In 2025, ActionAid Zambia (AAZ) delivered an integrated program portfolio of cross-thematic projects aligned to its Strategic Plan and grounded in Feminist Principles and a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA). Operating within a challenging environment characterised by prolonged drought, constrained civic space, political uncertainty, and shrinking development financing, AAZ remained steadfast in advancing its priority areas: climate justice, resilient livelihoods, accountable governance, economic justice, youth leadership, and women’s rights.
AAZ prioritised women and young people as rights-holders and agents of change, strengthening community resilience while influencing structural policy reforms at the national level. Through community-led agroecology initiatives, particularly with women smallholder farmers, AAZ enhanced climate resilience, household food security, and sustainable livelihoods. These grassroots efforts were complemented by national advocacy that contributed to increased public financing for sustainable agriculture and stronger policy momentum around farmers’ seed rights, reinforcing food sovereignty and environmental sustainability.
In the extractives and natural resource governance sector, communities were supported to demand transparency, accountability, and equitable benefit-sharing, particularly in artisanal and small-scale mining areas. Women emerged as leaders in advancing Gender-Responsive Public Services (GRPS), demonstrating AAZ’s commitment to shifting power relations and embedding feminist leadership at the community level.
AAZ also strengthened democratic governance and economic justice by supporting citizen monitoring of public resource mobilisation and expenditure. Engagement with duty bearers contributed to tangible policy dialogue and action on progressive taxation and sustainable debt management, key pillars of equitable development and long-term economic resilience.
Even within a constrained civic environment, the organisation expanded safe civic spaces and reinforced citizen agency.
Youth leadership remained central to AAZ’s strategy. Youth-led advocacy successfully expanded access to youth-friendly Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services and institutionalised mechanisms for sustained youth participation in national civic processes. By amplifying young people’s voices and supporting inter generational organising, AAZ advanced inclusive governance and social accountability.
Overall, the 2025 portfolio demonstrates the effectiveness of integrated, feminist, and rightsbased programming in delivering immediate, community-level improvements while advancing long-term structural transformation. By combining local organising with national policy engagement, ActionAid Zambia strengthened the agency of women and youth, deepened accountability, and contributed to building a more just, resilient, and equitable Zambia.