Stakeholders in Plumtree and Gwanda districts, including government officials, traditional leaders, civil society organisations and youth groups, have agreed that collaborative problem-solving is key to tackling the daily challenges facing their communities.
civil society organisations, community-based organisations and young people in Gwanda and Plumtree say working together can help communities respond to some of the challenges they face.
The message came through strongly during random feedback follow-up meetings conducted by the Community Youth Development Trust (CYDT) towards the end of the first half of 2026. The follow-up engagements involved people who had taken part in CYDT activities since the previous year, 2025. Some of these activities included citizen duty bearer engagement meetings and voices fore platforms.
Across the different groups, participants spoke positively about the value of the activities and the changes they believe can bring to their communities. For some, the activities have created opportunities for young people to spend their time in positive ways and stay away from drugs and other harmful activities. For others, they have encouraged communities to work together on practical issues, including keeping their surroundings clean and taking part in local development discussions.
A youth participant said the activities had helped create a stronger sense of togetherness among young people.
“Young people need something positive to do and people who believe in them. When they are involved in activities that bring them together, they are less likely to spend their time in places or situations that can lead them into trouble.”
A local leader said the value of the activities went beyond young people.
“When people come together, they begin to understand that community development is everyone’s responsibility. It is not only the duty of the council or the government. We all have a role to play, whether it is keeping our neighbourhood clean, supporting young people or speaking up about issues affecting our community.”
A youth participant also highlighted the importance of having a voice in local development processes.
“Before, many young people felt that decisions about our communities were made without us. These activities have shown us that we can also contribute ideas and take part in discussions about what needs to change.”
Stakeholders also agreed that creating positive spaces for young people can help them avoid harmful activities, while giving them opportunities to develop their skills, discover their talents and build stronger relationships with others. They said activities such as sports, education, community outreach and other youth programmes can provide young people with positive alternatives while encouraging them to become more involved in their communities.
A CBO official said stronger partnerships could help communities respond to challenges before they become more serious.
“We cannot solve every problem by working separately. When leaders, organisations and young people communicate and support each other, it becomes easier to identify problems early and find solutions that make sense for the community.”
The feedback also pointed to the importance of continued engagement. Participants said collaboration should not only happen during organised events but should become part of the way communities work throughout the year.
For CYDT, the feedback provides an indication of how its activities are being received by the communities it works with. It also highlights the importance of creating spaces where young people and other community stakeholders can meet, share ideas and take part in activities that contribute to safer, cleaner and more connected communities.
The experience from the first half of 2026 suggests that when communities work together, the benefits can extend beyond individual activities. From helping young people find positive ways to spend their time, to encouraging community cleanliness and greater participation in local development, collaboration can help communities build stronger relationships and take greater ownership of the challenges and opportunities around them.