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Overview

Background

Malawi Electoral Support Project (MESP) 2022-2025 has been established with key national authorities and development partners in anticipation of the next Presidential and Legislative elections due in 2025. The proposed project is within the current United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2019-2023 (UNSDCF), Pillar 1 on “Peace, Inclusion and Effective Institutions” and the UNDP CPD Output 4.1: “Parliament, Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), Centre for Multi-Party Democracy (CMD) and selected non-State actors are enabled to perform core functions for inclusive participation and representation”. The project is based on the premise that technically capable, transparent, and inclusive institutions are essential for conducting credible and peaceful elections – a key output in the UNDP Strategic Plan.

The MESP project is centered around the following three main strategic areas:

Priority Area 1 – Capacity: Strengthened capacity and preparedness of MEC, CMD and the Malawi Police Service (MPS) to effectively manage activities regarding the electoral processes in a credible manner through capacity-building and technical assistance.

Priority Area 2 – Inclusion: Improved participation and representation of women, youth, the elderly, People with Disabilities, and People with Albinism through activities intended to foster participation and ownership of the electoral processes.

Priority Area 3 – Peace: Reduced tensions and disputes regarding the electoral process through the establishment or strengthening and of existing mechanisms contributing to conflict prevention and mitigation.

Under Priority Area 3, MESP intends to collaborate with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to enhance the general public’s participation and ownership of electoral processes. The project recognises the pivotal role that CSOs play in facilitating informed public participation and fostering inclusivity in Malawi's electoral processes. By actively engaging CSOs, the project can effectively foster citizen involvement at the various stages of the electoral cycle. MESP will, thus, partner with CSOs to inform, educate, and represent citizens in the various electoral processes

The recent elections in Malawi have revealed a decline in the political engagement of its citizens, as evidenced by a meager 52% turnout of registered voters in 2019 and 2020, compared to the 64% recorded during the 2014 elections. These statistics underscore the pressing need for concerted efforts aimed at enhancing public participation throughout the electoral process. Inclusivity is vital to ensure that the voices and concerns of all citizens are heard and addressed. Every individual should have equal opportunities to participate in national governing structures and decision-making processes. Efforts should, therefore, be made to bridge gaps and prioritize the concerns and interests of all citizens. In this regard, MESP endeavors to empower the general public to actively participate as voters, while addressing the underlying structural and legal barriers that hinder their engagement within the entirety of the electoral system.

Addressing the above stated challenges necessitates unbiased and professional interventions from CSOs. CSOs possess valuable expertise, knowledge, and resources that MESP can leverage on to empower and educate the public about their rights, responsibilities, and the importance of participating in elections. With their extensive networks and grassroots presence, CSOs are well-positioned to disseminate crucial information regarding electoral processes, voter registration, and voting procedures. By raising awareness about the fundamental right to vote, CSOs can encourage citizens to exercise their democratic right to participate in electoral process. Actively informing and empowering the general public will foster an inclusive and democratic process that truly represents the diverse interests and voices of the nation. It is through collective participation of the citizens that Malawi can achieve peaceful, fair, and credible elections that reflect the aspirations of its entire population.

The aim of this solicitation is to request civil society organization(s) to submit applications for implementing projects that promote the participation of the general public in the 2025 General Election through civic education and increased engagement in electoral processes. The objective of this project is to build the agency of all Malawians to participate as voters while simultaneously addressing the structural and legal barriers impeding their participation in the entire electoral system.  The solicitation provides prospective civil society organizations with the relevant operational and performance requirements. UNDP anticipates to issue awards as part of this solicitation.

This solicitation seeks to invite civil society organizations to respond with proposals on how to engage with and leverage existing platforms to enhance the participation of all Malawians in the election process in Malawi.