Local enterprise as a catalyst: Exploring community-led development for security and sustainability in the Save Valley Conservancy

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 complemented 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 resilience. The study proposes a socially embedded framework for inclusive development in conservation areas and outlines clear implications for practice and policy, particularly in designing participatory governance models and sustainable livelihood strategies in ecologically vulnerable regions.