01/06/2026
Legal & registration framework in Botswana
In Botswana, non-profit organisations (societies, NGOs, charitable organisations, clubs, religious groups, etc.) are generally registered under the Societies Act, 2022, or — in some cases — via a trust deed in the Deeds Registry.
A “society” under the law is defined broadly: for most non-profits (not religious societies) it means an association of at least 20 persons; religious societies may have a different threshold under certain definitions.
Once formed, the society must apply for registration within 28 days.
What you need to register: core requirements and documents
To register a non-profit / NGO / society in Botswana, you typically need the following:
Requirement / Document Details / Notes
Minimum number of members At least 20 members (for most societies / NGOs) must come together to form the organisation.
Founding meeting & minutes A meeting to form the group must be held; minutes of the meeting must record the founding, election of officials, and list of attendees (with their national identity numbers for citizens).
Governing structure / officers At minimum a governing board / committee with officers like Chair/President, Secretary, Treasurer (or equivalents). The constitution must specify roles, decision-making, membership rules, etc.
Organisation’s constitution / rules / bylaws A written constitution (or equivalent document) outlining: the organisation’s objectives, membership criteria, governance and decision-making procedures, financial management, dissolution procedure, etc.
Name of the organisation Must choose a name (often with alternatives in order of preference) — name should not duplicate existing ones, and should reflect the nature or mission of the organisation.
Application / letter of intent Submit a formal letter of intent to form the society, along with required documents, to the local Civil and National Registration office (or relevant Registrar).
Supporting documentation This includes minutes of founding meeting, list of members (with IDs for citizens; residency/work permit or passport copies if non-citizens involved), and the draft constitution (in triplicate) among others.
Registration fee There is a fee: for associations and churches it's BWP 500; for other societies it's BWP 250.
Registered address / physical location / contact info The organisation must have a registered office/postal address where communications and notices can be sent.
✔️ Simple summary
Registration → basic activities required (not detailed scope)
Funding/sponsorship → detailed scope of work is essential
Type needed → project-based scope (clear, measurable, structured)
After registration: compliance, governance & accountability
Once the application is approved and the required documents meet legal standards, the Registrar issues a certificate of registration (or exemption) which serves as evidence of legal recognition.
Registered non-profits are expected to follow principles of good governance, transparency, accountability, and alignment with their stated objectives and mission, especially when handling funds or public benefit activities.
What you’re seeing in Botswana is part of a broader community development system where Village Development Committees (VDCs) and community trusts work together—but they are not the same thing. Let me break it down clearly.
1. What VDCs actually are (their scope)
A Village Development Committee (VDC) is a government-linked grassroots structure.
Main role:
Identify community needs
Plan village development projects
Mobilise people for development
Link the village with government & donors
Coordinate all local institutions (including trusts)
In simple terms:
VDC = planning + coordination + representation of the village
They are elected at kgotla level and act as the “development arm” of the community.
2. What community trusts are
Community trusts in Botswana are usually Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) created to manage resources and generate income for local people.
Examples:
Tourism concessions (especially in Okavango areas)
Wildlife and natural resources
Local businesses and projects
Purpose:
Create jobs
Generate income
Fund community projects (housing, education, events, etc.)
In simple terms:
Trust = business + income generation for the community
3. Why many trusts are “under” or linked to VDCs
They are not legally the same, but they are closely connected because:
a) VDC represents the community
Trusts are supposed to act on behalf of the community
The VDC ensures community interests are included
b) Coordination role
VDCs coordinate all village institutions, including trusts
So trusts often report, consult, or align with VDC plans
c) Community accountability
Government expects trusts to follow community decisions, not just board members
That’s why people say trusts are “under VDC” —
it’s more about accountability and coordination, not strict legal control.
4. What’s currently “happening” (the issues you’re noticing)
Across Botswana, there are ongoing concerns:
1. Governance problems
Conflicts within trust boards
Leadership fights affecting projects
2. Lack of accountability
Some boards act without consulting the community
Government has warned trusts to follow community decisions
3. New laws & reforms
The CBNRM (Community-Based Natural Resource Management) framework is being strengthened
Aim: ensure fair benefit sharing and transparency
4. Economic pressure
Trusts depend on tourism/hunting revenue
Policy changes (like hunting bans) affect income and jobs
If your organisation operates as an NGO/charity, and intends to solicit funds or donations, proper financial management, record-keeping, and possibly reporting are important for credibility and regulatory compliance.
What to watch out for / legal risks of operating unregistered
Organisations (including religious groups) must register before conducting business, signing contracts, or opening bank accounts. Operating while unregistered can lead to penalties.
If a society is affiliated with an organisation outside Botswana and is effectively acting as a branch — without its own compliant constitution and independent governance — registration may be refused.
