Sisters’ Blended Value Project Expands to Malawi, Bringing Transformative Change

LILONGWE, Malawi – A groundbreaking initiative transforming social ministries into sustainable social enterprises across Africa is now making its way to Malawi. The Sisters’ Blended Value Project (SBVP), a program designed to equip Catholic sisters with essential business and leadership skills, is expanding its impact and empowering local congregations to create lasting social and economic change.

SBVP is implemented by Strathmore University Business School in collaboration with the Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA) and with the support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Since its launch, SBVP has trained a total of 690 sisters from 147 congregations in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia. The project has also generated substantial knowledge outputs, including 13 journal papers, 17 case studies, and 13 whitepapers documenting best practices in faith-based social entrepreneurship. Financially, the program has empowered at least 61 congregations through seed grants while fostering vibrant, collaborative networks through conferences, webinars, peer mentorship, and coaching. As SBVP expands to Malawi, this proven framework offers Malawian sisters immediate access to established methodologies, funding mechanisms, and a tested support system – ensuring their social ministries can rapidly transition to sustainable, impactful enterprises. The program’s documented successes provide a blueprint and confidence for replication in the Malawian context.

To ensure successful implementation in Malawi, SBVP is partnering with the Association of Women in Religious Institutes of Malawi (AWRIM), a member of ACWECA and the national body representing religious sisters in Malawi. Last week, a critical stakeholder meeting was held with the major superiors of Malawi, marking a significant step in SBVP’s expansion into the country. The primary agenda focused on providing an overview of SBVP’s key milestones from the previous phase (2022-2024), highlighting the remarkable achievements in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia. This overview served as a foundation for introducing the planned activities as SBVP prepares to launch its project activities in Malawi. The meeting also aimed to gather valuable insights and feedback from the major superiors, ensuring that the program is well-received by both religious leaders and the sisters. This dialogue will help tailor the approach to the unique needs of the sisters in Malawi, fostering a strong relationship between SBVP and the congregations.

One of the key next steps discussed during the meeting was the execution of a Training Needs Assessment (TNA). This TNA will be instrumental in identifying the specific skill gaps and areas of development for the sisters in Malawi, ensuring that the upcoming program activities are relevant, impactful, and responsive to their needs. Following the completion of the assessment, the official rollout of SBVP’s initiatives is scheduled for June 2025. The positive reception from the major superiors clearly indicated their support for SBVP’s mission and its potential to empower sisters in Malawi to develop financially independent, mission-driven enterprises. The feedback gathered during this meeting will play a crucial role in shaping the successful implementation of SBVP in the country.

This transformative phase of the SBVP initiative is designed to empower Catholic sisters with the tools and resources needed to achieve sustainable self-reliance, enabling them to revitalize their congregations and serve their communities more effectively. Sisters can sustain their vital charisms by transitioning traditional social ministries into innovative, faith-based social enterprises while creating meaningful impact that aligns with gospel values. The program’s strategic objectives focus on: 

1. Building institutional capacity through comprehensive training in social entrepreneurship, financial management, and leadership development to create sustainable funding models for ministries; 
2. Fostering a culture of innovation through collaborative networks that facilitate knowledge-sharing, best practice exchange, and the development of a vibrant community of practice among sisters across Africa; 
3. Establishing a robust knowledge management system to document successes, measure impact, and create an accessible repository of resources to strengthen the collective work of Catholic sisters; and 
4. Expanding financial accessibility through a dedicated Social Impact Fund that provides affordable financing solutions and connects sisters with critical financial services to scale their initiatives. 

SBVP has seen remarkable results in the previous phase in countries like Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, where sisters have transformed struggling ministries into thriving enterprises. One notable success was in Zambia, where the Dominican Missionary Sisters built an all-boys boarding school to tackle the issue of school dropouts due to economic hardship. Having no funds, the sisters applied SBVP’s training to develop a strategic fundraising plan, engage community stakeholders, and implement sustainable revenue models. When they received the seed grant from SBVP, the sisters turned their vision into reality, admitting the first cohort to their first year of secondary education in January 2025. This, among many, is a story that is a powerful example of what can be achieved when religious sisters are empowered with the right skills and resources.

The expansion of SBVP to Malawi marks a transformative era for Catholic sisters, providing them with essential tools to revolutionize their social ministries. For decades, Malawian sisters have driven community development, operating schools, hospitals, and social programs despite limited resources. SBVP aims to enhance its impact through capacity building in business acumen, financial management, and social entrepreneurship. Sisters will benefit from tailored workshops and mentorship, gaining strategic planning, budgeting, and income generation skills, and transforming traditional charity models into sustainable enterprises. This shift from donor dependence to financial autonomy ensures their critical work can continue uninterrupted, regardless of external funding challenges.

Beyond financial skills, the program fosters leadership development, enabling sisters to make data-driven decisions and implement evidence-based solutions for greater community impact. The collaborative network will connect Malawian sisters with counterparts across the ACWECA region, creating a platform for knowledge exchange and best practices. SBVP’s focus on social enterprise equips sisters to develop innovative revenue streams, making their missions self-sustaining. As they become more financially literate and business-savvy, they also emerge as role models for women’s leadership in Malawi. This holistic approach ensures that ministries not only sustain but expand their reach, allowing sisters to touch more lives while upholding their spiritual mission.

As SBVP enters Malawi, it carries a bold message: Sustainability is the future of social impact. With the right tools, training, and vision, Malawi’s sisters are ready to lead the way. This expansion will not only empower sisters in Malawi but also set a precedent for similar initiatives across Africa, creating a ripple effect for sustainable development for generations to come.