Publication: The Role of Information, Education and Communication in the Malawi Social Action Fund
Date
2001-12
ISSN
Published
2001-12
Author(s)
Chibwana, Bridget
Mohan, Prasad
Abstract
The note looks at the strategy of the
Malawi Social Action Fund (MASAF) in linking the roles of
information, education, and communication (IEC), designed
through a process known as "systematic client
consultations" which involved nongovernmental
organizations, communities, government officials, as well as
donor participants. Given the budget for IEC activities was
high, a public awareness campaign was launched early on, and
follow-on programs reinforced the benefits from MASAF
subprojects: it involves a two-way communication, where
facilitators work intensively with the communities on
identifying IEC needs, and gaps. Significant impacts of this
free flow of information have been better working
relationships between stakeholders, and improved trust among
the various key players. Among the lessons learned, the
importance for an IEC campaign to precede project
implementation is reinforced, so as to inform, and shape
opinion on project features, provided such communication
initiative is followed up with a second wave of
clarification, and by regular dissemination of project
experiences, emphasizing the non-political, non-partisan
nature of the project, enhancing responsiveness to community
demands, and, highlighting adherence to publicly-stated norms.
Citation
“Chibwana, Bridget; Mohan, Prasad. 2001. The Role of Information, Education and Communication in the Malawi Social Action Fund. Social Funds Innovation Updates; Vol. 1, No. 3. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/6decb16e-f7e1-5ee5-9f9b-acfca3c0498a License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”