Programmes Coordinating Office (PCO) was established in 1998 to coordinate the various programmes / projects for Bunda College. PCO coordinates long and other short-term to medium term projects. In 1998 Bunda College Capacity Development Programme (BCDP) with NOK 5.6 million for activities of Phase 1. In Phase 2 (2000-2004), the Norwegian Government further supported the Programme with NOK20.0 million (US$2.27 million) for 2000-2005. A further NOK20.0 million was made available for Phase III for the period of 2005-2010. At the time that the third phase of BCDP was approved, the Royal Norwegian Embassy approved NOK35.0 million for a sister programme, the Agricultural Research and Development Programme (ARDEP) whose prerequisite programme was BCDP to fund agricultural research and outreach projects in food security and natural resources management.
The Programmes Coordinating Office (PCO), then popularly known as NORAD Office, coordinated the two major college programmes. However, on the BCDP side, coordination duties were performed by the Vice Principal with the PCO assisting in financial management. RUFORUM and other short-term to medium term projects such as the ASTI systems, which were at College level, were also coordinated at PCO level. Since its establishment, PCO had been coordinating these two major Norwegian funded college and national programmes. However, BCDP coordination duties were performed by the Vice Principal with the PCO assisting in financial management, while ARDEP had national structures which governed it.
Other Programmes and Projects coordinated by PCO included : European Union (EU) / Agricultural Innovation in Dry lands Africa (AIDA) Norwegian-funded Climate Change and Livelihoods Review of Agricultural and Natural Resources Policies under Malawi Lake basin Programme Livelihoods Project Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) which includes Regional PhD programs in Aquaculture and Fisheries Science (AFS) and Agricultural and Resource Economics (ARE) Malawi Forum Chapter Bunda College / CTA Agricultural, Science, Technology and Innovation (ASTI) Systems Analysis Studies. Climate Change Adaptation for Improved Food Security and Livelihoods in Malawi (CCAFL). Effects of Increasing Food prices in Malawi.