Identifying and Analysing Challenges in Accessibility of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Loans and Grants Among Women and Youths in Rural Communities: A Case of Mansa and Samfya Districts

This study, conducted by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) in collaboration with the Zambian Financial Sector Deepening Limited (FSD Zambia), investigates the barriers hindering women and youths in rural areas from accessing Constituency Development Fund (CDF) loans and grants in Mansa and Samfya districts. The research identifies several challenges, including low financial literacy, inadequate awareness of CDF procedures, limited literacy levels among women and youths, scarcity of application forms, and insufficient sensitization activities. Moreover, deficiencies in project proposal development and management capacities further exacerbate the situation. Of particular concern is the poor quality of project proposals submitted by women and youths, largely attributed to the complexity of CDF application forms, low literacy levels, and limited skills in proposal development and project management. These challenges undermine the CDF's objectives of poverty reduction and livelihood improvement in rural communities. To address these issues, the study recommends simplifying the structure, format, and language of CDF application forms, alongside investment in project proposal development capacities by both State and Non-State actors. These interventions aim to empower women and youths in rural communities to develop and submit high-quality project proposals, thereby enhancing the accessibility of CDF loans and grants and facilitating socio-economic development at the grassroots level.