What happens when local authorities and communities don’t have an open channel for communication, and mutual trust is lacking - and then climate disaster strikes? How can storytelling and grassroots knowledge build relationships and lead to action for both communities and local authorities? 

In 2019, the region of Chimanimani in Zimbabwe was hit by Cyclone Idai. Many people lost homes and family members; young people in particular foresaw their future prospects impacted by climate change, and experienced an increase of poverty and gendered violence. 

In 2023, local charity Green Governance Zimbabwe Trust piloted a Legislative Theatre initiative, bringing young people, community elders, and council leadership together for a performance that asked the question: what is the council doing to manage the risks of the next climate disaster, and how can young people, women, and the whole community be central in that effort? 

Community elders spread the invitation, ensuring a large and eager audience, and through humour and playfulness, the performance gave the young people legitimacy to gently critique barriers to participation and access to information. Through the interactive forum, residents and even some government stakeholders were surprised to learn that the council had already made a policy plan for climate resiliency, which had been lying dormant for several years. One resulting commitment was to circulate this plan among the residents of Chimanimani, and involve women, young people and all residents in its implementation - and to use legislative theatre on other local issues as a way to open up dialogue and foster transparency!