Practical advice / good practice if you’re forming an NPO in Botswana
When you’re forming a non-profit in Botswana, it helps to:
Start by gathering a group of at least 20 people who are committed to the cause
Draft a clear constitution that defines objectives, membership rules, governance structure, roles, decision-making, finances, and dissolution procedures
Hold a founding meeting, record minutes, and elect officers (Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, etc.)
Choose a unique name, check with the relevant authority it’s available
Prepare all required documents and submit them to the local Civil & National Registration office — in triplicate if required
Pay the relevant registration fee depending on your organisation type
Once registered, maintain good governance, transparency, and ethical standards in all operations
programs or community activities. They are often:
Community-based groups (e.g., youth clubs, environmental clubs, health clubs)
School-based or youth groups supported by NGOs
Volunteer or member-driven groups working toward a shared goal
Affiliated to larger NGOs or councils
In Botswana, NGOs may support or coordinate these clubs as part of their outreach and programming. For example, NGOs working in youth development, environment, or health often run or partner with clubs to implement activities at grassroots level.
Botswana National Youth Council
How clubs function within NGOs
Clubs typically:
Help mobilize communities
Provide training, awareness, and education
Act as local implementation units of NGO programs
Encourage participation and membership involvement
Focus on specific themes (e.g., wildlife conservation, human rights, HIV awareness, sports, etc.)
How Non-Profits Could Engage — Concrete Ideas for Village-Level / Nationwide Reach
Here are possible ways non-profits or community groups might contribute, using NDP 12 as the broad framework:
Area / Theme Potential Non-Profit Initiative / Role
Community agriculture & food security • Support smallholder farmers — training in climate-smart agriculture, sustainable practices, irrigation, soil/conservation methods. • Facilitate cooperatives / farmer groups to pool resources, access micro-finance or collective marketing.
• Promote value-addition (e.g. processing dairy, vegetables, crafts) — helping villagers turn raw produce into marketable goods.
Advocate for inclusion of youth and women; support youth-led agribusinesses.
• Offer extension-type services, knowledge transfer, or act as liaison with governmental agricultural schemes.
Rural tourism and community-based tourism (heritage, culture, eco-tourism) • Work with rural villages to identify cultural, historical, natural assets (heritage sites, crafts, local customs, stories, traditional skills) and build community-based tourism enterprises (guesthouses, homestays, craft shops, agro-tourism).
• Provide capacity-building in hospitality, small business management, marketing (possibly digital/digital tourism platforms).
• Help ensure profits stay local — community-owned businesses rather than external investors.
• Support youth, women and marginalized groups to engage in tourism enterprises.
Skills development, entrepreneurship & SMEs in villages • Offer vocational training (digital literacy, artisanal skills, trades, crafts, small business management) tailored to community needs.
• Facilitate micro-finance or seed grants (maybe via partnerships) to help start micro-enterprises: crafts, services, agriculture, small manufacturing, digital services (if infrastructure allows).
• Provide mentorship, business development support, and link to markets (local, national, regional).
• Advocate for recognition of informal sector, inclusion, and favourable local business environment.
Decentralised service delivery and community empowerment • Create local “development committees” or community-based organisations (CBOs) to gather local needs, feed into district planning (since NDP12 emphasises bottom-up planning).
• Monitor local service delivery — water, electricity, sanitation, housing, social services — and act as watchdog or partner to local authorities for accountability. • Facilitate community engagement and participatory planning, ensuring villages have a voice in
NDP12 implementation.
Social protection, vulnerable groups, welfare, inclusion • Identify and support vulnerable community members (elderly, persons with disabilities, women, youth): e.g. assist with access to social protection, housing programmes, support services. • Provide awareness-raising, community support, social care, inclusive development programmes (health, education support, livelihoods, women’s empowerment, youth inclusion).
Sustainable environment, climate resilience, conservation + livelihoods • Introduce community-level environmental projects — sustainable land use, water management, reforestation, clean energy or renewable energy pilot projects (e.g. community solar or small-scale renewable energy, if feasible). • Combine conservation/tourism/agribusiness for sustainable livelihoods, ensuring natural resources aren’t degraded but leveraged responsibly.
Why Village-Level / Nationwide Coverage Matters — and Why NGOs Are Well Positioned
NDP 12, by design, emphasises decentralisation and inclusion — meaning small villages and remote districts should also benefit, not only urban centres.
Many of the sectors prioritised (agriculture, tourism, SMEs, social services) are locally rooted and best addressed with grassroots, community-based engagement — something NGOs / non-profits are typically more flexible to do than large-scale government projects.
Non-profits can act as bridges between government policy and community reality, helping to localise broad national goals into concrete village-level projects, ensuring “no one is left behind.”
By working across many villages, NGOs can also facilitate networks, share best practices, and help replicate successful projects — contributing to nationwide impact, not just isolated “islands.”
