Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS)
Overview
The Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) is one of the Zambia Research and Development Centre's flagship data-driven development programs. Launched in 2014, CBMS is designed to generate localized, household-level data that informs evidence-based planning, policy formulation, and service delivery across Zambia.
Unlike top-down statistical systems, CBMS places communities at the center of data collection and interpretation, ensuring that development interventions respond to real, measurable needs at ward and district levels.
Purpose and Objectives
The CBMS program aims to:
Generate reliable, community-level socio-economic data
Track progress on poverty reduction, SDG attainment, and national development goals
Support local authorities and government ministries with actionable evidence
Strengthen community participation in development planning
Improve targeting and effectiveness of public and donor-funded programs
Key Focus Areas
CBMS monitors indicators across multiple sectors, including:
Geographic Reach and Impact
Operational in 120 wards across Zambia
Supporting district councils, ministries, and development partners
Used as a planning and monitoring tool for local and national development initiatives
Strategic Partnerships
CBMS is implemented in collaboration with:
Government of the Republic of Zambia
KAIST Research Institute (South Korea)
Information and Communications University (ICU)
Local authorities and community structures
These partnerships ensure technical rigor, policy relevance, and sustainability.
Why CBMS Matters
CBMS provides granular, disaggregated data that national surveys often miss. By capturing realities at the household level, the system enables smarter investments, better targeting of social programs, and stronger accountability in development planning.