The Malawi Economics Justice Network (MEJN) has expressed contentment with the progress of its K29 million venture aiming at inspecting how local council’s budgets are addressing the needs of the youth in the country.

The project which commenced last year and is being implemented in Mangochi, Nsanje, Lilongwe and Nkhotakota followed a survey which revealed a gap in this intervention.

Mike Marvin Banda, MEJN’s Southern Region Coordinator said the initiative is registering significant progress in sensitizing young people on budget matters.

He however bemoaned lack of information as the major challenge limiting the project’s success.

“public expenditure tracking requires adequate information, however availability is a challenge,” he elaborated.

Banda added that the organization is to track the school improvement grant in Zomba.

“On Saturday we will be launching an initiative with Chancellor College students to track the school improvement grant,” he explained.

He further said that this is essential if young people in the country are to become conversant with budgetary matters.

Banda emphasized that this will encourage young people to lobby for their economic rights.

“knowledge of how much resources have been allocated will prompt them to demand more resources where necessary,” he clarified.

Almost 70% of Malawi’s population are the youth, hence making resource allocation to youth development projects a critical matter to ensure substantial economic development.