Challenges & What to Watch Out For (and How NGOs Can Help Mitigate)
Limited infrastructure in some villages — e.g. poor roads, limited electricity/renewable energy, lack of internet — may constrain some initiatives (like digital skills or tourism). NGOs might need to pair programs with infrastructure advocacy or small-scale infrastructure solutions (e.g. solar, off-grid, community-level internet hubs).
Access to financing and markets — small farmers or artisans may struggle to access capital or reach customers; NGOs could help by connecting to micro-finance, cooperatives, local markets, or network with buyers/businesses.
Sustainability & capacity building — projects should be community-owned, not donor-driven; NGOs need to emphasize training, empowerment, and local leadership rather than “handouts.”
Coordination with government / alignment with NDP12 implementation — NGOs must engage with local authorities, district councils, and ensure their projects complement official plans (to avoid duplication or conflict).
Concrete Example: What a Nationwide Non-Profit Programme Could Look Like
Imagine a non-profit called “Botswana Rural Futures” (just a hypothetical). It could:
1. Set up “Village Hubs” in 10–50 villages across Botswana, especially rural/remote areas.
2. At each hub, offer:
Agricultural support & training (climate-smart farming, livestock management, co-ops)
Skills & vocational training (crafts, small business skills, tourism-related skills like hospitality, guiding, crafts)
Micro-enterprise support (seed-funding, business planning, market linkages)
3. Work with youth and women specifically, to engage them in agribusiness, tourism, crafts, small enterprises.
4. Collaborate with local government/district councils (since NDP 12 encourages decentralisation) to feed local needs into district development plans.
5. Provide environmental sustainability components — e.g. water harvesting, soil conservation, possibly small-scale renewable energy, sustainable land use.
6. Track and monitor outcomes: jobs created, income raised, food security improved, enterprises started — thereby contributing to NDP 12’s goals of employment, diversification, inclusive growth.
This model could over time be scaled to many villages, creating a network of empowered communities aligned with national development objectives.
My Recommendation (If You Are Considering Starting or Joining a Non-Profit)
If you (or a group) want to launch a non-profit or community-driven initiative under the NDP 12 framework:
Focus on one or two sectors — e.g. agriculture + rural tourism, or youth entrepreneurship + skills training — to achieve manageable impact.
Engage directly with village leadership, district councils, and communities from the start, to ensure buy-in and sustainability.
Design income-generating and self-sustaining projects (not just charitable hand-outs), so that communities don’t depend forever on NGO support.
Align your project concept with NDP 12’s priorities (agriculture diversification, private-sector / citizen-led economy, inclusion, decentralisation, youth & women empowerment) — this alignment can increase your chance to attract funding or support from government, donors, or private sector.
Build in monitoring, evaluation, and learning, so you can track results, adapt, and scale what works.
𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐕𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐒𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐀
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Villages in Botswana with Registered NGO Presence
1. Villages with physical NGO offices / centres
These are the strongest confirmed cases:
Tlokweng
Hosts SOS Children’s Villages Botswana national office
Serowe
SOS Children’s Village facility present
2. Major towns functioning like “village hubs” (NGO-heavy)
(Not villages strictly, but they influence surrounding villages)
Gaborone
Hosts major NGOs like:
Botswana Council of NGOs (BOCONGO)
AFRIKTA
Mebala Youth Studios
Wikipedia
Maun
Base for:
Ngamiland Council of NGOs (NCONGO)
Idealist
Francistown
SOS Children’s Village presence
3. Villages with documented NGO projects / outreach
These have confirmed NGO activity (even if not headquarters):
Mochudi
Ramotswa
Kanye
Mahalapye
Letlhakeng
Mosu
Tshimoyapula
These villages appear in NGO fieldwork, development studies, and outreach programs.
4. Special case (NGO intervention areas)
Robelela
NGO (Tebelopele) implemented HIV/AIDS intervention project
5. Villages with little or no NGO presence
Some documented as underserved:
Marapong
Semitwe
Shorojina
Mapatse
Moslipe
Mosli
Moatlakgang
Reports indicate no known NGO support in these areas
Village Support Botswana
Key Insight (Very Important)
NGOs in Botswana are:
Registered nationally
Clustered in cities
Deployed across villages via projects
So instead of “villages with NGOs,” the reality is:
“NGOs with coverage areas that include villages.”
