COMMUNITIES VITAL FOR AID SUSTAINABILITY
The ministry and authority will host an NGO Day on Dec. 14 to strengthen government-NGO ties.
LILONGWE, Malawi— The Malawian government is emphasizing sustainability in development projects, urging local non-governmental organizations to partner with international groups, Judgement Katika.
“You’ve seen projects end when an international NGO’s time concludes. We don’t want wasted resources due to lack of local involvement,” Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Jean Sendeza said Monday at a meeting with development partners.
She said implementation should only follow community engagement, ensuring ownership and sustainability.
United Nations Resident Coordinator Rebecca Adda-Dontoh agreed, saying “Nobody can decide your problem and solution. Without community involvement from the start, it’s nothing about us without us.”
Sustainability beyond a project’s lifespan has challenged many NGO interventions. Regulatory Authority CEO Edward Chileka Banda said government departments need capacity to guide NGOs so resources meet priorities.
He cited coordination problems leading to duplicated, unsustainable efforts. “Strong partnerships develop mutual trust to avoid waste,” Banda said.
The ministry and authority will host an NGO Day on Dec. 14 to strengthen government-NGO ties.
“Without community involvement from the start, it’s nothing about us without us,” said United Nations Resident Coordinator Rebecca Adda-Dontoh.