From August 25 to August 29, 2025, CISANET, under the Combating Corruption in Affordable Inputs Program (COCOA) project, conducted training sessions aimed at establishing Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) Committees in the Phalombe and Dedza districts, where the project is being implemented. This initiative was designed to empower the District Agriculture Extension Coordinating Committee, members of the district civil society organization network, and community members on the processes for reporting and addressing grievances, complaints, and other corruption-related issues arising from the Affordable Input Program (AIP). The goal was to enhance transparency and accountability in the implementation of the program.
The training was carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture AIP coordinating unit and the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), resulting in the establishment of six GRM committees in Phalombe district and five committees in Dedza district.
The formation of these GRM committees will create a structured and accessible process for lodging, investigating, and resolving grievances related to the AIP in a fair, transparent, and efficient manner. This, in turn, will foster a reliable and trusted mechanism for addressing community concerns regarding the program. The GRM committees consist of area stakeholder panels, integrity committees, lead farmers, and village development committees.
Members of the committees received orientation on GRM guidelines, equipping them with the knowledge to receive, assess, and resolve complaints and concerns submitted by individuals and groups. This exercise is vital not only for mitigating inefficiencies arising from the program but also for promoting ethical, effective, and inclusive governance. It will ensure continuous improvement of the program, ensuring that the voices of all community members, particularly the vulnerable, are heard and addressed. The establishment of these committees will also facilitate the provision of feedback in a systematic and timely manner.