency Social Cash Transfer (ESCT), Cash-for-Work (CfW), and Wetlands Food Security Packs (FSP).

Conducted across seven wards, the assessment engaged 1,550 participants through household questionnaires, Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions, bringing together evidence and community experiences to assess what worked and where improvements are needed.

The findings show that the programmes made a meaningful difference to many households. Cash-for-Work improved household well-being for 95% of beneficiaries, while 82% of respondents reported increased food production and 76% reported improved food security under the Wetlands Food Security Packs programme.

However, the assessment also highlights challenges that cannot be overlooked. Payment delays affected beneficiaries, agricultural inputs were sometimes delivered late or were of poor quality, and grievance redress mechanisms remained weak or inaccessible to many beneficiaries.

These findings point to an important lesson: effective drought response is not only about delivering assistance, but also about ensuring that support is timely, inclusive, transparent and responsive to the needs of communities.

The report therefore calls for stronger community-based targeting and oversight, more predictable cash payments, improved quality and timely delivery of agricultural inputs, accessible complaints mechanisms, and better coordination between social protection programmes.

It also makes the case for strengthening shock-responsive social protection systems that can help communities prepare for, withstand and recover from future droughts and other climate-related shocks.

For CSPR, the assessment is an important contribution to evidence-based policy dialogue, social accountability and the strengthening of social protection systems that respond effectively to the needs of vulnerable communities.

You can read the full report on our website through the link below 👇

🔗 https://csprzambia.org/2023-2024-drought-response-programmes-social-accountability-assessment-report-2026/

03/09/2026

CSPR POSITION ON PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA’S INAUGURATION SPEECH.
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Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has welcomed President Hakainde Hichilema’s inauguration speech, while calling for the “Grow Zambia” agenda to translate economic stabilisation into tangible improvements in the lives and livelihoods of ordinary citizens.

In its position, CSPR acknowledges progress made during the first term, particularly on debt restructuring and macroeconomic stability, but notes that economic stability must ultimately be measured by what it delivers at the household level, including decent jobs, increased incomes, reduced poverty, affordable public services and greater economic security.

CSPR further calls for clear and measurable targets around the proposed doubling of Zambia’s economy, stronger industrialisation and value addition, reliable and affordable energy, climate-resilient agriculture, youth and women’s economic empowerment, social protection, and accountable use of public resources.

As Zambia begins the 2026–2031 term, CSPR emphasises that the central accountability question remains: Will economic growth translate into better and more secure livelihoods for the people of Zambia?.

🎙️ Listen to the full CSPR position delivered by Executive Director, Isabel Mutembo Mukelabai, in the voice recording below.

03/09/2026