ZGF was established in July 2009 to contribute towards the promotion of government accountability and transparency in the implementation of pro-poor policies through the provision of grants and capacity development support to CSOs. However, ZGF’s mandate has over time shifted from being donor driven to being an organisation dedicated to also use the power of local philanthropy in mobilising resources. In March 2018, ZGF launched its local philanthropy work after having received two grants from Global Fund for Community Foundations (GFCF) that supported the carrying out of a research on local philanthropy in Zambia and the establishment of a community endowment fund.
The initial research conducted by ZGF titled, Beyond Giving: A study of local philanthropy in Zambia, helped to ascertain the trends of giving in Zambia. Overall, the results of the study highlighted the existence of some form of giving, but also the potential that exists for the growth of local philanthropy. Currently, ZGF is piloting its local philanthropy work in Namanongo community, Rufunsa District. The community has since started making small contributions to go towards their community endowment fund. However, more still needs to be done in terms of raising funds locally and mobilising other kinds of support externally.
Given the above, the goal of this study was to provide ZGF with the knowledge to enhance its efforts of linking members of the diaspora to development initiatives in Zambia.
Migration has played a key role in making Zambia the diverse country it is today. However, migration can often be perceived negatively as it leads to the loss of human resources for a country. This report argues that migration must not be seen as a loss, but rather an opportunity for Zambia to reach out to those living abroad and utilise them as a resource. This can be attained through diaspora engagements. The diaspora is broadly defined by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) as “members of ethnic and national communities, who have left, but maintain links with, their homelands” (Aikins & White, 2011). More specifically, diaspora engagement efforts involve finding and communicating with members of the diaspora through policy initiatives to use their resources for development.