1 Sustainable Rural Growth and Development Initiative (SRGDI) Strategic Plan 2014-2019
2 OUR MISSION To improve the quality of lives and livelihoods of the people in Malawi and Southern Africa and promote sustainable development OUR VISION Healthy and empowered communities, living in a sustainable, peaceful and enabling environment to fulfil their potential, raise their living standards and care for the environment. Sustainable Rural Growth and Development Initiative (SRGDI), is non profit making, local non governmental organization registered with the Government of Malawi with company registration number 8541. SRGDI is registered with the Council for Non Governmental Organizations in Malawi (CONGOMA) with Registration number C762/2014 and Certificate Number 01/169. SRGDI is also registered with the Non Government Organizations (NGO) Board of Malawi, registration number NGO/R/13/52. SRGDI is a founding member of the National Youth Network on Climate Change (NYNCC) and Southern Africa Society on Disaster Reduction (SASDiR). It is a member of Malawi Network of AIDS Service Organization (MANASO), Coordination Union for the Rehabilitation of Environment (CURE), Global Civil Society Network on Disaster Reduction (GNDR), Global Environment Facility (GEF) NGO Network, Water, Environmental and Sanitation Network (WESN), Rainwater Harvesting Association of Malawi (RHAM), African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) and Roundtable for Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB)
3 Organisational Values SRGDI sees these values as critical and integral to the work we are doing; Transformational We believe that for positive sustainable transformation to occur it must be addressed at three levels: personal empowerment and responsibility, community revitalization, and societal transformation. Holistic transformation occurs within all aspects of personal and community life, including the psychological, physical, spiritual, economic, political, and socio-cultural dimensions of life. Honesty and transparency- Being accountable at all levels for the effectiveness of our actions and open in our judgments and communications with others. Equity and justice- Requiring us to work to ensure equal opportunity to everyone, irrespective of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, HIV status, colour, class, ethnicity, disability, location and religion. Excellence We believe that those we serve deserve the best. We shall be an organization that is continually learning and sharing; creating models of good practice that can be replicated worldwide. Empowering We seek to strengthen the capacities and address the vulnerabilities of those we serve. This also includes encouraging, development of skills and access to resources for self-sufficiency. Passionate We are passionate about those we work for and passionate in all that we do. We seek to be creative and imaginative in finding sustainable solutions to addressing issues of poverty and injustice. Mutual respect- Requiring us to recognize the innate worth of all people and the value of diversity. Solidarity with the poor- Powerless and excluded will be the only bias in our commitment to the fight against poverty.
4 ORGANOGRAM BOARD OF TRUSTEES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FINANCE MANAGER HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER PROGRAMMES MANAGER PROJECT ACCOUNTANT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT PROJECT OFFICERS Community Facilitators/Field Officers MONITORING AND EVALUATION OFFICER
5 1.0. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES FOR 2014-2019 Strategic Objective 1: We will transform the lives of the most vulnerable and marginalized people especially, Children, Youth and Women Strategic Objective 2: We will strengthen the resilience and wealth of communities through improved food security, economic enhancement, disaster preparedness and access to markets. Strategic Objective 3: We will strengthen and identify new partnerships and collaborations Strategic Objective 4: We will increase SRGDI s financial and organizational capacity and strengthen accountability Underpinned by: Partnerships (with District Councils, National Government, CBOs, Civil Society and the Private Sector) Learning and Advocacy (evidence-based research to maximize impact, influence policy and practice) Improved Organizational Systems (Human Resources, Finance, Procurement, ICT) Development Approaches (HIV and AIDS, Gender, Environment, Human Rights, Action Learning, Sustainable Livelihoods Approaches)
6 2.0. KEY SECTORS SRGDI seeks to transform the lives of the most marginalized and vulnerable people in community and thus has chosen to prioritize our resources to assist vulnerable Children, Youth, Women and Girls. These groups are greatly impacted by issues such as: HIV, Malnutrition, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, Disability, Climate Change and Disasters, Environmental Degradation, Poor Water Supply, Hygiene and Sanitation and Poverty. It is recognized that a holistic community response is integral to sustainable programming and that men are also affected by these issues. In order to achieve the strategic objectives for 2014-2019 SRGDI has focused on seven areas which allow us to build upon the expertise and experience of SRGDI while creating new, innovative and effective approaches. These areas are; o Youth and Children Empowerment o HIV/AIDS Prevention o Climate Change o Environment o Disaster Risk Reduction o Water, Sanitation and Hygiene o Economic Empowerment
7 2.1. Youth and Children Empowerment 2.1.1. CHILD PROTECTION AND PARTICIPATION In the next five years SRGDI will strengthen District and Community Child Protection Systems ensure child participation. We will; Support the curbing of structural causes of abuse, violence, neglect and exploitation against children and youth Strengthen the capacity of children and youths in Mulanje to protect and promote their rights against abuse, violence and exploitation Enhance the capacity of SRGDI in order to have increased collaboration to monitor and advocate for realisation of child rights at all levels in general and child protection in particular Empower the relevant government institutions and District Child Protection Structures with knowledge, information, resources and facilitate the strengthening of policies and laws to respond to child protection issues
