Zimbabwe

Since 2018, IFIT has accompanied an interdisciplinary group of 16 Zimbabwean thought leaders committed to advancing dialogue and the conditions for inclusive democracy and the rule of law in the country. Due to its multifaceted composition and inclusive methodology, the group constitutes a unique national space for brainstorming and generating creative, realistic and homegrown ideas for overcoming the challenges afflicting Zimbabwe’s society, politics and economy.

The group’s main strategic focus is developing and promoting more realistic conditions and options for national and political dialogue, whilst considering other solutions that could overcome the longstanding polarisation and other deep-rooted crises that have hampered the realisation of reconciliation and constitutionalism in Zimbabwe.

The Zimbabwe Bottom-Up Platform

The ZRG’s, bottom-up dialogue work has advanced to the establishment of the Zimbabwe Bottom-Up Platform (Z-BUP). Born from ZRG’s grassroots dialogue efforts, Z-BUP serves as the vital connective tissue between community action and national policy. The methodology of Z-BUP includes 1) connecting disparate local dialogue initiatives across the country; 2) learning by documenting and absorbing insights from existing grassroots processes; 3) strengthening by capacity-building to fortify local community practices; and 4) scaling by elevating successful local ideas and practices to the national.

Publications

publication-country / 30 March 2025

Promoting Successful and Sustainable Community Dialogue Outcomes: A Practitioner’s Toolkit for Zimbabwe

Recent Commentary

OP-ED

When communities speak, does the nation listen? (November 2025)

This article examines the gap between Zimbabwe’s long-standing calls for national dialogue and the vibrant, often overlooked dialogue traditions thriving within local communities. Drawing on findings from the study Promoting Bottom-Up Dialogue, it highlights how community-led discussions are quietly shaping responses to pressing issues from environmental harm to service delivery. Through cases like the Mazayi River cyanide spill and the Bryden Country School campaign, the piece illustrates how organised, persistent citizen action can elevate local concerns to the national agenda.

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