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CQOPICQOPI

About CQOPI

A community-led path to self-reliance

Community Quilt of Progress Initiative (CQOPI) is a Malawian non-profit, non-political and public-benefit organisation established to promote sustainable and inclusive community development. CQOPI seeks to move beyond short-term dependency by supporting individuals, households and communities to develop sustainable livelihoods, build productive assets, create wealth, strengthen resilience and become increasingly self-reliant. The organisation will initially operate in Ntchisi District and progressively expand to other districts of Malawi according to community needs, resources, partnerships and organisational capacity.

Our Mission

To empower individuals and communities to build prosperous, resilient and self-reliant lives through economic empowerment, sustainable livelihoods, skills development and inclusive community development.

Our Vision

A prosperous, resilient and self-reliant society where individuals and communities have the opportunities, resources and capabilities to thrive.

What guides us

Core values

  • 1Self-Reliance
  • 2Empowerment
  • 3Integrity
  • 4Inclusion
  • 5Innovation
  • 6Sustainability
  • 7Community Ownership
  • 8Partnership

Our commitments

Objectives

  1. 01

    To promote economic empowerment and wealth creation at community and household level.

  2. 02

    To improve livelihoods and promote sustainable income-generating opportunities for individuals and communities.

  3. 03

    To strengthen community capacity to develop, manage and sustain productive assets, enterprises and community-based initiatives.

  4. 04

    To promote the social and economic empowerment of women, youth and vulnerable or disadvantaged groups.

  5. 05

    To promote education, skills development, knowledge, innovation and technology as drivers of individual and community progress.

  6. 06

    To strengthen the resilience and self-reliance of individuals, households and communities in responding to social, economic and environmental challenges.

  7. 07

    To mobilise resources and build strategic partnerships with government, private sector, development partners, civil society and other stakeholders for sustainable community development.

  8. 08

    To undertake research, advocacy, innovation and community development initiatives that contribute to inclusive, sustainable and measurable progress.

How we're organised

Governance

CQOPI operates under a Constitution that sets out its governance, financial management, safeguarding and accountability framework, and prohibits the distribution of income or assets for private benefit.

  1. 1

    General Membership

    The broad membership body of the organisation.

  2. 2

    Board of Directors/Trustees

    5–9 members

    The principal governing and oversight body.

  3. 3

    Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer

    Responsible for day-to-day management of the organisation.

  4. 4

    Secretariat

    The administrative and operational team supporting implementation of CQOPI's programmes.

  5. 5

    Board Committees

    Specialist committees established by the Board to oversee specific areas of governance and operations.

Board committees

Finance and AuditProgrammes and DevelopmentGovernance and Human ResourcesResource Mobilisation and PartnershipsRisk and Compliance

Where we're headed

Three-year roadmap

  1. Year 1

    Establish CQOPI systems, community mobilisation and pilot programmes in Ntchisi

  2. Year 2

    Expand successful programmes and strengthen partnerships

  3. Year 3

    Scale proven programmes within Ntchisi and begin expansion to selected additional districts