Center for Community Organisation and Development

11/06/2026

Please participate in ourUrban Rental Housing Survey if you are a tenant. Takes less than 3 minutes to complete. Follow the link.

INTRODUCTION Good morning/afternoon. I am from Centre for Community Organisation and Development (CCODE) working on a study examining rental housing conditions in Malawi. The purpose of this survey is to better understand housing affordability, rental costs, housing quality, tenant protections, acce...

09/06/2026

Laying the Groundwork for Housing Development at Tamanga!

Today, Tamanga Housing Cooperative Society Limited (TAHOCO), with support from CCODE, convened the Road Paving, Plot Demarcation and Beacon Installation Taskforce Inception Meeting.

The meeting brought together taskforce members to discuss the next critical steps in transforming the Tamanga housing project into a well-planned and organized settlement. Discussions focused on road paving, plot demarcation, plot allocation, and beacon installation key activities that will help cooperative members clearly identify their plots and prepare for future housing development.

This milestone marks another important step towards creating secure, affordable, and well-planned housing opportunities for cooperative members while strengthening community-led development.

08/06/2026

DATA COLLECTION HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN!

Today marks an exciting milestone for the SDI Impact Innovation Initiative.

After successfully training 100 young data collectors, field data collection activities have officially commenced in Blantyre, Malawi. These dedicated young people are now stepping into their communities to gather vital information that will help shape evidence-based solutions to the challenges facing residents of informal settlements.

Through this initiative, young people are being empowered as knowledge leaders and change-makers, equipped with skills in data collection, research, storytelling, and community engagement. Their work will help uncover the realities, opportunities, and aspirations of youth living in informal settlements while contributing to innovative approaches for poverty reduction and sustainable urban development.

Implemented by the Center for Community Organization and Development (CCODE) in Blantyre, this transformative programme is part of a seven-country initiative spanning Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Senegal.

#

07/06/2026

Building Homes, Strengthening Communities!

Members of the Tamanga Housing Cooperative (TOHOCO) recently convened for a land grading and leadership meeting to review progress on the Tamanga Housing Project and discuss key developments aimed at accelerating home ownership for cooperative members.

The meeting provided updates on loan repayments, housing project implementation, road construction, and beacon placement activities. Members were encouraged to remain committed to fulfilling their loan obligations, as timely repayments are essential for sustaining the cooperative's vision of providing affordable housing opportunities.

Significant progress has been made, with over 72% of plot loans already repaid. Members also discussed upcoming road construction and beacon placement activities, which will help ensure proper plot identification and improve accessibility within the development.

The cooperative further outlined its housing loan model, designed to support members in constructing decent homes while promoting responsible property ownership and long-term community development.

06/06/2026

Participants underwent a Data Collection Training Session under the "SDI III Project", equipping them with essential skills and knowledge to gather accurate and reliable community data on the 5th of June 2026.

The training focused on strengthening the capacity of enumerators and community representatives to collect, manage, and analyze information that will support evidence-based planning and development in informal settlements. Quality data is a powerful tool for understanding community needs, identifying priorities, and driving inclusive urban development.

Through this training, participants prepared to play a critical role in generating the information needed to inform interventions, advocate for communities, and contribute to sustainable change.

05/06/2026

Building Climate-Resilient Communities Starts with Collaboration!

The Center for Community Organisation and Development (CCODE) successfully conducted a community entry meeting in Mgona under the "Accelerating Locally Led Responses to Climate Change in Informal Settlements and Slums (ALLRCISS)" project on the 4th of June 2026.

The meeting brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from the Lilongwe City Council, the Department of Urban Development under the Ministry of Lands, the Ward Councillor, the Ward Development Committee, waste entrepreneurs, the DODMA Committee, block leaders, and community members.

A total of "55 participants" attended the meeting, demonstrating a strong commitment to addressing climate change challenges within informal settlements. The discussions provided an opportunity to introduce the project, share its objectives, and explore collaborative approaches to building community resilience.

