Small community groups in Zomba District are set to receive financial support under a three-year initiative launched by Tikondwe Community Based Organization (CBO) and Mudzi Connect.
The Community Giving Initiative will target groups in Group Village Headman Machinjiri’s area under Senior Chief Malemia, giving them an opportunity to secure funding for projects they identify as priorities.
The initiative will support Bank Mkhonde groups, Village Development Committees (VDCs), community-based organisations and mother groups to drive development in their communities.
Tikondwe CBO programmes manager Michael Sumani announced the initiative during a meeting with the District Executive Committee at Zomba District Council, where he briefed officials on the project.
Sumani said Tikondwe would also help the groups prepare funding proposals to submit to Mudzi Connect for their proposed development activities.
He said the initiative was designed to complement government development efforts and contribute towards achieving Malawi 2063, the country’s long-term development blueprint.
“We will work with existing development structures in GVH Machinjiri, under Senior Chief Malemia, and we want the communities themselves to choose the development projects they want to implement,” said Sumani.
He urged community groups in the area to work with Tikondwe and use the opportunity to advance their development priorities. He also thanked district officials for allowing the initiative to be implemented in the district.
Acting director of community and social services at Zomba District Council Paul Simfukwe commended the organisations for the initiative, saying the council would provide technical guidance to support its successful implementation.