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.