Kivu was asked by FCDO to design and implement a three-year economic policy influencing programme in Zambia. The programme took an issues-based and politically-informed approach to policy influencing and resulted in several key institutional and policy changes. The aim of the programme was to influence policy on topical issues, in a politically informed way. This was achieved through working with a range of local partners including: think tanks, business organisations, civil society organisations, , sector-specific stakeholders and faith groups. Working with these partners, Kivu identified issues on which there was scope for change, and then designed and implemented policy influencing strategies that were tailored to the prevailing political context. Kivu provided specialist technical advice to local partners on all aspects of policy influencing; managed a range of issues-based projects; facilitated and coordinated collaboration between partners; managed a flexible grant facility; and provided overall output management.
Kivu successfully facilitated and coordinated coalitions and partnerships between a range of Zambian actors to advocate for change. For example, we coordinated an alliance of church leaders, business leaders, young Zambians, civil society organisations, and research organisations to raise the salience of sovereign debt. FCDO awarded Kivu an A++ for its approach to convening and facilitating policy influencing coalitions.