OUR PROFILE
Center for Research and Development It is a Trust, established in Zimbabwe in terms of the PVO Act, registered in 2006

Vision
To promote human rights through civic participation for sustainable community engagement.

Focus: Research and advocacy in resource management and civic education to promote human rights.democracy, peace and sustainable development in communities.

Methodologies: Social science research, baseline surveys, community based monitoring, public seminars, community workshops, conferences, policy dialogues, consultative meetings, training and capacity building and publications

Community participation: CRD is guided by the view that community participation is key to the success of any intervention. All CRD projects involve local communities in project planning, implementation and evaluation. Community participation at all levels ensures participatory development and sustainability of the project after CRD has pulled out.

Publications: CRD’s publications is meant to inform and strengthen policy advocacy on natural resource governance, management and good governance.CRD also use its research to disseminate information to its partners and the broader community on the rights of communities to be active participants in the management of resources found in their locality in order to promote self sufficiency.

Beneficiaries: Primary beneficiaries continue to be communities living in areas where natural resource exploitation is taking place. CRD research and advocacy work also informs government and CSO interventions in vulnerable communities in order to safeguard the rights of communities to democratic governance.

Growth and Development
The CRD had its humble beginnings in January 2006 when, with the help of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), it launched its civic education program in Makoni District in Manicaland. The civic education project has now expanded to Mutare, Nyanga, Chimanimani and Mutasa Districts

Unique Features of CRD
Apart from contributing to the body of knowledge, CRD does action research which guides policy and interventions that promote management of natural resources for sustainable development of comunities in Zimbabwe.Conflicts associated with resource mismanagement has severed the lives of rural communities in Zimbabwe. Hundreds of artisanal miners have perished whilst thousands have suffered severe injuries after being caught panning for diamonds and gold. The Centre mobilizes communities to collectively engage government and policy makers on resource management to ensure multiplication of benefits for the communities whilst at the same time safeguarding the environment.CRD also work with communities in formulating peace building strategies or models that are rooted in local knowledge in order to achieve positive peace and development. Thus CRD is engaging mining companies through Community Based Organisations(CBOs)to support the implementation of intergrated sustainable developmental projects that empower communities,upholding human rights and building bridges of peace.CRD also provide capacity building training activities to CBOs to increase their knowledge on resource management.

Networking
CRD is a member of the National Association of Non Governmental organizations (NANGO).The CRD is also a member of Publish what you Zimbabwe Chapter and collaborates with members in research and advocacy initiatives to promote transparency and accountability in the extractive sector. On the continent CRD is a member of the Governance of Africa’s Resource Network (GARN).

Notable achievements
CRD was instrumental in bringing human rights abuses that took place in Chiadzwa diamond fields to the attention of the National, Regional and international community through the KPCS. This culminated in international outrage, with several governments and international organizations calling on the Zimbabwean authorities to refrain from using violence against artisanal miners and Marange villagers. In 2009 CRD received the Crisis Coalition award for Outstanding Work in Promoting Democracy and Good Governance in Zimbabwe.