Governance in Malawi: Impact Evaluation of the ‘Kutukula Umwini pa Chitukuko Cha m’maboma Ang’ono Project: Enhancing Communities’ Capacity in Tracking Development Resources at Local Council Level’ (original) (raw)

Citizen oversight through social accountability : the Malawi social action fund and the comprehensive community scorecard process

2006

Findings reports on ongoing operational, economic, and sector work carried out by the World Bank and its member governments in the Africa Region. It is published periodically by the Operations Results and Learning Unit on behalf of the Region. The views expressed in Findings are those of the author/s and should not be attributed to the World Bank Group. Human Development/Poverty Reduction and Economic Management 1 The Government and stakeholders have reviewed the overall development framework and it is expected that the MPRS will be replaced by a new policy document, the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS).

Civil Society Budget Monitoring for National Accountability: Workshop report, Lilongwe, Malawi, February 2004

2004

This report documents discussions and activities at the Civil Society Budget Monitoring for National Accountability workshop held in Lilongwe, Malawi,17th to 19th February 2004. The fourfold objectives of the workshop were: To bring together individuals and representatives of organisations involved in budget monitoring, or the development of monitoring processes and tools, with a view to developing a supportive community of practice of those organisations/ individuals; Locate budget tracking exercises within the broader budget cycle and budget work ingeneral; Analyse work done to date, through the development of a case studies, assessingtheir impact and the nature of the tools and methods that were used; Identify best practices in terms of budget tracking work, including ensuring its gender sensitivity, and linkages into lobbying and advocacy activities. This report will be especially helpful for OGB staff planning to undertake their own Budget Monitoring project.

The Local Governance Performance Index (LGPI) in Malawi: Selected Findings on Gender Report

Malawi's context raises a number of challenges that the government, traditional leaders, civil society, and the development community are working to address. One area of particular focus is gender equality and women's empowerment. The LGPI supports this effort by providing evidence-based research to inform the extent to which gender inequalities exist across sectors, cultural contexts, and localities. Drawing on the Malawi LGPI, this report assesses the extent to which women and men across different regions of the country, matrilineal and patrilineal cultural groups, and socioeconomic statuses access health and education services equally, experience more or less secure environments, and participate politically.

Assessing Factors Influencing the Failure of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Projects in Education and Health Sectors in Zambia: A Critical Analysis

The purpose of this study was to critically assess factors contributing to the failure of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects within Zambia's education and health sectors. The method in this study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of current strategies in managing CDF projects; identify the key factors contributing to the failure of CDF projects in Zambia's education and health sectors; investigate challenges faced by project committees in implementing CDF projects; and propose actionable strategies to enhance the success rate of future CDF projects in Zambia. The study adopted a mixed-method approach and employed purposive sampling. Primary data was collected from 46 respondents from Chongwe Constituency using; semi-structured interviews, literature review, and 5 FDGs. Quantitative data was analysed using mean t-test method to identify which factors most strongly speak to levels of community engagement and predict project success or failure. A thematic approach was used to analyse, triangulate and probe qualitative data and a document analysis and validation of data was employed. The study found that: strategies implemented in managing community projects in Chongwe, appear to align well with best practices and recommendations from the 2022 CDF guidelines. Streamlined project selection process, stakeholder engagement, efficient resource allocation and management, infrastructure development, sustainability initiatives, and focus on equity and inclusivity reflect a comprehensive approach to community development. Drawing upon existing literature and empirical observations and themes, the study also identified key factors contributing to the failure of CDF projects as; delayed funding, lack of transparency and accountability, contractor incompetence, political interference, insufficient/limited funding, limited community involvement, and limited basic information on CDF. These challenges hinder the effective implementation and sustainability of CDF projects, ultimately impacting the targeted sectors. To address these complexities, the study recommends strategies aimed at enhancing project management practices, fostering stakeholder engagement, fortifying transparency and accountability mechanisms, and promoting community participation/engagements. It advocates for comprehensive capacity-building initiatives targeting project committees, local authorities, and implementing agencies to strengthen their skills in project planning and execution, financial management, and monitoring. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of robust monitoring and reporting systems to ensure transparency in fund utilization and suggests the establishment of clear guidelines and oversight mechanisms to hold stakeholders accountable. The study further noted that communities were aware of the existence of CDF but a probe reviewed they lacked comprehensive knowledge about what CDF is and its true benefits to the communities. The study further recommends the realignment of vast constituencies by population density and not geography to allow effective utilization of the fund and as well as enhanced education about CDF to the community. Keywords: Constituency Development Fund, Success, Failure, Projects Education and Health Sectors, Challenges, Strategies

Advocacy for Monitoring and Evaluation in Community Development Projects in Africa

Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 2014

Much* of* retrospection* and* reassessment* of* past* undertakings* and* activities* is* necessary* so* to* gain* confidence* in* future* tasks* and* ensure* success.* Review* is* mandatory*and*important*in*development*projects.*Many*projects*and*programs*suffer* losses* because* of* lack* of* or* inefficient* and* ineffective* monitoring* and* evaluation.* Monitoring* and* evaluation* helps* in* identifying* the* problem* before* hand* or* in* time,* hence,*taking*precautionary*and*even*corrective*measures*in*time.*To*win*the*favour*of* the*donors*and*creditors,*the*evidence*that*the*projects*and*programmes*initiated*are* succeeding*is*inevitable.*The*type*of*evaluation*depends*on*the*object*being*evaluated* and* the* purpose* of* the* evaluation.* Monitoring* and* evaluation* should* be* incorporated* in*the*planning*of*a*project*or*programme.*The*monitoring*and*evaluation*process*may* be*presented*in*several*phases.*Methodology*adopted*was*review*of*literature*and*the* conclusions*were*made*based*on*arguments*elicited*in*the*paper.*