Consular Services and Advocacy around Citizen’s Rights.

The Zimbabwean community in Scotland is large and diverse (more than 10 000), and is now made up of those who were born in Zimbabwe and many (possibly more) who were born in the UK to Zimbabwean parents. Whilst this community faces many of the challenges that any immigrant population would face - for example issues around language, access to services, poverty, displacement and racism – many within the community are now well established in Scotland, have gained skills and education, and are making a valuable contribution to Scottish society.

Zimbabweans are making strides in many sectors including medicine, science and technology, education, media, the arts, management and the public sector. However there is a serious issue with access to vital Consular services for the Zimbabwean communities in Scotland and surrounding areas, as services are currently only delivered from central London. There is considerable pent-up demand following the pandemic when people have not been able to travel to London to renew passports, register births and deaths etc. These services are vital for people to maintain up to date documents that entitle them to live, work, receive healthcare, settle deceased estates and participate fully in civic society in the UK.  ZIMSCOT have teamed up with the Embassy of Zimbabwe to deliver accessible consular services through an office in central Glasgow, which is quicker, cheaper and more convenient for many Zimbabweans living in Scotland and the north of the UK to access.

We have an established office (ZimScot House) in central Glasgow which operates as a go-to hub and a one stop shop for the community to have easy access to important Zimbabwean services and products in Scotland. Hundreds of Zimbabweans living in Scotland and the surrounding areas are benefiting from this office by accessing the services and products locally, saving them money and time associated with travelling to London/Zimbabwe for these important services and products. We are continually assessing the needs of the community and undertake ‘surgery’ visits to outlying areas should they be required and are looking to reach and serve thousands of Zimbabweans and friends living in Scotland and surrounding areas in the next 12 - 24 months. 

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Climate Change/ Environmental Workshops and Activities.

We have  established a network of members with whom we are delivering projects that impact the community and environment by supporting our communities to undertake impactful projects including practical steps that significantly contribute to protecting the planet and combating climate change. 

Inspired by COP26 in Glasgow which we fully participated in, our surplus profits will be invested back in the community through practical climate action aimed at projects and activities that reduce greenhouse gases as well as activities that reduce their concentration in the atmosphere.

We're conducting environmental workshops and participating in protecting, restoring and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

Planned activities include a Tree planting project of a variety of 1000 fruit tree per year in collaboration with Grow A Tree Foundation, Schools and Rural communities as described below;

ZimScot is currently identifying schools in Zimbabwe/Scotland depending on the availability of infrastructure such as fencing for plant protection and water. Trees will be assigned to vulnerable students whose growth will be profiled against the growth of trees. Resources to plant 1000 trees across these schools will be equally distributed and this option takes into account the issue of land availability in schools.

ZimScot is also working with communities to conduct tree planting programs. 1000 trees will be given to a community where 500 households are selected to nurture two fruit trees per household. The fruit trees will benefit the community directly through increasing food security and nutrition and income generation.

The initiative will incorporate environmental education and awareness programs. Additionally, the initiative will not only focus on improving the green environment but it will also focus on improving the livelihoods of local communities through addressing basic needs for all people’s well-being. This involves children in dire need of financial assistance to complete their studies of which are mainly affected by climate change. This assistance will be in the form of stationery, textbooks, school fees, and uniforms. The initiative recognises the importance of tree planting activities in ensuring learners, teachers, and the environment they interact with the move towards climate resilience and sustainable development.