Through the ZIMACE initiative, Silveira House facilitated consultative meetings focused on Community Share Ownership Trusts (CSOTs), bringing together trustees and district representatives from Gwanda, Mutoko, Zvishavane, Mutare, Tongogara, Mhondoro Ngezi, and Bindura. These engagements provided a valuable platform for stakeholders to reflect on the implementation and impact of CSOTs across different districts.
The consultations aimed to capture key lessons from the existing CSOT framework, while also identifying gaps and challenges experienced at the community level. Participants contributed insights drawn from their district experiences, helping to build a more comprehensive understanding of how CSOTs have functioned in practice.
In addition, discussions explored key governance areas essential to the effectiveness of community empowerment structures. These included board composition, funding mechanisms, revenue sharing models, community participation, and opportunities for developing sustainable local enterprises.
By incorporating perspectives from multiple districts, these engagements support the development of more responsive and inclusive community empowerment frameworks. The insights gathered will inform the design of Community Empowerment Trusts (CEETs), ensuring that future models are better positioned to promote transparency, accountability, and sustainable local development.