7 The profiling of CIVNET as an organisation that has access, through its grassroots activities, to the views and aspirations of the majority of the people in Zimbabwe is invaluable knowledge and provides critical insights into Zimbabwean society. This information should be packaged in such a manner that it will provide maximum exposure for the organisation and will assist CIVNET to mobilise resources. 8 An internet based information dossier to be produced in which trends, perceptions, views and general analysis about the conditions on the ground, as witnessed and experienced by the CIVNET facilitators and trainers are shared with a broad audience at national, regional, continental (AU) and international (Commonwealth, EU, UN, COMESA and other intergovernmental and non governmental bodies) fora. This information could also be packaged in a way that it could be distributed to policy makers in Zimbabwe, regionally (SADC) and internationally. Appropriate technical and analytical skills would be needed to package this information in a way that is accessible to this audience. CIVNET may consider outsourcing the research, analysis and writing up of the information to experienced researchers based either in Zimbabwe or in the diaspora. 9 CIVNET is an effective mass based training organisation that has developed a reputation for its sensitivity and responsiveness to predominantly marginalised people in rural communities. Since 2005 the organisation has successfully extended its programmatic reach into urban areas. These skills and expertise could be shared in other regional countries and through networks like the Open Society Initiative for Africa24 which has access to former Eastern European countries that are struggling with similar development issues to those in southern Africa. 10 The conceptualisation of the Leadership Project is strategic and needs donor support as it will form the nexus for social mobilisation in the next couple of years. 11 It would be useful to conduct a “scientific” evaluative process of the activities undertaken by CIVNET. This could be in the form of a survey which would be most helpful to gain a broader understanding of what the issues are that have had an impact on the training course participants, where difficulties have arisen in the programme and ultimately how the power relations and processes of accountability have improved within the community structures, or not. It will also provide critical and valuable insights into what issues need to be included into the content of the programmes provided by CIVNET and other civic education and leadership training initiatives in Zimbabwe. In addition this could be a very important tool by which to measure the empowerment of programme participants and where adjustments need to be made. It would be also be a useful mechanism to measure behaviour and attitude change in communities exposed to the CIVNET training workshops. The results of a survey of this nature could be of great assistance to other non governmental partners to inform their plans and strategies for more effective campaigns, workshops and training in the future. It is therefore recommended that CIVNET initiate the survey after consultation with similar organisations in the broader NGO community and that international partners be approached to assist in establishing a basket fund to support the project. 24 Which is headed up by a Zimbabwean national now living in New York 20 THE CIVIC EDUCATION NETWORK TRUST (CIVNET)) IN ZIMBABWE – Sida EVALUATION 2008:51