Our impact
We're really proud of what we achieve, together, as a network.
The SMP is a member-led network organisation and an independent national charity.
We receive public funding to cover much of our core costs from the Scottish Government. As such we think its hugely important that the SMP is transparent and accountable about all aspects of our work, its value and impact.
Please read about the impact of our work for our members, together with the latest independent evaluations of the SMP, below.
“ ”Liam McArthur MSP, and Scottish Parliament's Deputy Presiding Officer of an SMP programmed Cross-Party Group meeting, 2026“Without doubt…one of the most engaging and powerful contributions I’ve heard at a Cross-Party Group in the 18 years I’ve been an MSP.”
What the SMP does
Our key work strands:
- Underpinned by strong knowledge of Malawi, we deliver 40 focused events and forums annually for our members.
- We are the bridge to forge essential relationships between Scottish and Malawi partners, and provide visa support to members.
- We provide a tailored education programme across Scotland’s schools, on themes of global citizenship.
- We provide the Malawi Cross Party Group (CPG) parliamentary group within the Scottish Parliament.
- Our expertly curated weekly newsletter provides vital news and information for 52 weeks of the year, with open rates of 34% on average.
What our members say
SMP SCHOOL MEMBERS
- 100% of over 600 primary and secondary school pupils surveyed across 12 schools from the Scottish Borders to the Highlands said that their awareness of Scotland-Malawi links had increased as a result of the SMP visits.
- 92% of participants in SMP activities who completed post event questionnaires/surveys say the SMP has supported their partnership with Malawi
- 96% had heightened awareness of others' activities with Malawi.
- Of the 400 people who attended the first three of our touring photographic exhibitions in 2025-26 depicting thematically and geographically diverse Scotland-Malawi partnerships, 100% of those who completed surveys say that the exhibition increased their awareness of links between the 2 nations.
“ ”An example of practical support for SMP members measured in cash and sustainability from an SMP MemberThe SMP's workshop on money transfer saved our charity £25,000 last year. Without this we may not have survived the terrible inflation in Malawi. I just want you all to know the really amazing impact that you’re making.
In addition to our own in-depth monitoring and evaluation across all our work we also undertake an independent evaluation each year. Find our more below...
Latest Independent Evaluations
- Read the Independent Evaluation of our work in 2025-2026, undertaken by Chrissie Cvetković-Hirst in which she notes "a range of evidence provided to support the conclusion that the SMP has successfully delivered on the outcomes and targets for this 2025-26 year".
- Read the Independent Evaluation of our work in 2023-24, undertaken by the Corra Foundation.
University of Edinburgh research
The University of Edinburgh undertook research to assess the scale and impact of the Scotland-Malawi Partnership.
Here are some highlights:
- SMP members represent a community of more than 109,000 Scots and 208,000 Malawians, working actively in partnership together each year.
- SMP members contribute more than £49 million of activity to their links with Malawi each year.
- The work done by members of the SMP benefits BOTH Malawi and Scotland. Each year more than 260,000 Scots and 5.6 million Malawians directly and indirectly benefit from this activity.
Read the University of Edinburgh full research paper on Scotland Malawi Partnership here.
University of Glasgow study
The Scotland and Malawi relationship is as strong as ever as evidenced below:
44% of Scots personally know someone | 77% of Scots are in favour of links with Malawi |
Source: University of Glasgow study commissioned by the SMP interviewed 449 randomly selected Scots in May 2018.