Community Participation in the Delivery of Municipal Council Services in Zambia – A Case Study of Choma District

Abstract

This study sought to explore the nature and extent of community participation in the service delivery by Choma Municipal Council, focusing on the role of community involvement in enhancing local authority services. A mixed method research design, combining qualitative and quantitative methods, was used to investigate the perspectives and experiences of both community members and key informants. The findings show that community members are involved in planning and decision-making processes (70.3%) and implementation (23.4%), with limited engagement in the evaluation process. Legal and policy frameworks, including the Zambia National Decentralization Policy and local by-laws, support community participation. However, 89.8% of respondents feel that these frameworks are insufficient. The study reveals that community participation positively impacts service delivery, aiding local councils in understanding community needs and fostering effective feedback mechanisms. Factors hindering community participation include lack of knowledge and opportunities, lack of interest, and inadequate funding. Recommendations for enhancing community participation include supporting active representation of community members, capacity building for community leaders, promoting transparency and accountability, fostering partnerships with NGOs and civil society organizations, and utilizing radio programs for community sensitization and engagement.