SADC Resource Mobilisation Strategy 6 PILLAR 3: BROADENING THE RESOURCE CHANNELS The SADC Region should intensify it resource mobilisation efforts particularly with a view to diversify sources of funding for regional integration. Various mutually non-exclusive solutions can be identified, including the utilisation of the domestic resources from savings, public revenues and other internally generated funds. In view of the historical development of the Region, SADC needs a more selective and alternative approach to resource mobilisation and sustainable innovative resources and/or mechanisms which ensure consistency with its own development agenda. In this context, SADC shall broaden the resource channels and explore sustainable alternative ways of mobilising resources for the implementation of RISDP and SIPO. Some proposals for consideration on broadening the resource channels are recommended below. 1.1 SADC Development Fund The SADC Treaty in Article 26A provides for the establishment of a Regional Development Fund that would receive funding from Member States contributions and other stakeholders including the international community and the private sector. The SADC Summit has mandated the SADC Ministers responsible for Finance and Investment to work towards the establishment of the Regional Development Fund. Preliminary studies on the feasibility of a Regional Development Fund have been undertaken in the past. The Region is currently working on the operationalisation of the SADC Development Fund. The SADC Region has established a Project Preparatory Development Facility (PPDF) as a first window of a SADC Development Fund, and in line with the Protocol on Finance and Investment. To operationalise the PPDF, a Memorandum of Understanding for its creation was concluded in August 2008 between the SADC Secretariat and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) for the management and provision of corporate services for the establishment of the Facility. 17