Teresa Santi participates in one of the DELPAZ participatory exercises in a District in Sofala Province. Credit: UNCDF/Milton Zango

As a new member of the local consultative council of the Gorongosa district in Sofala Province, Lúcia Faria represents her Nhamussungora community with pride.

“Today, I saw that what we brought from the communities, the needs we were talking about, was really being considered,” she affirms on her first day participating in local council meetings discussing the community needs.

“It became clear to the authorities what needed to be done; it shows the government is working, it is listening directly to the problems that exist in the communities”, she continues.

A few months ago, Lúcia became one of the thousands of beneficiaries of the Local Development for Peace Consolidation (DELPAZ) Programme.

Launched in October 2021, the DELPAZ Programme is part of the European Union's support for the implementation of the 2019 Maputo Agreement for Peace and National Reconciliation between the Government of Mozambique and the Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO).

One of DELPAZ’s main objectives is to foster local development in communities previously affected by conflict through the strengthening of local governments capacities and investments to promote social and economic development.

Photo: Female members of the local consultative council in Gorongosa district discuss investment priorities for their communities as part of a focus group discussion. Credit: UNCDF/Milton Zango

Local Consultative Councils

As part of her new role as a member of the local consultative council, Lúcia discusses the community's local priorities and what they consider to be its greatest needs. The proposals are then forwarded to local and then provincial administrations, which are at the frontline in decentralized planning and budgeting for development.

“Without the Government going to the communities, the Government does not know people’s concerns and needs, the government does not know what is happening to people on the ground; that’s why local consultative councils are so important, we link the government to the people”, says Lúcia.

Local consultative councils are the link between the government and the community. Members are selected by their own communities, reinforcing national reconciliation. The council is made up of several social strata. Teachers, religious leaders, businesspeople, young people and now RENAMO former combatants.



Through DELPAZ, local authorities listen to the voices and needs of local communities in defining and selecting essential infrastructure and public services to be provided by the districts themselves to their communities, in order to promote sustainable local development and adaptation to climate change.

“It is very important that women participate in this type of exercise, because women have the right to participate in community development activities”, says Teresa Santi, another local consultative council member in Machanga district, Sofala Province.

“It was great to see that the chosen projects focused on women and the community in general; I voted for the seed kits”, continues Teresa. “It felt like my voice has been listened to for the first time”.

Positive impacts for the whole community

Like other women, Lucia and Teresa prioritize on projects that are the most needed in their communities. The impact of their active participation in the local consultative council brings positive changes to themselves, their families, and their communities.
"Thanks to DELPAZ, I had the opportunity to participate in solidarity camps, where I discovered that I am not alone in facing challenges,” express with gratitude Florinda Tomo, a resident of Cheringoma district.

Photo: Supported by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), women in Sofala Province are connected with socioeconomic opportunities, including by creating new businesses and linking market supply chains to boos local economies. In the photo, women associations prepare for an upcoming market faire to showcase their businesses and products. Credit: ADA/Orquidea Rafael

“Through shared experiences with other women, I gained a sense of camaraderie and support; additionally, DELPAZ provided me with essential agricultural inputs and valuable training, enabling me to enhance my farming practices."
“The delivery of the water supply system was a great blessing too”, she affirms with a smile. “Our farms are thriving, yielding crops that sustain our families and enrich our community; for the first time, we now have running water.”

“But perhaps even more heartening is the sight of our children, especially the girls, who no longer have to choose between fetching water and pursuing their education; the assurance of clean water has brought them back to school, where their dreams and ambitions are nurtured", continues Florinda.

Empowering women enables them to play a significant role in building their communities and consolidating peace.

DELPAZ recognizes that women are the backbone of communities, and that women participation is essential to the development of communities.

Photo: A community member enjoys the new water point in Machanga district. Credit: UNCDF/Milton Zango

Peace in Mozambique

Launched in October 2021, the DELPAZ Program is part of the European Union's support for the implementation of the 2019 Maputo Agreement for Peace and National Reconciliation between the Government of Mozambique and the Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO).

Under the leadership of the Government of Mozambique with the support of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), DELPAZ aims to promote local economic development opportunities in communities that were previously affected by conflict in 14 districts of the Sofala, Manica and Tete Provinces.

UNCDF’s role in the programme is to support the authorities in strengthening the inclusion of local voices in planning and budgeting exercises, as a solid foundation for promoting lasting peace, national reconciliation and inclusive sustainable development.

With support from UNCDF, ADA and AICS, DELPAZ invests in infrastructure, public services, agricultural development and entrepreneurship to boost the economies of communities previously affected by conflict.

Find out more about LoCAL here

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