Browsing by Author "NAMWINGA, Mclean"

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    Factors hindering Government interventions from reducing Youth Unemployment: A Case of Youth Empowerment under the Constituency Development Fund in Kazimolwa Ward
    (2026) NAMWINGA, Mclean
    The study focused on the factors hindering the effectiveness of the CDF Youth Empowerment Programme in reducing youth unemployment in Kazimolwa Ward in Mbala District, Zambia. The study objectives were to assess the effectiveness of the Constituency Development Fund in implementing youth empowerment designed to reduce Unemployment, identify factors affecting the effective implementation of Youth Empowerment initiative under the Constituency Development and strategies to enhance the effectiveness of Constituency Development Fund to reduce youth unemployment in Kazimolwa Ward, Mbala district. Using a descriptive case study design, the study employed mixed methods, including questionnaires administered to 72 youth, in-depth interviews with 20 key informants, focus group discussions, and document review. Data were analysed thematically and through descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that the CDF’s implementation in Kazimolwa Ward is hampered by multiple factors: limited awareness among youth, bureaucratic application processes, perceptions of unfair and politicised beneficiary selection, gender biases, and inadequate post-disbursement support. Beneficiaries reported insufficient capital, lack of business skills training, poor market access, and absence of mentorship and monitoring. These challenges collectively undermine the programme’s potential to foster sustainable youth entrepreneurship and employment. The study concludes that the CDF, in its current form, functions as a fragmented financial disbursement mechanism rather than a holistic empowerment programme. To enhance its effectiveness, there is a need for integrated interventions that combine simplified procedures, transparent governance, capacity building, mentorship, and market linkages. The study recommends administrative reforms, capacity training for CDF committees, gender-sensitive approaches, and the establishment of a supportive ecosystem for youth enterprises. This research contributes to the discourse on decentralised development and youth empowerment in Zambia, offering evidence-based insights for policymakers, development practitioners, and local authorities to redesign and implement more effective youth-centred interventions. From the findings recommendations were, that the government to simplify the CDF application process by developing standardised, pictogram-assisted forms and local-language guides to make them accessible to youth with varying literacy levels. Further institutionalise absolute transparency by publicly displaying selection criteria, scoring mechanisms, and final beneficiary lists with justifications at prominent community centres.