Abstract:
This study investigates how local enterprise development (LED) can
serve as a catalyst for community‑driven development, sustainability,
and security in the Save Valley Conservancy (SVC), Zimbabwe.
Operating within a context of contested land-tenure arrangements
and fragmented governance structures, the SVC faces complex
socio‑ecological challenges. Using focus group discussions comple
mented by thematic analysis as the primary qualitative method, the
research captures collective community perspectives on enterprise
initiatives, conservation priorities, and governance dynamics. The
findings contribute to theory‑building in community development
by illustrating how locally driven enterprises can enhance ecological
stewardship, improve livelihoods and strengthen institutional resili
ence. The study proposes a socially embedded framework for inclu
sive development in conservation areas and outlines clear
implications for practice and policy, particularly in designing partici
patory governance models and sustainable livelihood strategies in
ecologically vulnerable regions.
