The Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CISONECC) – Malawi’s renowned climate change network – has emphasized that civil society organizations (CSOs) can significantly enhance their impact in building climate-resilient communities if adequate funding is made available.
CISONECC National Coordinator Julius Ng’oma made the sentiments during a two-day capacity building workshop on resource mobilization for district civil society networks in Dowa district.
Ng’oma said the CSOs have the knowledge and solutions needed to combat the impacts of climate change, but their ability to implement the interventions is hindered by limited funding and expertise in resource mobilization.
“If there is availability of funding, CSOs can implement interventions to address the climate change impacts that communities across the country are facing. CSOs have the solutions and what is required is the expertise to access the funding that exists,” he said.
Also speaking during the session, Proposal Development Specialist for Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) Malawi Happiness Zidana urged CSOs to have project ideas that will address the vulnerabilities that communities are facing.
“A well-crafted project idea ensures it resonates with community needs and aligns with donor priorities, making it more likely to secure funding,” she said.
Esther Chinkhadze, a Senior Programmes Facilitator at ZOE Empowers Malawi, applauded CISONECC for addressing the knowledge gap in climate change management and resource mobilization.
One of the participating CSO representatives, Esther Chinkhadze, a Senior Programmes Facilitator at ZOE Empowers Malawi acknowledged the knowledge gap that exists in climate change management and resource mobilization.
She lauded CISONECC for building their capacity which would be vital in both programming and ensuring funds are secured to implement projects addressing the needs of the communities that the CSOs represent.
“This training will be instrumental in improving our programming and securing funds to implement projects that directly respond to the needs of the communities we represent,” Chinkhadze remarked.
Financial constraints have long plagued CSOs in Malawi, with the 2024 NGO Sector Report estimating that in the year, 14 organizations ceased operations due to funding challenges.
At the recently ended 29th Conference of Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), least developed countries (LDCs), including Malawi, called for increased climate finance from developed nations.
Accessing these resources is vital for implementing adaptation and mitigation actions in vulnerable nations.
Malawi’s 2016 National Climate Change Management Policy acknowledges CSOs as pivotal allies in fostering community resilience.
The policy highlights their proximity to communities and their capacity to influence adaptation and mitigation efforts.
It stresses: NGOs have an important role to play since they work closely with communities and can influence community response to climate change adaptation and mitigation.
The workshop was conducted under the Enhancing Access and Participation in Climate Change Policy Development and Implementation Project, supported by the Commonwealth Foundation.
The workshop targeted district CSO networks from Balaka, Dowa, Salima, and Nkhata Bay, equipping participants with knowledge in climate change management and proposal development.