Malawi SDG Acceleration Fund 

ObjectivesFund scope

The 2016 Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) requested the United Nations Development System (UNDS) better position itself to support member state efforts in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in a coherent and integrated manner. This included emphasizing the need for the UNDS to have well-designed pooled funding mechanisms to support common, cross-cutting UN approaches at the country-level.

To operationalize the recommendations of the QCPR, the UN in Malawi created the Malawi SDG Acceleration Fund. The Fund improves the quality of non-core resources to help the UNDS support the Government of Malawi in achieving the SDGs by supporting priorities that have an impact on national engagement and can accelerate the SDGs through joint implementation. The Fund complements other resources by providing targeted resources for multi-agency initiatives that strengthen national capacities for integrated policy; developing the national SDG financing ecosystem; implementing catalytic SDG programming and investments, and ensuring effective and sustainable development results at national and sub-national levels.

Theory of change

With a focus on strengthening the planning and coordination process, the Fund channels finances towards the highest priority areas to achieve the SDGs and realize the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2019-2023. The UNDAF in Malawi has three pillars: Peace, inclusion and effective institutions, population management and inclusive human development, and inclusive and resilient growth. These pillars respond to the root cause of development challenges that include:

• Poor governance
• Climate change
• Weak economic structure
• Rapid population growth
• Negative social norms

While all three areas are critical for SDG achievement, Fund stakeholders have focused on Pillar 3 (resilience) of the UNDAF 2019-2023 to support climate programming, renewable energy, resilience and humanitarian action. Interventions supported by the Fund are primarily aimed at diversifying sustainable agricultural production and improving nutrition along with enhancing inclusive access to the productive resources necessary to secure sustainable incomes, reducing household and community vulnerability by improving adaptation and natural resource management, and increasing the capacity of local authorities, communities and individuals to prepare for and respond to external shocks.

Over time, other funding windows will be initiated to focus on critical gaps and potential areas for joint action that helps accelerate the implementation of the SDGs in Malawi.

Governance

Joint Steering Committee

Comprised of the Chief Secretary and the Resident Coordinator, the sitting members of the JSC include the principle secretaries of government departments and resident representatives from the UN organizations that signed the UNDAF 2019-2023. The Joint Steering Committee provides overall policy guidance for the Malawi SDG Acceleration Fund, which includes assessing progress and ensuring alignment with UNDAF results and the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy.

Steering Committee(s) of the Funding Windows

Co-chaired by relevant government/ministry officials and the UN Resident Coordinator, the members include participating UN organizations, government representatives, NGOs, and donors according to window. Steering Committee composition ensures national ownership, inclusiveness, and balanced representation in taking Fund-specific decisions. Primary responsibilities include reviewing and approving each window terms of reference, rules of procedure, and UN organizational proposals to ensure appropriate consultative processes take place with stakeholders at the country level.

Participating UN Organizations

Responsible for the implementation of programme activities in accordance with the UNDAF 2019-2023. 

Administrative Agent

Participating Organizations receive funds through the Administrative Agent, the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) Office. The Administrative Agent is responsible for the receipt, administration and management of contributions from donors, disbursement of funds to Participating Organizations, and consolidation and dissemination of progress reports to donors.

Projects

Malawi SDG Acceleration Fund

Malawi SDG Acceleration Fund is currently supporting count_projects ongoing projectscount_globalInterregional and count_countries country-specific. This table shows the most recently approved ongoing projects.

All project financial information can be found in the Financials section, including delivery analysis by organization, theme and project; project financial status by country and by theme.

Malawi SDG Acceleration Fund

Results

The Malawi SDG Acceleration Fund provides support to the Government of Malawi in SDG acceleration and achievement. The Fund provides targeted resources for multi-agency initiatives that strengthen national capacities for integrated policy, develop the national SDG financing ecosystem, support catalytic SDG programming and investments, and ensure effective and sustainable development results at national and sub-national levels.

ContactsPoints of contact