This document discusses supporting co-operatives in Malawi from 2012-2015 and outlines plans for a new project from 2015-2018. It defines co-operatives and their key principles. The prior project achieved its targets of training thousands of members and forming hundreds of new co-ops. The new project aims to empower more women and youth as leaders and entrepreneurs through co-ops, increase incomes, and promote environmentally sustainable practices among 1,900 members. It will be led by UK and Malawian partners including a coffee, macadamia, and organic farmers cooperative.

1. Supporting Co-operatives in
Malawi(2012-15)
Presentation to the Scotland-Malawi
Partnership Business Forum held on
14th April,2015

2. What is a Co-operative Business?
What is a co-operative?
ICA definition:
“An autonomous association of persons united voluntary to meet their
common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a
jointly-owned and democratically controlled enterprise.”

3. Values & Principles
Self-Help, Democracy, Equality, Equity and Solidarity
1. Voluntary and Open Membership
2. Democratic Member Control
3. Member Economic Participation
4. Autonomy and Independence
5. Education, Training and Information
6. Co-operation among Co-operatives
7. Concern for the Community

4. Environment found
• An outdated Legal Framework(Co-operative Act
• Strong SACCOs led by MUSCCO
• Very weak Producers Societies
• Poor Supply Chain Management
• Low participation of Women in Co-operatives
• No National Apex(No Co-operation and Education)

5. Key outputs
• To provide large-scale training opportunities for members and potential members
of co-operatives, which will enable them to improve their practical, business and
governance skills.
• Providing a support and mentorship service to existing and start-up co-operatives
• Advice on supply chain linkages
• To establish a national structure to support co-operatives which is “owned” by the
co-operative movement itself.
•

6. Achievement by December 2014
• 3989 members have engaged in direct training through the Supporting Co-operatives in
Malawi (Target:2,700)
• Total of 3276 women and 713 men.
• 328 new Co-operative businesses have been formed (Target-200)
• Turnover of over of 160 Co-op businesses have increased by 3% per annum
• total of 12,537 farmer members of co-operatives have received mentoring advice and
support
• An Apex Body has been formed
• Malawi Government now recognise Co-ops and willing to operationalize ILO Reg 193

7. Co-operative Enterprise Pathways for
Economic and Environmental Sustainability
in Malawi
Output 1
More Women leaders of their co-operatives and are engaging in wider co-operative
network
Output 2
Young people are adopting co-operatives as a source of livelihood

8. New Project (2015-18)
Output 3
Co-operatives are using environmentally sustainable technologies in the production
of goods and services
Output 4
Stronger co-operatives organisations which are promoting, uniting and developing
the co-operative in Malawi

9. Co-operative Enterprise Pathways for
Economic & Environmental Sustainability in
Malawi(2015-18)
Key Outcomes
• Supporting 8050 men, women and youths to establish or improve their
business/economic activities through attending training courses;
• Building a better governed and more inclusive co-operative throughout
Malawi(Strong and self sustaining Apex Body)
• Increase the income of women and youth co-operatives businesses by 20% in over
three years;
• Increase the participation of women and youths in the leadership of the Malawi Co-
op Businesses;
• Support 1,900 Co-operative members(Women, men and youths) to adopt to new
environmentally sustainable agriculture practices;

10. New Partners
• UK Co-operative College(Project Management and Oversight)
• COMSIP(Lead Partners based in Lilongwe)
• Mzuzu Coffee Planters Co-operative based in Mzuzu-Partner)
• Highlands Macadamia Co-operative Union Limited(HIMACUL)(Based in Nchisi-
Partner)
• Malawi Organic Growers Association(MOGA)(Based in Lilongwe- Partner)