UNICEF Malawi and the University of Malawi (UNIMA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 1st October 2021 to work together and contribute towards the realization of children’s rights by supporting evidence informed decision making through quality and credible evidence generation on the needs and prioritization of children, adolescents, and their families. This MoU is focused on research, evaluations, and knowledge management.

This concept note describes the activities that will be carried out in 2022 as part of the MoU between UNICEF and UNIMA. These activities include the following workshops: an evaluation training, translation of research findings into policy and programming and popularizing the Malawi 2063, its first 10-year plan and the draft national research agenda to inform the implementation of the Malawi 2063.

In addition to this, the UNIMA will organize an annual dissemination workshop which will feature presentations based on studies that have been supported by UNICEF and conducted by the UNIMA and other Higher Education Institutions (HEI) and research institutions in Malawi as well as other presentations on work supported by other funding agencies. There will be two training workshops targeting junior faculty in HEI to strengthen their capacity in conducting research on children and other issues that are relevant for UNICEF and the Government of Malawi (GoM)