Social funds
The Malawi Social Action Fund experience in scaling up local activities for the poor using civil society organisations
Social Action Fund enables poor communities to take charge in Malawi
Authors:
C. Kamwendo
Publisher:
Department for International Development Health Systems Resource Centre , 2005
This paper from the DFID Health Systems Resource Centre discusses the experience of the Malawi Social Action Fund (MASAF) in delivering interventions that target the poor. It argues that MASAF has been successful not only in providing safety nets for the poor, but also in enabling communities to take charge of their own development. MASAF interventions are also reported to be cost-effective in comparison with other community development models. The author highlights a number of features as key to the success of this model, including: a decentralised and participatory approach, the sub-management of projects by civil society organisations, and direct management of financial resources by communities.
Further lessons learned highlight the importance of: support and public endorsement from political leaders, an enabling policy environment, strong accountability and transparency mechanisms, and a significant measure of autonomy for communities. This means that operating principles must be shared and valued by all that have a stake in project implementation. In addition, the authors emphasise the importance of drawing on existing cultural values and indigenous institutional strengths to ensure that participation is legitimised and guaranteed. [adapted from authors]
