Firstly, the Environmental Protection Dialogue (EPD) is an activity within the Mining Voices and Alternative Livelihood Preparedness Project implemented in Sinazongwe District of the Southern Province of Zambia. The EPD Primarily contributes to improving the living conditions of the communities in the vicinity of the Maamba and Collum Coal Mines.

The EPD contributes to the Project objectives and indicators; that  Coal Mining Companies Maamba and Collum take on greater social and Environmental responsibility; and that at least ten (10) publications report on at least four (4) important activities implemented by the Maamba and Collum Coal Mines to mitigate environmental degradation, and at least ten protocols (and/or press releases) document that at least 40% of the agreed activities from the tripartite coal mining company, local community and government social responsibility dialogues are funded by the two (2) mining companies, respectively.

Secondly, the Environmental Protection Dialogue (EPD) is an Annual National event that will prompt interface resolution of conflicts and inquire on levels of compliance agreement enforcement, environment impact assessment, resettlement, and compensation plans. The EPD is guaranteed for three (3) years and envisaged to become a global platform event in ten (10) years. In either case, the Environmental Protection Dialogue (EPD) stems from Village Development and Environment Protection Strategic Plans. These plans domesticate the effects and interventions of climate change and the destructive effects of mining activities on the environment, and directly relate to access and ownership of land as critical factors in community engagements

Project Pillar One is: The Environmental Protection Dialogue is meant for facilitation of District Strategic Preparedness Plans that will enhance community participation.  The Environmental Protection Dialogue (EPD) outcomes are a reflection of joint stakeholder action planning to be implemented directly through district intervention Plans and strategies of various stakeholders. Further, the outcomes will influence district and National Environmental Protection Strategies and Policy formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation processes.

Project Pillar two is: The Environmental Protection Dialogue (EPD) will contribute to the effectiveness of the district plans and strategies, which will seek to safeguard Environmental Protection and Climate Change Interventions. The plans and strategies will be developed by the community themselves, and partners will focus on community capacity building activities to increase understanding of policy guidelines and entitlements in environmental protection.

One intervention mode: is that  partners  champion and facilitate the  advocacy process  around the observed issues in the EPD, and  relate  localized  action to national political processes  that will lead to  adoption of proposed actions into major agenda items of most political party campaign messages and manifesto’s starting with the  forthcoming national elections of 2021.

Goals and Objectives

– Primary and Secondary Goals

Environmental Protection Dialogue (EPD); Primarily, the EPD was tailored to operate as an annual platform for stakeholders to explore and deliberate upon issues surrounding policy, plans, mechanisms and frameworks, as well as capacity to attain set national objectives and implement actions related to mining or the extractives sector and its impact on communities living within their vicinity and the environment.

The Environmental Protection Dialogue (EPD); Secondary perspective is to link the nation, region, continent and world to community driven, localized developmental activities that promote resilience and sustainability of nature and people.

– Objectives of the Environmental Protection Dialogue

The specific objectives of the Environmental Protection Dialogue (EPD) as an annual National and International event included:

1. To enact a National platform for interface Dialogue for conflict resolution between civil society, government, communities and Investors on issues to do with environmental protection and conservation

2. To champion the Social Cooperate and Environmental Responsibility (CSER) Model to be employed trough the community based natural resource management approaches to poverty alleviation through enhancing local value chains.

3. To promote community participation and inclusion in National Social and Economic planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation for the good of man and nature.

4. To create a summit of best practices and experience sharing in green practices to sustainable development

5. To create a high level multi-stakeholder civic platform for environmental policy enhancement and action oriented dialogue.