Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through GIZ, the Food Systems Transformative Initiative (TI) was launched to respond to persistent challenges within Malawi’s food systems. Despite ongoing interventions, many communities continue to face barriers such as limited access to affordable, nutritious diets, unhealthy consumption patterns, and weak capacities in agro-processing, value addition, and food utilization. These challenges were highlighted in the Malawi Food Systems National Pathways Report developed under the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit.

Implemented by the Civil Society Organisations Nutrition Alliance (CSONA), Civil Society Agriculture Network (CISANET), and the MWAPATA Institute, the initiative operates in Dedza, Chikwawa, and Mzimba Districts. It focuses on strengthening district and community-level food systems through advocacy, capacity building, and research.

A major achievement of the initiative has been empowering civil society organisations (CSOs) to champion food systems transformation.

Since early 2024, the TI has trained over 50 CSO members across the three districts, focusing on organisations involved in agriculture, nutrition, education, and community advocacy. These efforts are now reaching the grassroots, equipping communities and traditional leaders to understand and engage in their own food systems.

Partners CSONA, CISANET, and MWAPATA have also strengthened their technical capacity through GIZ-supported training, enhancing their ability to drive sustainable food systems change.