8 SRGDI will 2.1.2. YOUTH EMPOWERMENT o Increased access to employment for Youth o Develop Youth Entrepreneurship skills o Increase access to loans and markets for Youth products and services o Promote Girl Child Education We will achieve the above through the following ways; o Conducting Youth Economic Needs Assessments o Establishment of Youth Technology and Marketing Centers o Training Youth in ICT, Renewable Energy and Arts Vocational skills o Youth Coaching and Internship Programme o Linking Youth to markets and Microfinance institutions o Free Library and resource centre services for Youth
9 2.2. HIV/AIDS PREVENTION SRGDI will o Contribute towards elimination of Mother to Child Transmission o Contribute towards zero new HIV infections in young people o Expand the use promote the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in HIV and AIDS programmes We will achieve the above through the following ways; - Use Information Communication Technology (ICT) to promote HIV prevention through our Multimedia HIV and AIDS programme. These will include the use of Interactive CDs, Social Networks, Participatory Video, text messages and Applications. The primary target will be youth and children in schools, schools clubs and teachers. SRGDI will also Develop HIV and AIDS information materials for the blind through ICT - Use the family centered approach in elimination of Mother to Child Transmission. SRGDI will Facilitate Follow Ups, Early Diagnosis, Male Involvement, Savings and Loan, Family Planning and Sexual and Reproductive Health services and fighting Stigma and Discrimination and gender inequality. The primary beneficiaries are infants, new mothers, pregnant women and their families - Training and coordinating AIDS Service Organizations in Southern Region in collaboration with Malawi Network of AIDS service Organizations (MANASO). SRGDI will also provide free HIV and AIDS resource center services. - Facilitating training of trainers for the Why Wait Curriculum through Multimedia Technology in collaboration with the Sub-Sahara Family Enrichment(SAFE).
10 2.3. CLIMATE CHANGE SRGDI will o Increase awareness about Climate Change o Increase adoption of Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation technologies o Promote entrepreneurship in climate change related technologies e.g. Solar and Biofuels We will achieve the above through the following ways; - Development and dissemination of Climate Change Youth Guide, Teaching and Learning Materials for Youth and Children - Organizing Climate Change Short Courses, Conferences and Symposia - Establishment of Climate Change Corners and clubs in schools and colleges - Conducting Climate Change awareness and education campaigns - Training communities in Conservation Agriculture, Water Harvesting, Livestock Production, Early Maturing Varieties, Drought Resistant Crop and Livestock, Small Scale Irrigation, Crop Diversification, Improved Storage, Working in Groups and Village Savings and Loan. - Promoting of Green Life styles, Reducing, Recycling and Reusing. - Promotion of Renewable energy and Fuel Efficient stoves - Supporting communities to sustainably produce and find markets for Biofuels especially Jatropha - Engage communities to participate and benefit from the Malawi REDD+ Programme
11 2.4. DISASTER RISK REDUCTION (DRR) SRGDI will o Increase awareness about Disaster Risk Reduction o Increase research and learning in Disaster Risk Reduction o Build resilience of households to disasters We will achieve the above through the following ways; - Development and dissemination of DRR awareness and education materials for Youth and Children - Organizing DRR Short Courses, Conferences and Symposia - Conducting DRR awareness and education campaigns - Training communities in Conservation Agriculture, Water Harvesting, Livestock Production, Early Maturing Varieties, Drought Resistant Crop and Livestock, Small Scale Irrigation, Crop Diversification, Improved Storage, Working in Groups and Village Savings and Loan and Early Warning Systems - Facilitating Action learning in DRR - Engaging in DRR Advocacy - Training district DRR structures - Conducting research on DRR and Community Resilience
12 2.5. ENVIRONMENT SRGDI will o Engage communities in Participatory Forest and develop Forest Based Enterprises o Build capacity of Local NGOs and CBOs in Land Degradation, Climate Change, Biodiversity Conservation and Chemicals We will achieve the above through the following ways; - Establishment and training of Participatory Forest governance structures - Supporting communities in, establishment of businesses, value addition, identification of markets and meeting standards of Forest Based Enterprises - SRGDI will work with GEF Small Grants Programme and other partners in organizing Short Courses, Exchange /Educational Visits, Conferences and Symposia for Local NGOs and CBOs in Land Degradation, Climate Change, Biodiversity Conservation and Chemicals. SRGDI will also help organizations to network. - Development of Newsletters and documentaries on environment. - Conservation of Misuku, Bangwe and Soche Hills
13 2.6. WATER, HYGIENE AND SANITATION SRGDI will o Increase access to safe and clean portable water to communities We will achieve the above through the following ways; - Engaging communities in development of simple gravity fed systems from surrounding mountains/hills and springs and supplying safe and clean water to its members - Conducting Water,Sanitation and Hygiene education - Promoting flood proof water, sanitation and hygiene structures in flood prone areas 3.0. Poverty reduction - Training of Water Users Associations
14 2.6. ECONOMIC EMPOWERNMENT SRGDI will o Increase income and wealth for poor and marginalized people We will achieve the above through the following ways; - Promoting Savings and Loan Groups - Supporting Beekeepers in Value Addition, Meeting Standards and finding markets - Supporting Smallholder Dairy Farmers in increasing production of Milk and Linking them to Markets - Supporting youth through development of Entrepreneurship Skills - Linking businesses to microfinance and loans - Supporting business groups with equipment, business skills and technology - Support farmers in sustainable production of Biofuels and protect them against exploitation
