Zambia is one of Norway’s main partner countries that receives Norwegian bilateral development assistance. We have partnered with Zambia since 1967.
29/09/2008 :: In 2007 Norway assisted Zambia with 427 mill. Norwegian kroner of which 382 million was managed through the Norwegian Embassy in Lusaka. Our main areas of cooperation are
Economic and political governance.
Natural resource management, climate adaption and food security.
- Education
- Poverty Reduction budget support.
Important overarching aspects in all Norwegian support to Zambia are women and gender equality and HIV/AIDS.
Norway is actively aligning its development assistance to Zambian priorities, plans and procedures as expressed in the Fifth National Development Plan, The Aid Strategy, relevant sector strategic plans and miscellaneous national laws and regulations. In addition, we are actively harmonising with other cooperating partners to improve efficiency and results, as well as to alleviate administrative burdens on Zambian institutions, be it Government or NGOs.
Our main support within the area of education, has been to Zambia’s national sector programme for education (MOESP), that comprises primary, secondary and tertiary education. As from 2008 these support funds are integrated in our general budget support. This effort is supplemented with a strategic partnership with Norwegian Church Aid and Save The Children, Norway, in cooperation with local Zambian NGOs. In keeping with the United Nation’s Millennium Development goals, Zambia intends to achieve full enrolment for all children in basic school before 2015. So far Zambia has attained good results as far as enrolment is concerned but there are heavy challenges ahead when it comes to the quality of education. The HIV/AIDS epidemic greatly magnifies this challenge.
A major pillar within economic governance is our support to a national reform programme for financial management. This has close links to Norway’s long- term support to the Office of the Auditor General, supplemented by technical assistance from the Norwegian Auditor General’s Office. Norway is also active in its support to Zambia’s anti- corruption efforts.
Within the area of democratic governance, equality and impowerment we have special focus on women and the rights of the poor, including access to justice. Norway also playes a pivotal role in the donors support to the planning and conducting of the national and local elections in 2006 and it prepeared to do the same for the forthcoming elections (2008 and 2011).
Within the area of natural resource management, Norway has over the last year, scaled up its support considerably towards conservation farming, which focuses on climatically adapted agriculture for small-scale farmers. The intension is to facilitate abroad based national programme which also adresses food security and the livelihood of the poor peasant farmers. Norway continues its long-standing support to Zambia’s national parks and wildlife conservation areas. Focus is on biodiversity and sustainable management of these resources. Our support is rendered through the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) and is so far concentrated to South Luangwa and Kafue national parks. These parks have also a big potential for tourism and private sector development. Through long-term Norwegian support, South Luangwa has become one of the best managed national parks in the region.
Poverty Reduction budget support is rendered for the financing of Zambia’s National Development Plan. Budget support is also provided to contribute to a more holistic and effective management of the country’s overall financial resources.
Our budget support provides us with access to key arenas that influence Zambia’s overall development policies and utilisation of the country’s resources, and as such is a cornerstone in our overall development partnership with the government of Zambia.
Zambia has, in contrast to many of its neighbours, had political stability for a long period of time. In the last few years the country has also achieved a reasonably high level of macroeconomic stability. These factors, together with Zambia’s vast natural resources in land, water and minerals ought to have resulted in a significant reduction of poverty levels. However, this has not been the case. This comprises one of Zambia’s biggest challenges and must have consequences for what focus and approach Norway must have to development cooperation.
Norway has consequently changed its approach to development programming. Our partnerships and interventions at all levels are more clearly targeted towards poverty reduction challenges. This includes a strengthened policy dialog with governmental authorities on priorities and ineffectiveness in the execution of policies and programmes.
Increased field visits and increased dialog with local development stakeholders (such as traditional leaders, trade unions, the church and a broad selection within civil society) will provide us with greater knowledge and legitimacy in our policy dialog with Government.
Contact person at the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Lusaka:
Head of Development Cooperation, Mr Gunnar Boe.
For the Norwegian version of the article click here.
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