Priority areas in Malawi

Priority areas in Malawi are identified in line with the country's national Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). The German DC organisations and the Malawian Government jointly agreed to implement three programmes that are being executed in close cooperation with Malawian governmental and non-governmental organisations and international donors. The aims of the GTZ programmes in these priority areas are:

Decentralisation

The programme ‘’Promotion of democratic decentralisation’’ aims to raise local awareness of democracy and to strengthen citizens’ participation in political processes. By 2014, the range of services offered by district and municipal administrations is to become more demand-oriented and effective. The programme focuses on four areas: local governance, financial management, local services and managing the reform process. Governmental and non-governmental organisations are given technical advice on their work along with financial support.

Health

The programme ‘’Sustainable structures for the health sector’’ aims to improve health care services and so raise the general standard of health of the Malawian population. This is to be achieved by focusing on three components:

• support for sector reforms
• support for decentralised health services
• support for personnel development measures

Basic education

The programme ‘’Improving basic education in Malawi’' aims to establish a teacher training system so that children receive professionally, pedagogically, psychologically and culturally adequate primary schooling. A new curriculum planning and implementation system will be introduced, along with native-language lessons and innovative projects to enhance the cooperation between schools and communities.