Background:
CONGOMA developed from the Council for Social Welfare of Malawi. As the number of NGOs in Malawi grew, both because of the impact of Mozambican refugees and the introduction of multi-party government, NGOs found that they needed an organization to represent the NGO community. CONGOMA was created in 1987. Objectives: CONGOMA`s serves as an umbrella for NGOs in Malawi and to represent their interests. It works: to enhance and improve operational environments within which NGOs function; to promote and facilitate co-ordination, collaboration and co-operation within the NGO community and between the NGO community, the government of Malawi, the donor community and the public sector; to further the understanding of NGOs as competent, professional and suitable agents of development; and to support member NGOs to build and strengthen their institutional capacity.
 
Activities:
It advocates on behalf of NGOs; provides information about the NGO community to those who need it; it organizes workshops, seminars and conferences on issues such as poverty alleviation and institutional development; it has special activity networks [e.g., on HIV/AIDS]; and offers support, advice and information to NGOs. Description from Wiser Earth.