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NANGO successfully hosted the 14th Edition of the Annual NGO Directors Summer Retreat from 23 to 25 October 2024 at Troutbeck Resort Hotel, Nyanga, Zimbabwe. This annual gathering provides a platform for CSO leaders to engage in collective reflection, experience sharing, and strategic planning to strengthen civil society in Zimbabwe. With 143 participants from across the country, this year's retreat took place against the backdrop of an evolving civic space, marked by the passage of the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Bill and increasing restrictions on CSO operations.
The retreat emphasized the need for CSOs to adapt and respond to a broader spectrum of challenges, including economic instability, climate concerns such as the looming El Niño-induced drought, and rising social ills like drug and substance abuse. Discussions centered on navigating the regulatory landscape, strengthening advocacy efforts, and fostering an enabling environment for civil society. Participants also explored strategies for countering narratives that discredit CSOs while reinforcing their role in good governance and inclusive development.
As a key outcome, the retreat produced a comprehensive action agenda and resolution blueprint, outlining strategies to safeguard civic space, enhance accountability, and amplify collective impact. NANGO and its members remain committed to championing sustainable development, good governance, and the resilience of Zimbabwe’s civil society sector. This document serves as a guiding framework to drive strategic interventions and ensure a united, impactful, and empowered civil society movement in Zimbabwe.
The NGO Directors Summer Retreat, hosted annually by NANGO, is a flagship event dedicated to fostering experience-sharing, collective reflection, and co-creating innovative solutions to address challenges faced by civil society, non-state actors, and the general public in Zimbabwe. Convened in collaboration with CSOs, development partners, private sector representatives, and state actors, the 14th edition brought together 128 delegates, including local and international CSO leaders, government representatives, and key stakeholders from across Zimbabwe and beyond.
This year's retreat opened with a conference foresight session, setting the stage for engaging discussions and a shared understanding of key priorities. Over two-and-a-half days of dynamic dialogue, participants explored pressing challenges and emerging opportunities within the civic space. The first day focused on two critical sub-themes: "Reflection on the State of CSOs Operating Environment in 2024" and "Shifting Spaces for Strengthening Civic Voice and Participation." These sessions provided a platform for strategic insights and actionable solutions to enhance civic engagement and amplify civil society’s role in governance and development.
To gain deeper insights, download the full report here:
The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) is proud to release the report of the 2nd edition of the Annual CSO Symposium commemorating World NGO Day, highlighting key discussions and outcomes from this important event.
The symposium convened civil society leaders, government representatives, and development partners to explore the critical role of CSOs in advancing sustainable development in Zimbabwe. Held under the theme “Building a Sustainable Future: The Role of NGOs in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” the event featured interactive sessions, knowledge sharing, and networking opportunities focused on sustainability, advocacy, collaboration, and citizen engagement.
The report captures practical insights, recommendations, and best practices to guide CSOs, policymakers, and development partners in strengthening civil society contributions to the SDGs and fostering a sustainable, inclusive future for all.
📄 Access the full report:
The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) is proud to present the Annual Narrative Report for 2024, a comprehensive account of how the organisation has continued to lead, adapt, and deliver under immense pressure.
This report goes beyond numbers. It captures the real impact of civic action in a year defined by complex legal reforms, shrinking civic space, and economic uncertainty. It details how NANGO, together with its members and partners, navigated the evolving policy landscape—especially the controversial PVO Amendment Bill—and remained steadfast in advancing rights-based development, institutional resilience, and localisation.
From facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues to championing policy advocacy, enhancing governance, and delivering strategic convenings like the NGO Directors’ Summer Retreat and the CSO Symposium on World NGO Day, this report reflects our unwavering commitment to protecting and promoting civic space in Zimbabwe.
We invite all stakeholders—government, development partners, and the public—to read the report and engage critically with the insights, lessons, and calls to action that will shape our collective work in 2025 and beyond.
Troutbeck-Resort-Action-Agenda-and-Resolutions-Document.pdf