The British Embassy provides funding for small community driven, developmental projects under the Britain Zimbabwe Community Partnership Programme. The Primary objective of the scheme is that of poverty alleviation and is mostly targeted at the poorer and disadvantaged members of the community. Most of the projects funded under the programme are activities that have a positive bearing on the welfare of the communities or projects that aim to improve their incomes and ensure sustainable development.

The various kinds of projects considered under the programme are:

Schools – Classroom blocks, sanitation and water developments, science equipment and laboratory fittings, renovations & improvements of infrastructure and furniture.

Health – Consideration is given to remote institutions that offer services to the disadvantaged with emphasis on orphans and HIV/Aids.

Support will include: Provision of equipment Construction and expansion Services to health institutions e.g. piped water and electrification.

Water & Sanitation – Income generating projects or community water projects, which aim to improve the quality of life e.g. Irrigation Community boreholes and piped water projects

Dam construction Humanitarian Assistance – Provision of relief assistance to vulnerable groups and drought hit areas.

Environmental projects – projects which recycle and/or reuse materials, which can be shown to be energy efficient, incorporate environmentally friendly techniques, promote environmental stability or have a conservation approach/contact.

Micro Enterprise Development – Support not confined to specific

The programme does not consider:

• Projects that benefit individuals
  
• Projects from private commercial business
  
• Academic sponsorship/scholarship
  
• Single or extended family projects

  Funding criteria

 When deciding on projects to fund the following points will be considered:

• Benefits to the poor/disadvantaged should be readily identified
  
• They should enhance the productive capacity of people and improve their incomes and enable them to sustain their lives. These projects must demonstrate the ability to directly/indirectly generate income
  Preference is given to community driven projects i.e. those which show strong community initiative and participation. Self-help and commitment by applicants, this may be financial and/ or contributions in kind e.g. providing labour/raw materials.
  
• The projects must be able to improve the welfare of communities, this will be through humanitarian support
  Project sustainability – applicants should thus explain how recurrent/-operating costs would be met.
  The ability of the project to operate and maintain any equipment provided and that skills required to do so are present amongst members. Indication of addition skills training should be documented.
  
• Income generating projects must show that they have done a thorough feasibility study. The programme also works in partnership with the corporate world and various NGO e.g. Delta Corporation, Justice for Children Trust and Pump Aid. For more information about how to apply for funding, or how you can contribute to the Scheme, please contact Andrew Ndawana, BZCPP, British Embassy, P O Box 4490 Harare Tel: (+263 4) 338795 -  338825 Fax: (+263 4) 338827  E-mail: andrew.ndawana@fco.gov.uk