The Citizen Report Card (CRC) survey in Solwezi, Zambia, was conducted to assess local democracy and youth inclusion services. The survey is part of ICLD’s Municipal Partnership Programme (MPP), which partners Solwezi with Haparanda in Sweden to improve youth inclusion services. Through this survey, citizens in Solwezi have the opportunity to provide feedback on their experiences with local governance and public services.
Survey Process
The survey was conducted across 411 households in Solwezi using a stratified random sampling method. The respondents, aged between 15 and 35, were selected from 12 wards located in urban, suburban and rural areas, ensuring that the sample represented the city’s demographics. The survey measured key areas of local democracy—participation, transparency, accountability, and equity—along with questions related to sexual and reproductive health services.
Demographic Profile of Respondents
- 51% of respondents were female, 46% were male and 3% identified as other.
- 32% of respondents lived in town areas, 21% in suburban areas and 47% in rural areas.
- 74% of respondents lived below the absolute poverty line.
- 14% of respondents were below 19 years old, 37% between 19 and 25 and 49% were over 25 years old.
Key Findings
1. Participation in Local Democracy
- The Participation Index showed an average score of 0.25, including participants below 25 years old participating less in local democracy in Solwezi.
- Respondents living in suburban areas have higher participation scores than those living in rural and town areas.
2. Transparency and Accountability
- The Transparency Index had an average score of 0.54, with a significant, negative relation with the gender of respondent, meaning that women experience less transparency than men.
- Respondents living in suburban areas, as well as respondents with an income below the absolute poverty line, feel that they know more about what the local government is doing and how to find information.
- The Accountability Index had an average score of 0.42, including a significant and positive relation with respondents with a higher education level as well as with respondents living in suburban areas.
- Respondents below 18 years old, in contrast, scored lower on accountability than older respondents.
3. Youth Inclusion Services
- The Service Delivery Index for youth inclusion had an average score of 0.44, with respondents living in rural areas being more satisfied with the service delivery.
- Respondents with a higher score on transparency indices are also more satisfied with the service delivery.
Key Takeaways and Recommendations
- Involving Youth in Decision-Making: Local governments should create more opportunities for young people to participate in local decision-making, through youth-centred programs, offering skills training and job opportunities, while also improving access to basic services like education, health care, clean water, and sanitation.
- Creating More Platforms for Youth Participation: Young people emphasized the need for accessible physical, digital, and social spaces where they can express their views, engage in governance, and contribute to decision-making processes. They highlighted the importance of timely, clear, and inclusive communication through channels such as WhatsApp, social media, radio, school programmes, and public announcements to share information about opportunities, rights, and council activities.
- Strengthening Community Engagement and Sensitization: Respondents expressed a strong need for more consistent outreach initiatives, including regular community visits, school sensitization activities, mentoring programmes, and awareness campaigns, with a particular focus on governance, human rights, and youth empowerment.
The Citizen Report Card provides the local government of Solwezi with valuable insights to help enhance local democracy, improve youth inclusion, and address the needs of marginalized groups in the community.