We are encouraged by the positive reception from both community members and stakeholders, who expressed their willingness to work hand in hand with CCODE to ensure the successful implementation of the project.

Together, we can create sustainable, climate-resilient communities and drive locally led solutions for a better future.

04/06/2026

Gender Makes Business Sense!

Under the WE4D Programme, 46 waste entrepreneurs from Mtandile participated in a transformative
"Gender Makes Business Sense "training aimed at strengthening inclusive and sustainable waste enterprises.

The training explored the importance of integrating gender considerations into waste businesses, highlighting how equal participation and opportunities can contribute to business growth, productivity, and community development.

Participants also gained practical knowledge on:
Key components of successful business operations
Financial discipline and sound business management
Safeguarding principles in the workplace
Understanding and implementing the Safeguarding Policy developed by CCODE and its partners within waste business operations

By promoting gender-responsive entrepreneurship, financial accountability, and safe working environments, the WE4D Programme continues to empower waste entrepreneurs to build resilient businesses while fostering dignity, inclusion, and protection for all.

Together, we are creating waste enterprises that are not only profitable but also equitable and safe for everyone.

03/06/2026

Strengthening Partnerships for Community-Led Mapping and Climate-Health Solutions!

CCODE is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with OpenStreetMap Malawi, marking an important partnership under the "Revolutionising Use of Geospatial Data for Climate-Health and Infectious Diseases" project.

Through this collaboration, and OpenStreetMap Malawi will serve as a key technical partner in the mapping activities to be conducted in Mtandile, Lilongwe. Together, we will support community-led data collection, digital mapping, and geospatial analysis aimed at improving understanding of climate-related health risks and strengthening responses to infectious diseases such as cholera.

This partnership reflects our shared commitment to leveraging open data, community knowledge, and innovative technologies to build healthier, more resilient informal settlements.

We look forward to working closely with OpenStreetMap Malawi, community members, local authorities, and other stakeholders to generate accurate and actionable data that can inform planning, service delivery, and climate-health interventions.

Together, we are mapping communities for healthier and more resilient futures.

01/06/2026

CCODE convened a strategic stakeholder planning meeting under the Accelerating Locally Led Responses to Climate Change in Informal Settlements and Slums (ALLRCISS) project today on the 1st of June 2026.

The meeting brought together key representatives from Lilongwe City Council, Habitat for Humanity Malawi, CCODE, the Federation, and the Urban Executive Committee (UEC) who were identified during the introductory stakeholder engagement meeting. The discussions focused on developing practical approaches for piloting the project and strengthening collaboration among institutions that will support its implementation.

Participants explored potential pilot interventions, clarified institutional roles and responsibilities, and agreed on key actions needed to advance locally led climate resilience initiatives in informal settlements.

Through collective planning and partnership, the ALLRCISS project continues to promote sustainable solutions that empower communities to respond to the growing impacts of climate change.

29/05/2026

Young people are taking the lead in transforming informal settlements through knowledge, innovation, and action!

Today the 29th of May 2026, youth participating in the SDI Impact Innovation Initiative: Young Africa Works for the Transformation of Slums and Informal Settlements are undergoing orientation on the use of Kobo Toolbox, a digital data collection platform, in preparation for a pilot data collection exercise scheduled for tomorrow.

The training is equipping young people with practical skills in digital data gathering, strengthening their capacity to generate evidence on the challenges and opportunities within their communities. Through this process, they are becoming knowledge entrepreneurs capable of collecting, analysing, and sharing data that can drive meaningful change in informal settlements.

Implemented by CCODE in Blantyre the initiative seeks to empower youth to become leaders in research, storytelling, innovation, and community engagement. By amplifying youth voices and experiences, the programme aims to influence policies, investments, and development interventions that improve livelihoods and reduce urban poverty.

Together, we are building a generation of informed, empowered, and innovative young leaders committed to transforming their communities.