Empowering Communities Through Citizen Voice and Action: A Path to Better Public Services in Chongwe East Area Programme
By Teddy Mofya, Development Facilitator CESP, Zambia
His Royal Highness Chief Bunda Bunda of the Soli people has applauded World Vision Zambia's Citizen Voice and Action (CVA) approach for transforming community engagement in Rufunsa District. Recognising the tool’s power to drive accountability and improve essential services, Chief Bunda Bunda hailed CVA as a catalyst for sustainable development in his chiefdom.
Citizen Voice and Action (CVA) is a local-level advocacy methodology developed by World Vision that empowers communities to demand better public services and hold their governments accountable. CVA equips citizens with knowledge of their rights, existing government policies, and service delivery standards, enabling them to constructively engage with service providers and decision-makers. The programme unfolds in three main phases: enabling citizen engagement through community gatherings, improving services and influencing policy. CVA directly contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 16, which focuses on peace, justice, and strong institutions.
A significant milestone was recently achieved when World Vision Zambia, through the Chongwe East Area Programme, handed over translated copies of the CVA Field Guide in Soli to Chief Bunda Bunda and 50 traditional leaders. This initiative aims to strengthen local communities' understanding of government policies and service delivery standards, ensuring that citizens can effectively engage service providers to improve child well-being.
World Vision Zambia employs the CVA approach to empower communities to advocate for better services in a non-confrontational manner. This methodology enables local citizens to hold their governments accountable in key sectors such as child protection, gender equity, healthcare, nutrition, agriculture, education, climate action, and local authority services.
At the official handover ceremony held on March 30, 2025, at Bunda Bunda Palace, Chief Bunda Bunda expressed his gratitude for the translated field guides and World Vision’s continuous investment in his chiefdom.
“We would like to thank World Vision and applaud you for the work you are doing in our communities, particularly for training the respective leaders in my chiefdom in CVA,” said Chief Bunda Bunda. “I urge all leaders and community members to safeguard these resources and ensure they are used effectively to enhance service delivery in our villages.”
The significance of CVA in driving community-led development was also emphasized by Chongwe Cluster Manager Rita Mapala, who reaffirmed World Vision Zambia’s commitment to sustainable partnerships with local leadership.
World Vision Zambia in Rufunsa will continue to work and partner with Bunda Bunda Chiefdom in order to bring development and lasting change that will help safeguard the lives of boys and girls in Rufunsa District,” she stated.
Echoing this sentiment, Community Engagement and Sponsorship (CESP) Technical Manager Kalimansi Sinyangwe highlighted the broader impact of CVA training.
“This training aligns with the CESP second outcome, equipping communities to take charge of their own development,” he remarked.
The CVA approach has already begun to yield positive results in Chongwe East AP, with local communities now more equipped to engage relevant authorities constructively. By simplifying and translating the CVA Field Guide into local languages such as Soli and Chewa, World Vision Zambia has ensured that advocacy tools are accessible to all, fostering inclusivity and enhanced participation.
As the CVA initiative continues to take root, it is expected to bring transformative change to Rufunsa District, where empowered citizens actively advocate for quality services, ultimately improving the well-being of children and families. With the dedication of traditional leaders, government stakeholders, and World Vision Zambia, the future looks promising for communities in Chongwe East AP.