Who is involved

The Mwananchi Programme has a sophisticated governance structure, and is delivered by a consortium of partners working across Africa and the world. Here are our partners and their responsibilities:

Overseas Development Institute (ODI) - United Kingdom

ODI is responsible for the overall management of the Mwananchi Programme. It is contractually accountable to DFID through KPMG, using grant management systems appropriate for voice and accountability initiatives, developed from years of research into donor support mechanisms for civil society and other non-state actors. Working together with local organisations, ODI is also responsible for research, knowledge management, expertise on Outcome Mapping, Political Economy Analysis and Voice and Accountability project theories and designs. ODI has over fifty years of experience as the UK's leading think tank on international development and humanitarian issues. Their mission is to inspire and inform policy and practice which lead to the reduction of poverty, the alleviation of suffering and the achievement of sustainable livelihoods in developing countries. They do this by locking together high-quality applied research, practical policy advice, and policy-focused dissemination and debate. We work with partners in the public and private sectors, in both developing and developed countries. More at www.odi.org.uk.

Inter Press Service (IPS) - South Africa

IPS is the technical partner for Mwananchi in working with the media on areas such as investigative journalism, and in developing cutting-edge story writing skills among Mwananchi partners. IPS is a communication institution with a global news agency at its core. It works to raise the voices of the South and civil society, bringing fresh perspectives on development and globalisation. Since its inception, back in 1964, IPS has believed in the role of information as a precondition for lifting communities out of poverty and marginalisation. This belief is reflected in its historic mission: to act as a communication channel that privileges the voices and the concerns of the poorest and creates a climate of understanding, accountability and participation around development, promoting a new international information order between the South and the North. More at www.ipsnews.net/africa.

Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) - Sierra Leone

Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) is a National Coordination Organisation (NCO) for Sierra Leone, selected through a democratic process led by the National Steering Committee (NSC) set up by local organisations in Sierra Leone. CGG is accountable to the local organisations through the NSC, which meets regularly to review the work and direction of the programme. As an independent organisation, CGG exists to increase citizen participation in governance through advocacy, capacity-building and civic education in order to build a more informed civil populace and a democratic state. More at www.slcgg.org.

Development Research and Training (DRT) - Uganda

Development Research and Training (DRT) is a National Coordination Organisation (NCO) for Uganda, selected through a democratic process led by the National Steering Committee (NSC) set up by local organisations in Uganda. DRT is accountable to the local organisations through the NSC, which meets regularly to review the work and direction of the programme. As an independent organisation, DRT was established  in 1997 to undertake policy research and analysis in Uganda and other East African countries. DRT promotes institutional capacity-building, micro and macro analysis, and policy engagement on a wide range of social, political and economic issues in Uganda and neighbouring countries. More at www.drt-ug.org.

Guraghe Development Association

Guraghe Development Association (GDA) is a National Coordination Organisation (NCO) for Ethiopia selected by the overall GDA Board to lead the Lem Limat programme. GDA is accountable to the local organisations through the NSC, which meets regularly to review the work and direction of the programme. GDA is an independent, community-based organisation that is non-political, non-religious and not-for-profit. It is an Ethiopian-based charity registered since 2008. GDA’s aim is to see a united community of Guraghe people whose socio-economic challenges are tackled, poverty alleviated, development sustained and standard of living improved.  

Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN) - Malawi

Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN)  is a National Coordination Organisation (NCO) for Malawi, selected through a democratic process led by the National Steering Committee (NSC) set up by local organisations in Malawi. CGG is accountable to the local organisations through the NSC, which meets regularly to review the work and direction of the programme. As an independent organisation, MEJN is a coalition of more than 100 civil society organisations, which have activities in the field of economic governance. MEJN’s membership includes NGOs, Community-Based Organisations, Trade Unions, representatives of the media, and academia, among others. The MEJN Secretariat in Lilongwe coordinates its day-to-day activities. More at www.mejn.mw.

Panos Southern Africa - Zambia

Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) is a National Coordination Organisation (NCO) for Zambia, selected through a democratic process led by the National Steering Committee (NSC) set up by local organisations in Zambia. Panos is accountable to the local organisations through the NSC, which meets regularly to review the work and direction of the programme. As an independent organisation, PSAf  has for more than a decade worked to cultivate an informed and inclusive environment for public policy debate in the region. PSAf partners with the media and other communicators to enable marginalised populations in southern Africa to play an active role in the decision-making process that drives development. More at www.panos.org.zm.

Participatory Development Associates (PDA) - Ghana

PDA Ghana is a National Coordination Organisation (NCO) for Ghana, selected through a democratic process led by the National Steering Committee (NSC) set up by local organisations in Ghana. PDA is accountable to the local organisations through the NSC, which meets regularly to review the work and direction of the programme. As an independent organisation, PDA is a private sector human development organisation. Its aim is to support processes of empowerment and self-determination in communities, organisations and individuals. It was registered in 2001. PDA is based in Ghana, with its main office in Kumasi and a sub-office in Accra. Its missions is to work with communities and organisations to facilitate the participation of all people within their community or organisation by empowering them to take greater control over their own lives and determine their own destiny.  More at pdaghana.com.