16+
Years of Impact
580+
Partners Collaborated With
10
Provinces Covered
50k+
Lives Touched
100%
Local Solutions
About Us
The Zambian Governance Foundation (ZGF) for Civil Society was established as a not-for-profit private company limited by guarantee under the Companies Act Chapter 388 of the Laws of Zambia in July 2009. ZGF was formed to strengthen the institutional capacity and autonomy of civil society organisations (CSO) to engage actively in policy processes and undertake advocacy on behalf of the poor and socially excluded people in Zambia. In 2017, community philanthropy emerged as a new pillar of work following exposure to the concept of community philanthropy promoted by the Global Fund for Community Foundations. The organisation has started engaging in community-led development initiatives using community philanthropy as one of the key strategies. In this new direction, ZGF still remains committed to civil society organisations (CSO) support through various mechanisms including sub-granting and capacity building.
Vision
A Zambian society where local communities realise their rights and shape their own development.
Mission
Local communities and civil society with strengthened capacities to unlock and utilise available resources.
Our Programmatic Pillars
The core strategies driving community-led development across Zambia.
CSO Support
Building the capacity of local organisations to practice active citizenship.
Explore Strategy āStrengthening Communities
Empowering communities to lead their own development and hold the state accountable.
Explore Strategy āCommunity Philanthropy
Advocating for the growth of formal and informal philanthropic giving in Zambia.
Explore Strategy āSocial Media Highlights
All Highlights
CONSULTANCY OPPORTUNITY The Zambian Governance Foundation for Civil Society (ZGF) is inviting qualified consultants to lead the development of its 2027ā2031 Strategic Plan. If you have proven experience in strategic planning, organisational development and facilitating participatory processes within the civil society sector, we encourage you to apply. š Download the Terms of Reference in the attachment for full details on the assignment, qualifications, and application process here: https://mcusercontent.com/c5ee362a1fd0f40ccada54926/files/db5ef7cb-a48d-69fc-4eb5-cb20e8c0a66e/Terms_of_Reference__formulation_of_Strategic_Plan_2027_2031_20.03.2026__Final_1_.docx Deadline: 31 July 2026 To apply, email: procurement@zgf.org.zm #Consultancy #StrategicPlanning #CivilSociety #Zambia #ZGF kindly note that this advert is also running on GoZambiaJobs. @followers
Some conversations are difficult. The most important ones usually are. Yesterday, the Zambian Governance Foundation (ZGF) and our Civil Society Strengthening Fund (CSSF) partners came together for a candid and constructive conversation about the future of our work. At a time when the global development landscape is rapidly changing, we chose to focus on what we can build together. We reflected on the realities of funding, explored new ways of working and challenged ourselves to think differently about sustainability, collaboration and locally led development. More importantly, we reaffirmed that Shifting the Power is not simply about changing who funds development, it is about changing who shapes it. The future of development will not be defined by the size of our budgets, but by the strength of our partnerships, the courage of our ideas and our shared commitment to ensuring communities remain at the centre of change. #ShiftingThePower #LocallyLedDevelopment #CivilSociety #CommunityLeadership #ZGFZambia Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Comic Relief Visionary Women Initiatives Enlight Abilities Prisoners Future Foundation The Healing Balm Foundation Zango Foundation Prisons Care and Counselling Association
We are proud of our CEO š
Featured Initiatives
Explore some of the local solutions we are supporting across Zambia.
The Reverse Call for Proposals
Reverse Call for Proposals (RCfP) The Reverse Call for Proposals (RCfP) is an innovative participatory grantmaking approach that shifts the traditional power dynamics of funding by placing communities at the centre of decision-making. Unlike conventional grant processes where funders define priorities and organizations submit applications, the RCfP enables communities to identify their own needs, propose solutions, and determine which initiatives should receive support. Through the RCfP, ZGF works with community foundations and local actors to mobilize local knowledge, strengthen community ownership, and support locally driven solutions. The approach recognizes that communities are best placed to understand their challenges and opportunities, and therefore should have a meaningful role in directing resources towards initiatives that matter most to them. The RCfP promotes transparency, inclusion, and trust by involving community members in identifying priorities, reviewing proposals, and making funding decisions. It supports grassroots organizations and community groups to implement initiatives that respond to local realities while strengthening the culture of local giving and community philanthropy in Zambia. As the first Reverse Call for Proposals implemented in Zambia, the initiative represents a significant step towards shifting power within the development sector and demonstrating that communities can lead decisions about resources intended for their own development.
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The Shifting the Power Programme
So far, ZGF has worked with 50 CSOs in Zambia under the STP programme
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Youth-led Entrepreneurship and Cooperative Development
ZGF has been working with youth groups in Chawama, George and Mandevu peri-urban neighbourhoods of Lusaka.
Learn MoreReady to Make a Difference?
Join us in our mission to strengthen civil society and promote good governance across Zambia. Contact us at info@zgf.org.zm for partnership inquiries.