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with the Technical Advisory Committee of Experts.
In an interview, Culture Fund programmes officer Chipo Muvezwa said the decision was reached following the strategic review of the whole project since 2007 and the appointment of a new board early this year.
The Swedish International Development Agency-funded project went through an evaluation at the beginning of the year resulting in some changes being made.
Muvezwa said the new board led by George Mutendadzamera felt that they had come up with a more effective way of assessing proposals. “I think the new board that we have is more business-minded and felt that they needed to bring in experts when making recommendations on the applications that would have been made. SSC’s were composed of members that were elected by their peers and had no qualifications with respect to the appraisal process although training was availed to them after selection.
“The strategic review process exercise exposed that the SSCs had varying levels of knowledge and expertise and the board resolved to appoint the TACE,” she said.
Muvezwa said the TACE would comprise 10 professional experts selected through a Call for Technical Advisory Committee of Experts in the Press to undertake initial appraising with the board making final decisions.
She added that the board had assumed the role of appraising applications that would have been submitted and will in effect be announcing the successful applicants before the end of this week.
“As the TACE is not in place yet, the board resolved to go ahead and appraise grant applications that have been received so far in the interest of ensuring that the awarding process is not further delayed.
“The TACE should be in place in time for the next grant appraisal cycle,” Muvezwa said.
She added that the initial short listing of Technical Advisory Committee of Experts basing on qualifications and credentials is to be done by the secretariat and final selection will be done by the board, she said.
The TACE will undertake initial appraising with the board making final decisions.
Other members of the new board include Maitirwa Monica Mukonoweshuro (deputy board chairperson), Callisto Jokonya, Sarah Ndhlovu, Elvas Mari, Sithokozile Ndlovu, Serman Chavula (external board member from Malawi) and Farai Mpfunya (executive director).