The results of the Malawi Development Programme 2008 were announced on Monday. All new grant holders have been informed of decisions and we are now preparing the relevant paperwork confirming the allocations and grant conditions, including monitoring and reporting requirements.

The grant management process will be co-ordinated by a Scottish Government Grant Liaison Officer, further supported by individual Project Managers who will be assigned to each project. All new grant holders will be receiving a call from their Project Manager, followed by the formal grant offer letter. Once grant holders have returned their acceptance form and grant claim form, the first instalments can be released.

We are continuing our dialogue with the Government of Malawi to consider where further support is required and to identify any remaining gaps in our agreed programme of priorities. As part of this process, officials have identified a small number of unsuccessful applications that warrant further discussion between officials and the lead applicants. The selection of applicants for follow up discussion has been agreed by Ministers.

Decisions regarding the timing of future funding rounds for Malawi will be made on conclusion of all these discussions. NIDOS and SMP will be alerted as soon as this information is available.

During this time, officials are unable to undertake feedback meetings with unsuccessful applicants. Feedback has however been provided to all unsuccessful applicants by the independent assessors, LTS International.

Scottish Government, International Division, 23/10/08

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