Online Reporter
Judith Phiri, Zimpapers Business Hub
THE Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation (Zelo) has launched a new initiative titled Promoting Equitable and Sustainable Natural Resources Management (ProNRM), aimed at fostering responsible mining, trade and investment practices that uphold environmental, economic, social and cultural rights (EESCRs).
Supported by the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency (Sida), the project seeks to ensure that benefits are realised by marginalised communities, Zimbabwean citizens and other key stakeholders.
Zelo stated that the project will run until December 2028, marking a strategic expansion of its previous collaboration with Sida. From 2021 to 2025, the partnership successfully strengthened community-level governance for food security and climate resilience in the Gutu, Gwanda and Binga districts.
“This new phase aims to broaden its impact by reinforcing sustainable and equitable natural resources management in Zimbabwe, with a particular focus on the districts of Bikita, Chiredzi, Gutu, Gwanda and Zvishavane. The promotion of responsible mining is also a priority target,” said the organisation.
Swedish Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Per Lindgärde, emphasised that sustainable management of land, forestry, water and wildlife is fundamental to Zimbabwe’s long-term prosperity and food security.
“By improving resource management in districts such as Chiredzi and Bikita, this project addresses the root causes of vulnerability and supports a pathway towards sustainable development.
“The strategic scope of ProNRM is what makes it particularly compelling. By operating at local, national and even regional levels, the project acknowledges that change must be holistic.
“It recognises that for advocacy to be meaningful, a community in Bikita must have a voice in decisions affecting their land and water. This holistic approach is a hallmark of effective and sustainable development,” he said.
Zelo Deputy Director, Mr Shamiso Mtisi, described the ProNRM project as a collective commitment to aim higher and reach further.
“It is anchored in the principle that natural resources must benefit all people, and it will continue to champion the voices of communities, with a deliberate focus on empowering women and the girl child,” he said.
The project outlines key objectives to be achieved by December 2028, including the improvement of sustainable management of land and natural resources — forestry, water and wildlife — for the benefit of marginalised communities in Chiredzi and Bikita districts, as well as other stakeholders.
Official inception and launch events were held to gather stakeholder feedback on the project plan, strengthen buy-in at all levels, and facilitate a unified understanding of implementation strategies and collaboration frameworks.
The event was attended by representatives from the Embassy of Sweden to Zimbabwe, community-based organisations, Rural District Councils, Government ministries, the Parliament of Zimbabwe, the Environmental Management Agency, the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (Zida), and Plan International Zimbabwe, among others.
The launch of ProNRM marks a significant step forward in Zimbabwe’s pursuit of balanced economic development, particularly within the extractive industries, while prioritising environmental protection and equitable community benefits.
Zelo (formerly known as the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association – Zela) is a Zimbabwean public interest environmental law organisation. Its rebranding reflects a strategic evolution aimed at enhancing its impact by aligning with global non-profit trends and national legal requirements, thereby improving operational flexibility, credibility and its ability to serve communities in promoting environmental justice and sustainable natural resource management.