15 3.0. How we will develop Ourselves SRGDI will o increase SRGDI s financial and organizational capacity and strengthen accountability We will achieve the above through the following ways; Grow our supporter base Our supporters will be defined as sponsors, donors, campaigners and volunteers who support our mission. We will deepen our relationship with them, enhance their understanding of our mission, value their multiple contributions, strengthen our accountability to them and support their ambitions, linking them with people in communities, other supporters and active citizens across Malawi. Grow our income We focus on raising funds that will help deliver our vision for our four priority themes (outlined above), and also specifically aim to raise unrestricted and flexible income to fund innovative programming. We strive to be a partner of choice by cultivating ambitious and pioneering partnerships with corporate and government donors. We endeavor to inspire current and potential supporters with engaging marketing campaigns. SRGDI will develop a Marketing and Fundraising Strategy that will enable it to achieve this financial growth. We will raise our annual income by 75%.Fundraising will be a recognized responsibility of all Members and will be integrated as an element in the job descriptions of leaders within the organization. Policy Development -Through the development and acceptance of clear policies SRGDI will set out how the organization intends to operate. SRGDI s policies are key instruments in ensuring the maintenance and fortification of the organization s ethos. Policies support the achievement of objectives through ensuring adherence to best Audited accounts will be produced by the Board for each financial year and will be developed into an annual report of the activities and finances of the organisation and be made available to all supporters and donors. Organizational Governance SRGDI will ensure that all governance policies, procedures and structures are in place and functioning effectively.
16 4.0. Learning, Impact and Advocacy SRGDI recognizes that sharing and disseminating learning from our considerable programme experience is essential if we are to continually improve our organizational effectiveness. During the strategy period we will improve how we share and learn from our experiences across the organization. We will also improve how we disseminate this information so that others can benefit from this knowledge. We will achieve these aims by carrying out the following activities: Instituting mechanisms to ensure that programme and project managers across the organization act on findings of external and internal evaluations; Improving the way in which we document and disseminate lessons learnt from our programme experience; Instituting more learning and reflection forums across the organization including partners and stakeholders where possible; Conducting more social research studies. SRGDI is committed to delivering sustainable and significant impact across all of our programme areas. We will publish an annual impact report setting out a wide range of quantitative and qualitative data demonstrating progress against a set of key performance indicators. We are committed to moving beyond a description of project activities and outputs in order to capture the scale and nature of change being brought about through our work with communities and District Councils. In documenting the impact of our work we are committed to complete transparency in publishing, assessing and analysing all key performance data- even if it shows negative trends- so that stakeholders, donors and partners are able to assess the effectiveness of our work.
17 5.0. Partnerships Working in partnership is a key principle of SRGDI s work. Partnerships with District Councils, Sub-District structures and communities are critical to the way in which SRGDI operates. We recognise these actors as key partners with a shared commitment in creating opportunities for lasting improvements in people s lives. Over the next five years we will deepen our partnerships with District and community structures- working in a participatory and inclusive manner to enhance their collective capacity to deliver positive change and we will work in line with government plans at national and district level- ensuring that all of our work is in line with these priorities and those of our development partners. We will also ensure that we are absolutely transparent and accountable to communities, government and our donors and development partners in all that we do. We will develop and strengthen relationships with organisations that offer complementary skills that can enhance the effectiveness of our development interventions, working in partnership with like-minded organisations and networks that add value to district and national plans and priorities. We will broaden and deepen our working relationship with private sector organisations which can help to stimulate local economic development and improve the incomes and lives of the rural people with which we work. Likewise we will further relationships with universities and research institutions in order to strengthen the evidence base on which our programmes are designed and to deepen these institutions practical understanding of community development. OUR PARTNERS Government of Malawi Positive Action for Children Fund (PACF) Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (Malawi) - UNDP Rural Livelihood and Economic Enhancement Programme (RLEEP) Africa Centre for Disaster Studies North West University Global Network of Civil Society for Disaster Reduction (GNDR) Southern Africa Society on Disaster Reduction (SASDiR) Mtendere Election Support Network (MESN) National Youth Network on Climate Change (NYNCC) Malawi Network of AIDS Service Organization (MANASO) Coordination Union for the Rehabilitation of Environment (CURE) Water and Environmental Sanitation Network (WESN) Rainwater Harvesting Association of Malawi (RHAM) African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) Roundtable for Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB)
18 Contact us For more information on SRGDI please contact us. Executive Director (SRGDI) P.O Box 40245, Blantyre Along Haille Sellassie Road, Imtrust Building, First Floor, Room 5, Tel: 01 831 479, Cell: 088 8 749 928/ 099 5 232 544 Email: developmw@yahoo.com Skype: srgdi.malawi Website: www.srgdi.org