MS in Zambia

To MS Zambia democracy is not an end in itself. It is also a means to fight injustice, marginalization and poverty.

MS Zambia, the Danish Association for International Co-operation in Zambia, works on building local democracy and land rights. In collaboration with local organizations, we find the causes of poverty and help empower local communities so that they may improve their situation.
Furthermore, MS Zambia works with a number of national organizations to strengthen civil society, to enable it to influence the government towards legislative changes. This could, for example, be a land reform to the benefit of the poor.

MS Zambia supports the decentralization-process in the Zambian government and administration. By moving power and funds from the central government to local the government, important decisions will be made closer to the citizens, and that’s one of the key-issues of democracy.
MS Zambia has been present in Zambia since 1968. To day we work closely together with 21 partner-organizations, both local and national organizations. We are currently present in the provinces of Luapula, Lusaka, and the Eastern Province. These areas have a total population of 3,472,855.
For more information read The Annual Report 2007.
A new country program strategy clearly focusing on building local democracy, anti-corruption and land rights has started its implementation from January 2008. MS’ overall aim remains poverty reduction.

MS Zambia has been present in Zambia since 1968.

The partner concept
MS believes that mutual understanding and respect are the foundation for development co-operation, and MS works in partnership with local organizations to address poverty and improve democratic practices. In Zambia the partners are a mixture of national organizations, networks and government organizations – e.g. district councils – and non-governmental and community based organizations at district level and below – e.g. District Farmers Associations.

All partners are chosen because they are the ones best positioned to be part of transforming MS Zambia’s strategy to reality on the ground.

Program Officers and Development Workers
MS Zambia is not a mere donor agency. Our program is focused on exchange of knowledge and personnel assistance. Three Programs Officers share the overall responsibility of our partner portfolio, approximately 13 Development Workers work closely together with the partner organizations as facilitators and advisors. Knowledge sharing and personnel assistance is a core aspect of MS’ development policy.

Program management
MS Zambia’s country office is located in Lusaka and the Director of MS Zambia is the sole person directly responsible to the mother organization in Denmark. The country office is organized with a program section maintaining partnership relations and an administrative section taking care of accounts, logistic, staff matters and secretarial functions. The work is based on clearly defined job functions with the largest possible delegation of responsibility.
Organizational structure

MS Zambia has a democratic organizational structure with a Policy Advisory Council (PAC) and Annual Meetings.

The Policy Advisory Council meets several times a year and serves as an advisory body on policy issues for the program. It also monitors the performances and advises the country office on matters relevant to the partners.

The Policy Advisory Council has 9 members. The partners and the Development Workers elect each three representatives and the country office nominates the last three independent members.

Once a year, representatives of all MS Zambia’s partners, all Development Workers, Country Office Staff and special invited guests come together at the Annual Meeting.

The Annual Meeting has a consultative status in reviewing the program and discussing its further development. It is at the Annual Meetings the participants elect members for the Policy Advisory Council.