Clean Summary
Villages with strong confirmed NGO presence:
Tlokweng
Serowe
Villages with NGO activity:
Mochudi
Ramotswa
Kanye
Mahalapye
Letlhakeng
Mosu
Tshimoyapula
Robelela
Villages with little/no NGO presence (reported):
Marapong
Semitwe
Shorojina
Mapatse
Moslipe
Mosli
Moatlakgang
BOTSWANA: NGO COVERAGE MAP (MOST COMPLETE PRACTICAL LIST)
1. SOUTH-EAST DISTRICT (highest NGO concentration)
Core NGO hub:
Gaborone
Hosts major coordinating bodies like Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (national NGO coordinator)
Also home to NGOs like Mebala Youth Studios
Villages with NGO activity:
Tlokweng
SOS Children’s Villages national office
Ramotswa
Mochudi
Insight: This district has the highest NGO density, with projects extending into nearby villages.
2. CENTRAL DISTRICT (large population + development focus)
Key towns:
Serowe
SOS Children’s Village facility
Francistown
Major NGO operational center
Villages with NGO programs:
Mahalapye
Palapye
Bobonong
Robelela
HIV/AIDS intervention by NGO Tebelopele
Wikipedia
Insight: NGOs here focus heavily on:
HIV/AIDS programs
youth development
rural livelihoods
3. NORTH-WEST DISTRICT (NGO coordination region)
NGO hub:
Maun
Base of Ngamiland Council of Non-Governmental Organizations
Idealist
Villages with NGO outreach:
Shorobe
Gumare
Etsha
Focus areas:
conservation
community-based natural resource management
poverty reduction
4. KGATLENG DISTRICT
Villages:
Mochudi
Artesia
NGO focus:
youth empowerment
gender programs
5. KWENENG DISTRICT
Villages:
Molepolole
Letlhakeng
Youth NGOs operate here via Botswana National Youth Council affiliates
Botswana National Youth Council
6. SOUTHERN DISTRICT
Villages:
Kanye
Moshupa
NGO focus:
community development
social welfare
7. NGWAKETSE / LOBATSE AREA
Lobatse
Hosts youth NGOs and development programs
Botswana National Youth Council
8. GHANZI DISTRICT
Key location:
Dukwi refugee camp
NGOs like Skillshare International Botswana operate here
Focus:
refugee support
humanitarian aid
CONSOLIDATED LIST (VILLAGES WITH NGO PRESENCE)
Strong NGO presence (offices / facilities)
Tlokweng
Serowe
Moderate presence (programs / outreach)
Ramotswa
Mochudi
Mahalapye
Palapye
Molepolole
Letlhakeng
Kanye
Moshupa
Bobonong
Robelela
Shorobe
Gumare
Etsha
Special-purpose NGO zones
Dukwi (refugee operations)
FINAL INSIGHT (VERY IMPORTANT)
Botswana’s NGO system works like this:
NGOs are registered centrally (not by village)
Coordinated by bodies like Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations
Then deployed across districts and villages via projects
Registered NGOs in Botswana with Village / Rural Links
1. SOS Children’s Villages Botswana
Villages / Locations:
Tlokweng (near Gaborone)
Francistown
Serowe
What they do:
SOS Children’s Villages Botswana provides family‑style care, education support (school materials), and community development activities for children who are orphaned, abandoned or at risk. They’re focused on strengthening families and helping children thrive.
Distribution aspect: Their income comes mainly from donations and sponsorship; those funds are distributed into child support, schooling essentials, and community programs rather than “sales distribution” of products.
2. Matshwane
Village: Medie (Kweneng District)
What they do:
Matshwane runs a permaculture farm aimed at empowering the Medie village community through sustainable agriculture training and land regeneration. They teach villagers permaculture techniques to improve food production and community resilience.
Distribution aspect: Instead of selling products commercially, they focus on skills’ transfer and food security — enabling community members to manage land better and share outputs locally.
3. Ngamiland Council of Non Governmental Organizations (NCONGO)
Location hub: Maun (North‑West District)
What they do:
NCONGO coordinates local NGOs in the Ngamiland area — many of which are grassroots or village‑linked organizations working on health, children’s welfare, youth programs, conservation, HIV/AIDS support and poverty alleviation.
Distribution aspect: NCONGO itself is an umbrella body. Member NGOs may distribute goods or services (health outreach, education materials, food & hygiene support) — but those activities are carried out by the member groups, not by NCONGO directly.
4. Village Support Botswana (Volunteer‑led project)
Approx. operating area: Northern villages around Francistown (Marapong, Semitwe, Shorojina, Mapatse, Moslipe, Mosli, Moatlakgang)
What they do:
This grassroots project distributes items like wheelchairs and direct support to poverty‑stricken individuals and vulnerable people in remote villages.
Distribution aspect: Contributions and donations are distributed directly to people in these villages (e.g., mobility aids) without administrative costs — a direct “distribution” model, though informal and volunteer‑led rather than part of large commercial sales activity.
NGOs With Potential Village Outreach (but not tied publicly to specific villages)
These organisations operate nationally and often support rural or village‑based programs, even if their primary address isn’t in a village:
Botswana Red Cross Society – humanitarian aid, disaster response, first aid training.
