On 20 – 21 January 2026, LEAD Southern & Eastern Africa supported a Women
Network for Climate Action in Malawi (WONECAM) Write Shop in Mponela, Dowa,
convening 13 participants (12 women, 1 man) from all three regions of Malawi, with
representation from the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social
Welfare; Environmental Affairs Department (EAD) and Department of Climate Change
and Meteorological Services (DCCMS).
The write shop delivered tangible results. Participants drafted a fundable agribusiness
concept note, identified feminist funding as an entry point for early-stage financing, and
agreed on a pilot approach reaching beneficiaries in each region. A 4-member resource
mobilisation team was formed to map funding opportunities, with outputs due within one
week.
Strategic actions agreed include pursuing partnerships with accredited entities, formally
introducing WONECAM to all councils, and leveraging International Women’s Day (8
March) for funder engagement. With formal registration expected by March 2026, the
write shop marked a critical step toward women-led access to climate finance.
This activity was part of the Establish Women in Climate Action Structures at Council
Level in Malawi Technical Assistance, under the Climate Action Africa initiative, funded
by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Alinea International, Econoler, and WSP.
It was delivered by the Equal Lead Climate Consortium (Joëlle Matte, LEADSEA,
Equalab IDC).