One Year of the Sisters’ Blended Value Project (SBVP) in Malawi

In 2025, the Sisters Blended Value Project (SBVP) expanded and commenced operations in Malawi with a clear goal to strengthen the capacity of Catholic sisters to lead, manage, and sustain social enterprises that address urgent community needs. Over the past twelve months, SBVP Malawi has become an active space for learning and growth, emphasizing the vital role of sisters as agents of social and economic change.

At the heart of SBVP has been capacity-building through structured training. Two groups of sisters participated in the Social Enterprise Development Programme (SEDP): SEDP Start and SEDP Advance with fifteen sisters enrolled in the SEDP Start programme. The programme introduced participants to the principles of social entrepreneurship, leadership, governance, financial management, and project planning. For many sisters, this was a crucial first step in transforming their ministries into sustainable, mission-driven enterprises. Sr. Margaret Kapito from the Congregation of the Medical Mission Sisters expressed great appreciation for the programme, noting that the training had inspired the sisters in her congregation to begin developing a social enterprise within their community. She explained that several modules were particularly valuable, especially those focused on financial management and the effective use of limited resources. She added that the programme has now equipped them with practical skills that will enable them to return to their various missions and apostolates and make them more sustainable.

For congregations already managing social enterprises, their Sisters participated in the SEDP Advance programme, which brought together twenty-four Catholic Sisters. The program aimed to deepen skills in strategic planning, impact measurement, sustainability, and the expansion of social initiatives. According to Sr. Florence Manja from the Congregation of the Daughters of Wisdom and Principal Hospital Administrator at Murambe Mission Hospital, their congregation greatly benefited from the SBVP training. She noted that the training contents were clearly presented and easy to follow. Further,  the facilitators were friendly and approachable, and they used effective and engaging teaching methods. Both programs helped Sisters at various stages of enterprise development gain practical skills to strengthen and sustain their social enterprises.

As SBVP Malawi begins its second year, the focus shifts to creating a lasting impact, marked by the upcoming graduation of thirty-nine Sisters later this year. For SBVP, graduation signifies  that participants are prepared to apply the knowledge and skills gained during the programme in their ministries and apostolates. Prior to graduating, the Sisters present their Action Learning Projects (ALPs) to a panel of judges. They have the opportunity to demonstrate how they have transformed their learning into practical initiatives that address community needs while promoting sustainability. As part of their preparation, they are coached on how to design and present their ALPs. The sisters collaborate with their coaches to ensure that the ALPs are clear, feasible, and impactful. Significantly, SBVP ensures that these ALPs are also structured to serve as funding proposals, enabling congregations to utilize them to seek partnerships or financial support for implementing their social enterprises within their communities.

Looking ahead, preparations are underway for an SBVP Malawi conference that will bring together Catholic sisters, partners, and key stakeholders to chart the way forward for sustaining impact in social enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This event will provide a platform for shared learning, reflection, and collaboration. It will showcase emerging social enterprise models, encourage peer-to-peer exchange, and strengthen networks vital for long-term sustainability. The conference will also reaffirm SBVP’s commitment to collaborative networks and evidence-based dialogue as catalysts for systemic change.

One year on in Malawi,  the initiative is already driving discussions on meaningful social and economic change. Through structured learning, mentorship, and collaborative engagement, SBVP participants are gaining the confidence and skills to develop sustainable solutions that address community needs. Beyond individual skill development, the initiative is fostering a culture of innovation, shared learning, and partnership that enhances long-term impact. As participants move from learning to action, the experience demonstrates how targeted support and capacity-building can help religious social ministries expand their roles in promoting inclusive and sustainable development.

Article by Alex Okoth