By Ginaba Lino
Misereor has organized a two-day workshop to strengthen financial management and accountability among partners implementing donor-funded projects across Sudan and South Sudan.
The workshop brought together 25 participants, including diocesan directors, project financial officers and representatives of local organizations, to review financial and administrative requirements for projects funded through MISEREOR/KZE.
The training focused on donor compliance, financial reporting, accounting procedures, procurement regulations, voucher management, audits, shared-cost allocation and vehicle logbooks. Participants also examined how to identify and prevent ineligible expenditure to ensure project funds are used for their intended purposes.
The sessions were facilitated by Christian Maywurm, Misereor Quality Assurance Officer, and Uwe Bergmeier, Head of Misereor Dialogue and Partnership Service (DPS) for South Sudan.
The participants also engaged in thematic discussions using the World Café method, an interactive approach designed to encourage knowledge-sharing, examine practical challenges and develop solutions to improve financial compliance and project implementation.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Abui Joseph welcomed the training, saying it had provided an opportunity to clarify financial guidelines and exchange experiences with other Misereor partners.
“We are grateful for this training because, as partners implementing Misereor-funded projects, we need to understand the guidelines for financial management, particularly the new requirements. The discussions have helped answer our questions, and we intend to apply the knowledge gained in our work,” Joseph said.
He added that the lessons learned will benefit organizations managing projects funded by other donors, while recommending longer training sessions to allow participants more time to understand and apply the procedures.
Misereor Quality Assurance Officer Christian Maywurm thanked participants for their active engagement and encouraged them to seek clarification when questions arise during implementation.
“I noticed that you had many questions, and it was good that you raised them. I hope we were able to clarify your concerns. If further questions arise when you return to your offices, please feel free to contact me or Leah, your main contact for financial matters,” he said.
The Head of Misereor Dialogue and Partnership Service (DPS) for South Sudan Uwe Bergmeier, also thanked participants and highlighted the importance of sharing practical tools and resources that could support partner organizations in their work.
The workshop provided a platform for diocesan representatives and other implementing partners to strengthen their understanding of financial procedures and exchange experiences on the responsible management of project resources.
Through the training, Misereor and its partners seek to promote sound financial practices, transparency and accountability in development initiatives supporting communities across Sudan and South Sudan.