Various community‑level NGOs listed in government / NGO directories (e.g., youth and health organisations) though their village bases and sales/distribution operations aren’t clearly documented online
Based on community economic facilitation reports (like the SPEDU Annual Report), Manaledi Development Trust is one of several village development trusts in Botswana that are encouraged to harness local resources and skills for economic activities. Specifically:
Trust Focus
Primary project listed: Pottery and ceramics — this suggests the Trust is (or has been) organizing local artisans to make pottery products, which can be sold or marketed as cultural and income‑generating goods.
Funding & Facilitation Status
The Manaledi Development Trust entry in SPEDU documentation shows:
The trust has had facilitation support for:
Regularisation of the trust (formal registration/legal status)
Development of a business proposal and implementation plan
Sourcing of funding
A funding reference of ~BWP 100,000 (about ~USD 7,500–8,000 depending on exchange rates) was noted, likely for initial capacity building, planning, or project start‑up.
This suggests the Trust has progressed beyond just community meetings into formal planning and early operational support, but it’s not yet widely reported on in national media — which is common for small rural community projects.
How Such Trusts Typically Fund Projects
For community development trusts in Botswana, funding usually comes from a mix of sources depending on the project’s nature:
1. Government & Public Development Facilitation
Bodies like SPEDU (Strategic Public/Private Economic Development Unit), the Ministry of Local Government & Rural Development, and Constituency Community Project (CCP) funds regularly support local trusts with:
business plan development,
constitutional support,
seed funding,
training, and
market access initiatives.
2. Grant or Donor Funding
Community trusts can apply for grants from:
international agencies (UNDP, EU cultural funds, etc.),
cultural heritage grants (like those UNESCO provides for pottery or cultural projects elsewhere in Botswana), and
community economic development programmes.
3. Local Private Sector or Investors
In many trust projects, once business plans are developed, the project can attract:
private investors, or
microfinance/corporate social investment (CSI) support from companies operating nearby.
4. Community Income Generation
In successful cases, trusts generate their own revenue through:
sales of products (e.g., pottery),
tourism tie‑ins (cultural tourism, craft markets), or
cooperative member contributions — though Manaledi Trust is still early in this stage.
About the “Letsopa” Project
There is no clear, widely documented link between a Manaledi Development Trust and a “Letsopa project” in publicly available national sources.
If you mean a “Letsopa project” in the context of community development, it’s possible:
the funding cycle or name may be internal only (e.g., what the trust calls its pottery promotion initiative),
it may refer to external facilitation support or a workshop/scheme, or
it could be a project under another trust or NGO that received support for villagers in Manaledi (but not yet documented nationally).
Community Trusts & Their Village Locations (Botswana)
1. Khwai Development Trust
Type: Community trust under CBNRM.
Village/Location: Khwai Village, North-West District, near the Moremi Game Reserve (Okavango Delta region).
2. Okavango Community Trust
Type: Community trust managing community concessions.
Main Villages: Seronga, Gunitsoga, Eretsha, Beetsha, Gudigwa in the Okavango Delta area of North-West District.
3. Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust (OKMCT)
Type: CBNRM trust.
Villages: Represents at least six villages in the Okavango Delta including Boro, Daunara, Xharaxao, Xuoxao, Xaxaba and Ditshiping.
4. Mababe Zokotsama Community Development Trust (MZCDT)
Type: Community development / CBNRM trust.
Village/Area: In the Mababe and surrounding villages area in North-West District (part of Ngamiland East).
5. Sankuyo Tshwaragano Management Trust (STMT)
Type: CBNRM trust.
Village: Based in Sankuyo Village, North-West District near Chobe/Okavango interfaces.
6. Xhauxhwatubi Development Trust
Type: CBNRM trust.
Village: Phuduhudu Village (North-West District); reported for sound governance.
7. TSM Management Trust
Type: Community trust (often cited in CBNRM revenue reports).
Village/Area: North-West District (associated with Tsau Semboyo Makakung area).
8. Shorobe Community Trust
Type: Community-based trust.
Village: Shorobe Village, North-West District.
9. Matlapana Community Trust
Type: CBNRM trust.
Village: Matlapana Village, North-West District.
10. Qangwa Community Trust
Type: Registered community trust for environmental management.
Village: Qangwa Village and associated local communities of Qangwa, Qooshe, Magopa and Dobe.
11. Botho Corps Trust
Type: Community charity/trust focusing on community development.
Village: Boro Village, near Maun.
Botho Corps Trust
12. Cynthia’s Child Care Trust
Type: Community registered trust.
Primary Village: Malokaganyane Village (Good Hope Sub-District) with activities in ~8 surrounding villages in the Barolong area.
13. Camphill Community Trust
Type: Community development and education trust.
