Projects

MALAWI ROLLS OUT LIFE-AR INITIATIVE TO ADDRESS ISSUES OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Malawi Government, through the Environmental Affairs Department in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change, is implementing the Least Developed Countries Initiative for Effective Adaptation and Resilience (LIFE-AR) a Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group led initiative to change the way countries work to protect local communities from the effects of climate change.
The initiative was launched in Salima district on 28 November, 2022 under a theme: “A Pathway to Climate Resilient Development” and Malawi is among six LDC frontrunner countries together with Uganda, Gambia, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and Bhutan where the initiative is being implemented with support from development partners including United Kingdom, Ireland and the USA.

The broad aim of LIFE-AR is to assist vulnerable communities shift away from business-as-usual approaches to a more effective, more ambitious climate response, that adopts a whole of society approach, channeling support to local level where it is most needed, and building in country institutions, capabilities, and systems to deliver climate resilience over the long term.
LIFE-AR was developed to change the way countries work on adaptation and resilience to meet the actual needs, pursue national goals, and protect local communities from the effects of climate change in line with the LDC vision for a climate-resilient future.
In Malawi, LIFE-AR aims to place the country on climate resilient development pathway with a least 70 percent of climate finance supporting local level climate action by 2030.  Among others, the initiative strengthens capacity of local government and communities to prepare and implement viable projects for climate resilience starting with Salima, Rumphi and Mangochi as pilot districts.
The initiative subscribes to an inclusive governance of climate decisions which means that the most vulnerable to climate impacts have a say and no one is left behind. In a nutshell, the inclusive governance entails that vulnerable communities, and the historically excluded groups within the communities, such as women, the youth, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized members of society are given extra attention so as to leave no one behind.
LIFE-AR Board Approves Malawi Board Paper
During its 7th Board Meeting held in Malawi in July 2023, the LIFE-AR Board approved Malawi’s Board Paper, a development that enabled the country to move from what is called the Establishment Phase into the Test and Evolve Phase consequently qualifying the country to start accessing funds for implementing adaptation and resilience building investments in the pilot districts.
The board meeting attended by a delegation from LIFE-AR development partners (United Kingdom, USA and Ireland), LIFE-AR frontrunner countries and the International Institute on Environment and Development (IIED) commended Malawi LIFE- AR team for presenting a well detailed board paper and for selection of the Local Government Development Planning System mechanism to deliver climate finance to people at the grassroots using area and village development committees.
Communities Investment Plans
Following Malawi’s Board Paper approval and other due processes, communities in the pilot districts produced budgets as well as investment plans for implementation of the initiative which were reviewed by LIFE -AR National Task Team. The national task team is a multisectoral team which supports the LIFE-AR Implementing Unit and responsibilities includes providing technical guidance on LIFE-AR activities, reviewing budgets and workplans, ensuring that LIFE-AR principles are upheld as well as providing technical input to LIFE-AR documentation.
Disbursement of K1.364 billion Grants
Following the approval of community budgets and investment plans, LIFE-AR Malawi, in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change, signed grant agreements with local communities. A total of K1.364 billion was disbursed to support climate change adaptation and resilience initiatives in the pilot districts.
The Principal Secretary for Administration in the ministry, Mr. Richard Perekamoyo signed agreements and awarded the LIFE -AR grants of K454 million to each of the three councils during a colourful ceremony held at Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe on Friday, 6 December, 2024. 

The distinctive feature for LIFE-AR is its decentralized approach where funds are channeled directly to local communities through the district councils, enabling them to make investments based on locally determined needs.
Communities identify and propose their own climate adaptation and resilience projects for investment. This fosters local ownership and ensures that district level priorities are aligned with community needs.
Speaking at the grant signing ceremony, Perekamoyo said by empowering the communities with financial resources, technical support and innovative solutions, Malawi Government and LIFE-AR partners are laying a foundation for scalable locally driven strategies.

“These interventions will not only safeguard lives and livelihoods but serve as a blueprint for other districts to follow,” he said.
After the grant agreement signing ceremony, James Mwenda, District Commissioner for Salima observed that the LIFEAR initiative will restore the degraded environment especially in the area of Senior Chief Khombedza, an area severely affected by impacts of climate change in the district.
Mwenda underscored the importance of the initiative, saying among other interventions, LIFE-AR would assist in protection of natural resources and fostering sustainable livelihoods.