A Milestone: The Goeldner Foundation Officially Recognized as an NGO in Malawi - 03.03.2026
- Mar 3
- 2 min read
Another important milestone for our work on the ground has been reached: since February 2026, the Goeldner Foundation has been officially registered as a recognized Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Malawi.
The registration was carried out through CONGOMA (Council for Non-Governmental Organizations in Malawi), the legally mandated umbrella body for NGOs in the country. Under the NGO Act of Malawi, CONGOMA is authorized to recognize and register non-governmental organizations operating in Malawi. In addition, it coordinates and represents NGOs in their engagement with government institutions, development partners, and the public. Through national and regional networks, the organization strengthens cooperation, promotes transparency, and helps ensure that civil society organizations can effectively contribute to Malawi’s development.
With our registration, we are now officially part of this structure and have a clear legal footing in Malawi. This facilitates cooperation with authorities, strengthens trust among partners, and provides a stable foundation for our work in the country. The official recognition also brings very practical advantages: for example, when importing goods - such as shipping containers to Malawi - we will benefit from tax concessions and simplified customs procedures. This means that more resources can flow directly into our projects.
The seat of our new NGO is located at our recently renovated guesthouse in Nazareth (Mganja, Dedza District). The house is not only a place to stay for guests, but will also serve as the organizational center of our projects. From here, initiatives will be planned, partnerships maintained, and the further development of our work on the ground coordinated.
Our team in Malawi has also grown. From the very beginning, it has been important to us that the work of the Malawian NGO is shaped primarily by the people on the ground. Our projects should not be managed and implemented solely from Germany, but rather developed and carried out together in partnership.
The authorized members of the NGO include Patrick Maluwa, Matthews Hau-Hau, and Frank Banda. Patrick takes on a central role as local coordinator, supporting organizational coordination and strengthening communication between Malawi and Germany. Together with Matthews, our long-time friend and project coordinator, and Frank Banda, head of the Luntha Clinic in Golomoti which we support, he played a key role in preparing and implementing the NGO registration process in Malawi.
The registration process involved numerous formal steps, consultations, and discussions, and required a great deal of patience, perseverance, and dedication. That we were able to successfully complete this important step is largely thanks to the commitment of our team in Malawi.
Their experience, local roots, and perspectives will strongly shape the future work of the NGO and help ensure the sustainable and successful implementation of our projects.