Village: Otse Village, south-eastern Botswana (Ramotswa District).
Community-Registered NGOs & Community Organisations
(These are known to be registered or commonly recognised as local NGOs/CBOs in Botswana — many work directly with communities.)
Health & Community Support
Botswana Organisation for Rare Diseases (BORDIS) — patient advocacy and support for families affected by rare conditions; registered NGO supporting community health needs.
Rights, Social Justice & Inclusion
Le****ns, G**s & Bisexuals of Botswana (LEGABIBO) — LGBT rights advocacy organisation registered in Botswana.
Ditshwanelo (Botswana Centre for Human Rights) — human rights organisation active across communities.
Community Development & Environmental
Matshwane Permaculture & Community Development — non-profit organisation working with local rural communities on permaculture and sustainable agriculture; registered as a non-profit in Botswana.
Matshwane
Bokanamo Conservation Trust — community conservation trust (participated in national civil society consultations)
Environmental Conservation Trust — environment focused NGO involved in community conservation (listed in UPR consult list).
Green Fingers Association — community/environmental group working locally.
Community Welfare & Vulnerable Groups
Botswana Federation of the Disabled (BOFOD) — advocacy & support for people with disabilities.
Kagisano Women’s Shelter — community support for survivors of gender-based violence.
Mazibakufa Orphans and Vulnerable Children — community group supporting vulnerable children.
Men and Boys for Gender Justice — community-level gender equality work.
UPR info
Rainbow Identity Association — community organisation working on inclusion and identity issues.
Networks & Umbrellas (Coordination Hubs)
These aren’t individual CBOs but are registered organisations that coordinate many community groups at local/regional level:
Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (BOCONGO) — national umbrella body linking 80+ community NGOs across sectors.
Ngamiland Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (NCONGO) — regional network for NGOs/CBOs in Ngamiland (Maun region).
ncongo.org
BOCOBONET (Botswana Community Based Organisation Network) — network of community-based organisations (listed as consulted group).
Notes on Community Registration in Botswana
In Botswana, “NGOs” and community organisations are formally registered as societies under the Societies Act. Registration covers nonprofit community groups, clubs, faith-based and charitable organisations.
Government of Botswana
There are thousands of registered societies (including hobby clubs, religious bodies, and NGOs).
For an official, complete and up-to-date list of all registered community NGOs, you would need to contact the Department of Civil & National Registration or access their official registry records.
Participatory Mapping Using Local Knowledge
Concept: Engage community members to map resources, hazards, or service gaps in their villages using simple tools (chalk, sticks, sand, or GPS apps if available).
Why it works: Local people know the land, seasonal water sources, grazing areas, etc., better than outsiders.
Innovative twist: Combine with drone photography or smartphone images to create a visual “before and after” of interventions.
2. Livelihoods and Resource Flow Diaries
Concept: Families or individuals keep a simple diary of daily activities related to farming, livestock, water collection, or income generation.
Why it works: Reveals hidden patterns, informal economies, and bottlenecks that surveys often miss.
Practical tip: Use pictograms for semi-literate participants.
3. Seasonal Calendars with Community Layers
Concept: Document seasonal events—rainfall, crop planting/harvesting, livestock movements, migration, disease outbreaks.
Why it works: Highlights critical periods of vulnerability for planning interventions.
Variation: Layer different households’ calendars to spot inequalities in resource access.
4. Community-Based Vulnerability Index
Concept: Communities define their own indicators of vulnerability (water access, education, income, wildlife conflict). Then rank households or zones.
Why it works: Ownership encourages participation and actionable data.
Innovation: Use gamification—like colored tokens or badges—to make ranking engaging.
5. Social Network and Knowledge Mapping
Concept: Identify who influences or supports whom in the community (e.g., in livestock sharing, advice, or savings groups).
Why it works: NGOs can target influential people for behavior change or resource distribution.
Unique angle: Map informal gender networks to see how women access resources differently than men.
6. Participatory Video/Photo Journaling
Concept: Give community members cameras or phones to record issues they see in daily life—water, roads, education, wildlife conflicts.
Why it works: Brings voices directly from the community to NGOs, policymakers, or donors.
Botswana-specific twist: Capture seasonal events like Okavango flood cycles or cattle movements.
7. “Problem Tree” and Solution Hackathons
Concept: Communities draw a “problem tree” (roots = causes, trunk = problem, branches = effects) and brainstorm innovative solutions.
Why it works: Encourages systemic thinking and community-led solution generation.
Optional tech boost: Convert ideas into low-cost prototypes (e.g., water catchment systems, solar dryers).
8. Mobile SMS/Voice Surveys
Concept: For communities with mobile coverage, run small surveys or polls via SMS or voice.
Why it works: Faster and less intrusive than in-person surveys.
