Climate Challenge Programme Malawi (CCPM)
The Climate Challenge Programme Malawi (CCPM) was a Scottish Government initiative working with rural communities in Malawi to co-design innovative solutions to problems caused by climate change.
The four-year, £4.7 million programme ran from 2017 – 2022 and enabled vulnerable Malawian communities to identify and implement solutions to the climate challenges they face, with a particular focus to helping the most vulnerable, including women and girls, and promoting human rights.
"When the project first came we questioned them because they didn’t bring us relief items like bags of maize just like other organisations do. They focused on investing in us with skills and physical investments like irrigation schemes. Now, we are so grateful with the interventions that the programme has implemented in our area. We are happy that they taught us to fish instead of giving us fish."
Charles Diyilo, programme participant
The CCPM provides a clear example of climate justice in action, recognising that people in developing countries are the first to be affected by climate change, and will suffer the most, despite having done little or nothing to cause the problem.
Malawi is already being hit hard by climate change. Communities who depend on small-scale farming to provide for themselves are struggling to know when to plant their crops due to increasingly unpredictable weather. More frequent and severe floods, storms and drought can destroy their harvests, homes and livelihoods overnight.
SCIAF administered the CCPM, working closely with partner organisations in Malawi and sister agency Trócaire Malawi. The programme took an integrated approach to developing improvements to communities’ access to water, food and energy, with a strong focus on communities learning from each other.
The CCPM built on the historical links between Scotland and Malawi, and complements other Scottish Government water management, renewable energy and poverty alleviation programmes.
people have access to food and water
women trained as community leaders
water sources installed
cookstoves produced using local materials
solar kiosks have been established
people increased their income
Harriet's story
Harriet became a single mother of six, when she was widowed in 2010, and initially struggled to make ends meet.
When the members of Harriet’s community asked her to lead the committee that oversees the newly refurbished village water pump, initially she resisted.
“I didn’t want to do it, I said ‘Why me?’ I asked if there was anyone else. But no one else was willing so I agreed but I think it has been good. I call the meetings to order, decide what we discuss and ensure there is agreement over what to do next.
"Although I didn’t want it at first, I think it is good I have this position. I want my daughters and young women here so see people listen to me and see more is possible.”
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