Communities trained to strengthen Accountability in project implementation
WWF Zimbabwe recently conducted a series of Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) trainings across its project operational areas in Victoria Falls, Mpumelelo Village (Ward 3), Lubu (Ward 11), Muchesu, Chinonge, Ward 16, Kariyangwe, and Mola Ward 3 under Nyaminyami Rural District Council to strengthen community accountability, transparency, and participation in project implementation.
The trainings brought together 66 selected Grievance Redress Committee (GRC) members, comprising men, women, and youth representatives from communities where WWF Zimbabwe and its partners implement conservation and community development projects. WWF Zimbabwe partners with Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust (VFWT), Connected Conservation, and Wildlife Conservation Action (WCA) to support sustainable natural resource management, community livelihoods, and human-wildlife coexistence initiatives in these areas.
The capacity-building sessions were designed to equip committee members with the knowledge and skills needed to receive, document, manage, and refer complaints and feedback from community members in a fair, transparent, and confidential manner
WWF Zimbabwe Gender and Social Inclusion/ ESSF Officer, Chiedza Chirisa, emphasized the importance of creating safe and trusted channels for communities to raise concerns and provide feedback on project activities
“Every project has issues. What matters is how they are handled,”said Chirisa
She highlighted that grievances should not be viewed as negative but rather as opportunities to strengthen project implementation and relationships with communities
“Problems are normal—silence is the problem. When concerns are not addressed, they can grow into larger challenges that affect trust and cooperation between communities and project implementers,” she said
The trainings introduced participants to the purpose and functions of Grievance Redress Committees, complaint documentation procedures, confidentiality principles, safeguarding and referral pathways, conflict resolution approaches, and community feedback mechanisms
Participants learned that Grievance Redress Committees play a critical role in ensuring all community members including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups can safely access grievance mechanisms. The committees also help address environmental and social safeguard concerns, strengthen accountability, promote social cohesion, support conflict resolution, and provide feedback that can improve project implementation
The sessions highlighted the importance of proper complaint documentation. Through practical exercises, participants demonstrated how information can easily be distorted when it is not accurately recorded, reinforcing the need for clear documentation systems and grievance registers
Across the training sites, participants welcomed the initiative and expressed confidence that the knowledge gained would help improve communication and trust between communities and project implementers
Virginia Nyathi (33), a Grievance Redress Committee member from Lubu Ward 11, said the training had broadened her understanding of accountability and community participation
“This training has helped me understand that a grievance is not simply a complaint. It is a way for communities to participate in projects and ensure their concerns are heard. As committee members, we now know how to listen, document issues properly, protect confidentiality, and help communities access solutions in a respectful and transparent manner.”
In Mpumelelo Village, Ward 3, Victoria Falls, Daniso Ncube (65) highlighted the importance of having a trusted system for addressing community concerns
“Projects can only succeed when communities feel heard and respected. The Grievance Redress Mechanism gives people confidence that their concerns matter and that there is a clear process for resolving issues. This helps strengthen trust between communities and organisations implementing projects in our areas.”
Participants also acknowledged the role of the committees in promoting inclusion and ensuring that women, young people, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups have equal opportunities to raise concerns and contribute to decision-making processes
The trainings form part of WWF Zimbabwe’s broader commitment to strengthening community participation, safeguarding, accountability, and inclusive project implementation across its operational landscapes. By building the capacity of local grievance committees, WWF Zimbabwe and its partners are helping create stronger feedback systems that empower communities to actively participate in shaping development and conservation outcomes
As communities continue to engage in conservation, livelihoods, and human-wildlife coexistence initiatives, the strengthened Grievance Redress Committees are expected to serve as an important bridge between project implementers and community members, ensuring concerns are addressed promptly, transparently, and fairly
Communities trained to strengthen Accountability in project implementation
© Kumbirai Comfort Mhandu
Communities trained to strengthen Accountability in project implementation
© Kumbirai Comfort Mhandu