Innovation: Track trends over seasons to anticipate food or water shortages.
9. Participatory Risk Mapping for Climate & Wildlife
Concept: Identify high-risk areas for drought, floods, fires, or human-wildlife conflict (e.g., elephants near crops).
Why it works: Helps NGOs prioritize interventions.
Botswana twist: Map conflict zones near conservation areas like Chobe or Okavango.
10. Storytelling & Oral Histories
Concept: Collect narratives on past disasters, migrations, farming practices, or conservation.
Why it works: Reveals traditional knowledge and coping strategies.
Innovation: Digitize stories for training, advocacy, or tourism-based income generation.
NGOs in Botswana often engage in rural development, community projects, and social services.
Rural appraisal refers to methods used to assess community needs, resources, and development potential in rural areas.
Constitutional review is about the legality of government action or policies under the Botswana Constitution, especially regarding rights, duties, and governance.
Now, NGOs are non-state actors, so they are generally not directly subject to constitutional review in the same way that government institutions are. Constitutional review typically applies to laws, policies, and actions of the government to ensure they comply with the Constitution (e.g., rights to property, participation, equality, freedom of association).
However, for NGOs conducting rural appraisals, there are a few relevant points:
1. Judicial Review / Public Law Oversight
If an NGO works in partnership with the government, especially in projects funded or regulated by the state, the NGO’s activities could be indirectly affected by constitutional principles. For example:
If a government policy restricts NGO activities in rural areas, NGOs could seek judicial review to challenge the legality of that policy under the Constitution.
Example: Restrictions on community participation or access to land could be challenged under rights to freedom of association, participation in development, or property rights.
2. Human Rights Impact Assessment
Even if not formally a “constitutional review,” NGOs often conduct assessments to ensure their programs:
Respect constitutional rights of rural communities (e.g., equality, non-discrimination, land rights).
Avoid infringing on local governance or customary law protections.
This is a practical review aligned with constitutional principles rather than a court-based review.
3. Administrative or Policy Review
NGOs may review government policies or local council regulations in rural areas to ensure compliance with the Constitution before implementing their programs. This is especially relevant for:
Land allocation
Resource use
Community participation
How Botswana’s Craft Sector Benefits from NGOs
1. Market Access & Sales Opportunities
NGOs help craft cooperatives and artisan groups get access to broader markets, including participation in craft fairs, exhibitions, and online platforms that attract tourists and international buyers.
Training programmes often include guidance on quality improvement and product development, helping crafts become export‑ready.
2. Skills & Business Development
Many NGOs (often in partnership with programmes like Impact Fund through Crafted Botswana) offer training in design, quality control, marketing, financial literacy and business management — equipping artisans with the skills to compete in local and global markets. .
Crafted Botswana
Certification efforts, supported by some NGOs and community organisations, enhance product credibility and market value.
3. Capacity Building & Cooperatives
NGOs support the formation of craft cooperatives, which help individual artisans combine resources, improve bargaining power, and reduce costs.
Partnerships with NGOs often include mentorship and technical expertise that strengthen governance and operational capabilities.
Crafted Botswana
4. Cultural Preservation & Community Development
Beyond economics, NGOs emphasize cultural heritage preservation, ensuring traditional skills are maintained and culturally relevant stories help position crafts in niche international markets focused on ethical and cultural authenticity.
Key Organizations / Trusts Supporting Botswana Craft (Local & International Selling)
Here are notable trusts, cooperatives, and initiatives that boost Botswana crafts locally and internationally. Note: not all are exclusively craft‑focused, but all contribute to craft development and livelihoods:
Established Craft and Craft‑Linked Trusts
Botswanacraft Marketing (Gaborone) – One of Botswana’s oldest and largest craft marketing organisations; started in 1970 to support rural hand‑made crafts and exports internationally.
Botswanacraft Marketing
Gantsi Craft Trust – A producer‑owned trust empowering San communities through craft production and sales, preserving cultural heritage and generating income for remote artisans.
Kuru Development Trust / Kuru Family of Organizations – Includes craft‑related projects such as Kalahari Craft and D’Kar Kuru Trust, which market San community products and support artisan communities.
Ngwao Boswa Women’s Co‑operative – A basket weavers’ cooperative linked with craft production and sales; often connected to export efforts via entities like Botswanacraft.
Other Community Trusts & Groups Involved in Craft Ecosystems
While not all of these are dedicated solely to craft, many support community economic development that includes craft production or related cultural enterprises (from the wider community trust listings):
Katchempanti Basket Weaver Co‑operative
Bokamoso Women’s Co‑operative
Maiteko Di Tsa Tlholego
Mowana Trust
Serowe Woodcarvers
Manyana Community Trust
These community trusts help create enabling environments where craft production, cultural preservation, natural resource management, eco‑tourism and income‑generating activities intersect.
