The Zambia NGO WASH Forum has embarked on Financial Management Training for staff from member organizations that handle finance before giving grants to those that will qualify later.
Speaking at a Financial Management Training in Tiffany’s Canyon in Kafue District, Water Voices United Project (WVU) Deputy Project Manager Davy Ng’oma stated that the NGO WASH Forum had identified various bottlenecks across the membership.
He explained that the training was intended to address these issues, specifically concerning finances and grant management.
Mr. Ng’oma noted that the training also served as preparation for participants who might succeed in acquiring grants from the project.
He emphasized that the training would help participants understand the project’s expectations, manage grants effectively, and ensure compliance with financial management regulations.
Meanwhile, Zambia NGO WASH Forum Coordinator Ms. Bubala Muyovwe Mumba stated that the WASH Forum had once been a small and relatively weak organization, and gaining trust and access to larger funding had been a challenge.
She noted that people tend to be left behind if they lack the tools to participate in important dialogues and decision-making spaces, particularly in the development sector.
Ms. Mumba encouraged participants to remain committed and ambitious throughout the exercise.
She highlighted that training initiatives like the one being conducted were designed to build sustainable capacity, especially among local partners.
Ms. Mumba said the goal was to equip members with technical skills and accounting systems to qualify for larger grants and funding streams.
Ms. Mumba added that the Forum aimed to help its members make a continuous impact and rise to meet evolving challenges by focusing on transparency, growth, and positioning within broader financing systems.
She said the training will focus on financial management fundamentals, including budgeting, financial reporting, audit readiness, internal controls, risk management, and sustainability strategies.
Ms Mumba said participants will gain essential technical skills to ensure proper financial procedures, compliance with regulations, and effective procurement management.
She paid tribute to the European Union for supporting the Forum in building capacity among member organizations through the Water Voices United project.
“The Water Voices United is a transformative four-year project, co-funded by the European Union and Danish People’s Aid and spearheaded by SNV in partnership with the NGO WASH Forum. This initiative aims to enhance the capabilities and synergies among WASH Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Zambia. By fostering the CSOs role in WASH governance, the project supports the Zambian Government’s efforts towards the progressive realization of the Human Right to Water and Sanitation. Together, we are not just aiming for change; we’re ensuring a sustainable and equitable future where access to clean water and safe sanitation becomes a reality for all,” he said.
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