The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) have formalized funding agreements with eight grantees under the Small Grants Programme, allocating $312,202 (approximately MWK 547 million) to community-driven initiatives across Malawi.
The signing ceremony, held on Tuesday 28 January 2025 at the UNDP Office in Lilongwe, represents a major milestone in supporting grassroots projects addressing critical environmental and developmental challenges.
These projects will tackle pressing issues such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, land rehabilitation, and sustainable energy utilization, contributing to Malawi’s Vision 2063 and global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UNDP Malawi Portfolio Manager Resilience and Sustainable Growth, Rabi Narayan Gaudo, emphasized the programme’s vision and the role of grantees: “Today marks a significant milestone in our collective journey towards sustainable development and resilience building. This initiative is not just a financial transaction; it is a testament to our shared vision of empowering communities, fostering innovation, and driving sustainable change from the grassroots level.
“Among the projects in this disbursement are those focused on mini-hydroelectricity, waste management and wealth creation, biodiversity conservation and green space promotion, land and forest rehabilitation, sustainable energy utilization, as well as fisheries conservation. Your innovation in identifying these areas is instrumental in contributing to the Malawi 2063 Vision and its attendant MIP 10-year plan.”
Gaudo congratulated the grantees, saying, “Your dedication, creativity, and unwavering commitment to your communities have brought you here. You are the true champions of this initiative, and it is your work that will bring our shared goals to fruition.”
The National Steering Committee (NSC) Chairperson, Dorothy Tembo-Nhlema, who is the Programme Manager for the Lilongwe Wildlife Trust, emphasized the significance of collaboration and the thorough selection process undertaken. Out of 93 proposals submitted, eight projects were ultimately recommended for consideration.
She said: “We would like to urge government and council stakeholders to work closely with the grantees to ensure the effective delivery of results. It is also crucial to commit resources for monitoring to ensure that the NSC and office can provide timely feedback on the progress of implementation. The Committee would like to see projects that demonstrate results and bring the required change to the communities.”
The eight funded projects are: Lilongwe Wildlife Centre (Lilongwe): Uniting Resources and Resilience for Biodiversity and Nature (URRBAN), Green Vision Environmental Organization (Rumphi): Promotion of Natural Tree Generation and Adoption of Cleaner Cooking Stoves and Centre for Conflict Management and Women Development Affairs (Blantyre): Strengthening Knowledge and Capacity to Manage Waste.
Also covered are Kawjo Foundation (Nkhata Bay): Smart Fish Production and Processing for a Green Economy (Pro-Green), Tingathe Malawi (Lilongwe): Eco-Briquette Production, Floresta (Nkhata Bay): Nkhata Bay Watersheds Transformation Program and Church and Society Programme, Livingstonia Synod (Rumphi): Mlowe–Tcharo–Msuku Lakescape Community-Based Forest Management.
Further, the agreement will also see the Media and Technology Society of the Youth (Nkhata Bay): Completion of Mchezi Community Hydro Power Project.
The Small Grants Programme (SGP), established in 1992, is a Global Environment Facility (GEF) initiative implemented by UNDP. It empowers communities to take action on global environmental challenges while enhancing livelihoods and well-being.
