The Permanent Secretary (Administration) in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Dr. Gabriel Pollen, has reaffirmed Governmentโs commitment to empowering young people through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), describing the fund as a key driver of inclusive, community-led development.
Speaking at the official opening of a Public Discussion Forum organised by the Southern African Institute for Policy and Research (SAIPAR) at Protea Towers in Lusaka, Dr. Pollen said CDF continues to transform lives by placing development resources directly in the hands of communities.
He noted that through CDF, Government is supporting youth skills development, entrepreneurship, and access to education, while also investing in health facilities, community infrastructure, and local economic empowerment initiatives across the country.
Dr. Pollen highlighted the Youth Empowerment Support (YES) Initiative, a collaborative pilot between the Ministry and SAIPAR, which examined how youth groups interact with Ward Development Committees, Local Authorities, and CDF Committees at grassroots level.
He said the initiative has helped improve youth understanding of CDF processes and demonstrated that decentralised, locally anchored capacity-building can deliver results.
While acknowledging limitations in the pilot, Dr. Pollen stressed that the findings provide valuable lessons on how youth participation under CDF can be strengthened, institutionalised, and scaled for greater impact.
He further disclosed that Government has continued implementing CDF in 2025 and has increased allocations for 2026, reinforcing its commitment to decentralisation and sustainable community development.
Dr. Pollen officially declared the Public Discussion Forum open, calling on stakeholders to use evidence, dialogue, and partnerships to strengthen youth empowerment and value for money outcomes under CDF.
