The gradual withdrawal of donors since Botswana’s elevation to middle-income status in 2005 has hit civil society organisations (CSOs) in the country, according to a report by the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Development Dairies understands that the newly released report on the sustainability of CSOs in sub-Saharan Africa suggests that the work of some of the bigger organisations in Botswana, including SOS Children’s Village, has been adversely affected.
It was gathered that back in 2019 SOS Children’s Village was informed by its regular international funders that they will gradually stop supporting the village due to Botswana’s improved economic status.
‘SOS Botswana has asked the government to increase its funding by 50 percent to maintain operations, but the government was unable to comply with this request’, the report noted.
Development Diaries also understands that the continued withdrawal of donors from Botswana piled pressure on the government to fund and manage priority developmental programmes without external support.
‘Specific data about government funding levels are unavailable. The government continued to fund some CSOs in 2019, although uncertain funding criteria and delayed disbursement still posed challenges’, the report noted.
‘In addition, the requirements of government funding mechanisms typically differ from donors’ requirements’.
The hardest hit by the withdrawal of donors are CSOs in rural areas, with many organisations in these areas operated with little funding last year, with some even having to close shop.
‘Small CSOs are often unable to compete for funding with larger organisations. For example, small CSOs in New Xade settlements are expected to submit their grant proposals via email but lack the facilities to do so’, the report said.
In addressing some of these challenges, CSOs working in health care, such as African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships (ACHAP) and Botswana Network on LAW and AIDS (BONELA), developed social contracting mechanisms and formalised contractual partnerships.
Source: The Voice
Photo source: Helen Lamour
