Despite some of the reservations regarding measuring impact, the CIVNET Project has nevertheless had profound implications for those communities that have been systematically marginalised politically and economically over the last 10 to 15 years – and who have only been sought out during election times by the competing political players. The level of consciousness that has been raised through the training programmes has created a paradym shift in how individual community members perceive themselves, how they understand their current realities in their communities and in their country, and what they see as possible in terms of resolving their difficulties. Their perception and analysis of their demands and needs are tested in how they practically manage and implement the “action plans” that have been put in place to deal with their most pressing community issues. The training methodology is participative and builds on the personal and collective experiences of community participants. It therefore allows for a common relevancy that can be identified with by all participants. The training workshops are implemented and facilitated by trainers who have been trained at national, provincial and ward levels. The CIVNET training programmes are facilitated by the Head Office staff. At Provincial level similar training workshops are held over a two day period and are facilitated by Co-ordinators and Provincial Trainers. These trainers in turn train local trainers who implement their own training programmes at ward level. The training at ward level is facilitated by local trainers and assisted by Provincial Trainers. This implementation model for training is commonly used by grassroots organisations and even although it has a far reach and is effective in providing mass education with not much financial cost because generally volunteers are used, the managing, co-ordinating and reporting on these events are highly problematic. Despite the hostile environment in which CIVNET (and other democracy-related organizations) work in Zimbabwe, it is critically important that they continue to receive financial support for their activities, be it in the form of a grant or as has recently been negotiated between CIVNET and Sida, a consultancy contract. Civil society organizations are critical to any form of social mobilization and social change in Zimbabwe. It is by supporting the CIVNET kinds of education training organizations that change eventually will takes place in the country. CIVNET does not overtly promote regime change or advocate mass-action but the education programmes that they offer creates the vehicle and platform for social dialogue around issues impacting on the social fabric of the society. CIVNET has made a great effort to ensure that gender and youth issues, as well as issues relating to people who are being marginalized due to political, social and economic circumstances including HIV/AIDS, are dealt with in their training programmes In Zimbabwe civic education has become a strategic necessity if democracy is going to take root once a settlement has been reached by the political parties. Civic education introduces to citizens basic concepts of democracy, participation, accountability and leadership at various levels of society. Above all, civic education seeks to dispel apathy, fear and intolerance amongst citizens. It presents a potentially great opportunity for mobilization of communities despite the current environment of repression. The youth in both urban and rural areas are a potential source of energy and enthusiasm in civic education programmes, and this opportunity should be seized, as it was in the recent USA elections, in preparation for next elections in Zimbabwe Dn 18/11/08 4 THE CIVIC EDUCATION NETWORK TRUST (CIVNET)) IN ZIMBABWE – Sida EVALUATION 2008:51