Dear Partners and Stakeholders
The year 2025 was a demanding and defining year for civil society in Zimbabwe. The enactment of the Private Voluntary Organisations Act and the global closure of USAID significantly narrowed both civic and resource space. Despite these challenges, CNRG remained steadfast in its mission—continuing community outreach in mining-affected areas while engaging policymakers at national, regional, and international levels to advance accountable and people-centred natural resource governance.
At the national level, we opened new frontiers in Zvishavane and Chimanimani, responding to the twin crises of unregulated mining and climate change. Our work strengthened community capacity to claim environmental rights, advance gender justice, and demand responsible mineral governance. Through targeted programmes, we empowered women and youth in mining communities with legal knowledge, supported community-led water monitoring initiatives, and facilitated structured dialogue between communities and duty bearers. These processes have contributed to improved oversight of critical water sources and laid the groundwork for stronger accountability in environmental governance.
CNRG also amplified community voices through research, public advocacy, and storytelling. We partnered with the Zimbabwe Gender Commission to document the impacts of mining on women’s livelihoods and to strengthen responses to gender-based violence in extractive contexts. We produced a hard-hitting documentary on the socio-economic and environmental impacts of Dinson Iron and Steel Company’s operations in Manhize, bringing national attention to community concerns while opening space for constructive engagement with the company on remedial action. Our joint study on lithium mining, launched in Europe, exposed the hidden social and ecological costs of the critical minerals rush and challenged dominant narratives around “green” transitions.
Our youth-focused initiatives, including the Natural Resource Governance and Accountability School, deepened intergenerational learning and elevated youth voices in climate and extractives discourse. We also strengthened public engagement through the launch of our WhatsApp News Channel and a series of radio programmes on the energy transition, ensuring timely, accessible information reaches frontline communities.
Beyond our borders, CNRG stood in solidarity with global movements confronting extractivism and the climate crisis. We contributed to the Renewable Energy Master Plan for Hwange Local Board, hosted the annual People’s COP, and supported people-led climate analysis under the Tarkash Collective. Through the People’s COP30 process, we convened diverse constituencies to craft the Harare Declaration, calling for justice-driven climate finance, community ownership of energy transitions, and strengthened accountability. We further advanced these demands at COP30 in Belém and the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi, advocating for binding standards on Free, Prior and Informed Consent and mine closure and rehabilitation.
As we reflect on 2025, we are humbled by the breadth of what was achieved under difficult circumstances. These milestones were made possible by the steadfast solidarity and trust of our strategic and funding partners. We thank you sincerely and look ahead with renewed purpose to deepen impact, defend civic space, and centre justice in natural resource governance in the year ahead.
In solidarity,
Farai Maguwu
Executive Director, Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG)