Listen
Funding for Malawi projects
20/10/2008
Twenty nine projects to support education, health and economic development in Malawi are to benefit from Scottish Government funding.
Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture Linda Fabiani said:
"By supporting these projects, Scotland is contributing to the global fight against poverty. The projects focus on sustainable economic growth and building the skills and capacity of Malawi to grow and prosper - key priorities for the Government of Malawi. This funding is good news for Scotland, for Malawi and for the world.
"When I visited Malawi earlier this year, I was impressed by the dedication of the many Scottish organisations whose projects have been funded by the Scottish Government, and by the difference their work is making to the people of Malawi."
All the projects are strongly supported by the Government of Malawi who have been involved in the discussions throughout this funding round, which when added to existing projects, totals
£3.133 million. They include:
- For sustainable economic development, £340,000 to improve land management and provide renewable energy to villages in Malawi, ensuring better food security and more sustainable local economies. The Aberdeen-based Macaulay Institute is to work with Entech, a Malawi environment organisation, on developing the technologies, including the use of ethical bio-fuels made from trees
- For civil society development, £369,596 to Tearfund Scotland, to build on their work with street children and other orphaned and vulnerable children and target over 200 children who have come into conflict with the law, working with representatives of the court, legal, social work and police services
- For health, £372,832 to Oxfam Scotland who work with local communities in Malawi to assist the most vulnerable people affected by HIV, enabling them to develop more sustainable livelihoods, engage in enterprise and exercise their rights in gaining access to appropriate health services
- For education, £69,500 to Global Concerns Trust to provide carpentry, tailoring and other vocational training for adults with disabilities, working through community-based projects with the Malawi Council for the Handicapped. The trainees will receive certified training, entrepreneurial skills and start up tools
This current allocation meets the annual commitment of a minimum of £3 million for Malawi with the awards for 2008-09 totalling £3.133 million.
The Scottish Government doubled the International Development Fund to £6 million, providing support to many of the poorest countries in the world. This will increase further in 2010-11 to £9 million.
The International Development Policy comprises six distinct elements:
- Malawi Development
- Sub-Saharan Africa Development Programme - comprising block grants for Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda and Sudan
- Fair Trade Scotland
- Core Funding for Scottish-Based Networking Organisations
- Responses to International Humanitarian Disasters
- Indian Subcontinent Development
Delivery of the International Development Policy is supported by the International Development Fund. As previously announced the total allocation per financial year will be as follows:
- 2008/09 - £6 million
- 2009/10 - £6 million
- 2010/11 - £9 million
Today's projects cover all four areas of the Co-operation Agreement with Malawi - sustainable economic development, governance and civil society development, health and education.