Malawi youth increase involvement in budget planning and project monitoring

Young people in Malawi are increasingly engaging in formal processes to influence national development and budget allocation. In Mangochi Lutende Constituency, youth participants recently pledged to monitor local development projects and promote accountability following a training program organized by Civil Society Accountability and Transparency (CSAT).

On a national level, Malawi held its first Youth-Focused Pre-Budget Consultation in January 2026. Organized by the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation and the National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) with support from AGRA, the event allowed farmers, students, and entrepreneurs to contribute directly to national budget discussions.

The consultation resulted in ten priority recommendations presented to government ministers, including proposals to scale up the Youth Innovation Fund, establish a 100 million MWK Youth Constituency Loan Fund, and expand youth-focused health services. Several of these initiatives are currently under consideration for the 2026/27 National Budget.