EP-JSLP Strengthens Community Voices in Katete Through Formation of Grievance Redress Committee
The Eastern Province Jurisdictional Sustainable Landscape Program–Emission Reduction Project (EP-JSLP), under the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, has stepped up efforts to establish and operationalise Community Grievance Redress Committees (GRCs) across its 56 participating chiefdoms in Eastern Province, bringing grievance resolution closer to communities and strengthening accountability, inclusion and transparency.
As part of this initiative, the EP-JSLP Project Implementation Unit (PIU), working in collaboration with District Project Officers (DPOs), Environment and Social Safeguards Focal Point Persons and officers from implementing institutions, conducted a community engagement at Mtandaza Area in Chief Kathumba’s Chiefdom, Katete District, to facilitate the formation of the Kathumba Community Grievance Redress Committee.
The delegation was led by EP-JSLP Assistant Environmental and Social Inclusion Officer, Ms. Lucy Mbewe, and included EP-JSLP Communications Officer, Mr. Creavat Chituta, EP-JSLP Katete and Sinda District Project Officer, Mr. Chewe Kabwe, and Katete Town Planner and EP-JSLP Environment and Social Safeguards Focal Point Person, Mr. David Luswili.
Members of the Kathumba Chiefdom Emissions Reduction Coordinating Executive Committee and other community stakeholders also participated in the meeting.
During the engagement, Ms. Mbewe and Mr. Kabwe emphasised the importance of establishing Community Grievance Redress Committees as a key step towards ensuring that community concerns, complaints and feedback are received and handled appropriately.
They highlighted the importance of confidentiality in the grievance redress process, noting that community members should be able to raise concerns in a safe and trusted environment, with sensitive matters handled discreetly and referred through appropriate channels.
Following the election of the committee executive, the newly elected members received an orientation on their roles and responsibilities in supporting the Project’s Feedback and Grievance Redress Mechanism (FGRM).
The orientation aimed to equip the committee with a better understanding of grievance reception, documentation, referral procedures, confidentiality and the importance of ensuring that concerns are addressed fairly and promptly.
Speaking on behalf of Chief Kathumba, Whyson Phiri appreciated EP-JSLP for its continued engagement with the community and acknowledged the importance of the Program’s interventions.
Mr. Phiri urged the Project to maintain regular visits and provide ongoing guidance and support to the newly established committee, even after the election of its executive, to strengthen its capacity to effectively handle community grievances.
The establishment of the Kathumba Community Grievance Redress Committee forms part of EP-JSLP’s broader efforts to operationalise the FGRM across 56 participating chiefdoms in Eastern Province, in line with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework.
The mechanism provides accessible channels for project beneficiaries, workers and other stakeholders to raise concerns, submit complaints and provide feedback regarding project activities.
It also supports the appropriate and confidential handling and referral of sensitive complaints, including those relating to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH), through safe and survivor-centred pathways.
Through these community-level engagements, EP-JSLP continues to promote meaningful community participation, strengthen local accountability structures and build trust between communities, district teams and the Project Implementation Unit, contributing to the effective implementation of sustainable landscape management and emission reduction activities.
Stronger community structures. Confidential grievance handling. Communities whose voices matter.
Photos by EP-JSLP Communications Unit
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