International Exposure & Export Channels
Botswana’s crafts reach international markets through a combination of NGO‑assisted export initiatives and partnerships:
Botswanacraft Marketing exports baskets and other handmade crafts to North America, Europe, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Artisan groups supported by NGOs may also sell through online marketplaces and global trade missions, often with NGO or government facilitation to meet international payment and quality standards.
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
NGOs may help groups participate in international trade fairs and exhibitions, creating direct buyer exposure.
Summary of Benefits from NGOs for Botswana Craft
NGO Support Area
Benefit for Craft Sector
Market access & sales platforms
More buyers locally and abroad
Skills & business training
Higher quality and competitive pricing
Cooperatives & organizational support
Collective strength and stability
Export guidance & trade show support
International sales growth
Cultural storytelling & branding
Enhanced product appeal seeking authentic design
in Botswana there are government tenders for supplying clothing (uniforms, protective clothing, workwear, etc.), and sometimes NGOs or community groups can participate or benefit, especially when projects involve community development, training, or local manufacturing.
1. Government tenders for clothing in Botswana
Many government departments regularly issue tenders for clothing such as:
Staff uniforms
Protective clothing (overalls, boots, safety gear)
School uniforms for programs
Security uniforms
Health-worker clothing
Example:
A tender was issued for supply and delivery of uniform and protective clothing and footwear by Palapye District Council for government workers.
Another tender from the Bank of Botswana invited companies to produce and supply staff uniforms, and required bidders to be registered under the clothing and fabrics manufacturing category.
Most of these tenders are awarded to local companies registered in Botswana, especially those meeting procurement rules.
2. Where NGOs or community groups come in
NGOs usually do community engagement or social programs, not directly government procurement. But they can participate in several ways:
A. Community sewing projects
NGOs train community members (youth, women groups) to:
Sew school uniforms
Produce work uniforms
Produce reusable garments (aprons, protective clothing)
Then a registered company bids for the tender and subcontracts the community group.
B. Social enterprise model
An NGO may create a social enterprise or cooperative where:
Women groups sew uniforms
Youth are trained in tailoring
The enterprise supplies uniforms to schools or government.
C. Development programs
Some NGOs work with:
Donors
District councils
Ministries
to supply school uniforms for vulnerable children or clothing for community programs.
3. Requirements to supply clothing to government
To participate directly in a Botswana government clothing tender you normally need:
Company registration (C**A)
PPRA registration under clothing/fabric manufacturing codes
Tax clearance certificate
Experience or capacity to produce or supply uniforms
Ability to deliver large quantities.
For example, tenders often require suppliers to be registered under clothing and fabrics manufacturing categories with the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA).
4. Where to find clothing tenders
You can check these platforms:
Botswana government procurement portals
Public Procurement Regulatory Authority
Bank of Botswana tender notices
Tender listing sites like Botswana e-Tender portals that publish opportunities across sectors
1. Start with Regulatory Alignment
Before anything else, ensure your proposed NGO:
Fits within the scope of the Non-Governmental Organisations Act
Is not duplicating restricted or purely commercial activities
Has a clear public benefit mandate (charitable, developmental, or social impact)
Regulatory compliance is the foundation—applications that lack this alignment are often delayed or rejected.
2. Conduct a Pre-Registration Assessment
Professionally, you should validate:
Name availability (avoid conflict or similarity with existing entities)
Purpose clarity (must be specific, measurable, and legally acceptable)
Operational feasibility (resources, staffing, governance capacity)
If operating in areas such as Gaborone, ensure your activities align with local administrative expectations and community needs.
3. Establish Strong Governance Structure
Regulators expect a credible governance framework:
Minimum of 3–5 board members/trustees
Clearly defined roles:
Chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
Demonstrated independence and accountability of leadership
Best practice:
Avoid appointing individuals with conflicts of interest
Ensure diversity of expertise (legal, financial, technical)
4. Draft a Legally Compliant Constitution
Your constitution should be professionally written and include:
Objectives aligned with public benefit
Membership rules and eligibility
Governance and voting procedures
Financial management and audit provisions
Conflict of interest policy
Dissolution clause (asset distribution upon closure)
Tip: Ambiguity in the constitution is a common cause of delays.
5. Prepare Complete Registration Documentation
A strong application typically includes:
Certified IDs of board members
Minutes of the founding meeting
Signed constitution
Name reservation approval
Physical and operational address
List of office bearers and roles
Ensure consistency across all documents (names, roles, signatures).
6. Submit to the Regulatory Authority (NGORA)
Applications are reviewed for compliance, clarity, and public interest alignment
Authorities may request clarifications or revisions
Processing time varies depending on completeness and workload
Transitioning advice: Submit a well-organized application package .
