ZCSD was formed in 1974 by the Zambian Govern and was registered under the Registrar of Societies CAP 119 of the Laws of Zambia in 1975, with the registration number of ORS/102/33/223. ZCSD was hosted in the Ministry of Community and Social Welfare as a parent ministry.  We facilitated the creation of Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) in ministry of Community Development to specifically deal with disability issue which ZCSD used handle on behalf of government as part of social protection services.

Improved lives for the vulnerable where people are healthy, educated, motivated, and empowered to make informed choices.

Promoting and facilitating sustainable, socio-economic development through collaboration and networking among Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), Community Based Organisations (CBOs), partners and other stakeholders.

ZCSD is a membership based organisation. Currently the organisation has a membership of more than 200 NGOs which are spread in all the ten (10) provinces of Zambia. At provincial level ZCSD operate through Provincial Liaison Organisations (PLOs). PLOs are selected member CSOs building linkages and networks among provincial members of ZCSD. This is aimed at enhancing outreach and collaboration among member CSOs.

ZCSD focuses its attention on building the linkages, collaboration and sharing of information between district/provincial CSOs, CBOs FBOs, and national and regional CSOs. ZCSD is the national member to SADC Council of NGOs, World Citizens Participation (CIVICUS), Africa Working Group on Sustainable Development (AWG) and International Platform for Regional and National NGOs (IFP). This makes ZCSD an ideal for regional and international networks that benefits local Civil Society Organisations and the nation at large.

ZCSD provides back-stopping, advice, support, mediation and training of key-district and provincial CSOs, in order to enhance their ability to participate in the democratic debate, lobby and advocate for real policy change. ZCSD also focuses on supporting social and economic movements like the Zambian Social Forum (Social Movement) and Civil Society Poverty Observatory Group (CS-POG Economic Platform) to enhance young people’s awareness of social and economic issues and increase people’s popular participation in the democratic process.

ZCSD promote, support and defend Civil Society Organizations that are critically interacting and influencing policy and decision-making in Zambia at all levels. ZCSD believes that to make a real difference in furthering the democratic process and developing Zambia, civil society organizations need to be informed, empowered and independent.