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How citizens’ faith in the government was rebuilt through social accountability and monitoring in Tanga

Major strides are being made in Tanzania’s education sector. Following the introduction of a fee-free education policy in 2015, enrolment in primary schools increased sharply. However, there was still a notable lack of the resources and facilities needed to ensure the provision of quality education. Many local authorities therefore took the initiative to build classrooms and purchase desks, tables and other items to ensure that children received quality education.   At Mkata Village in Tanga Region in eastern Tanzania, local authorities asked residents to contribute money and resources towards the…

FCS hosts Directors from 15 countries under the Change the Game Academy initiative.

*CSO Directors changing Communities across the globe meet to strategize for greater community impact. 6 February 2023. Foundation for Civil Society (FCS) in collaboration with Change the Game Academy (CtGA) initiative under Wilde Ganzen Foundation, hosted the Directors’ Meeting- an annual or biannual meeting of CtGA National partner organizations (NPOs) representing various countries from across the globe in Zanzibar. The meeting aimed to discuss the CtGA programme initiative's progress at the global and country-level and set a roadmap for the future of the programme. Speaking during the meeting, Kees de…

Zero Tolerance for FGM| The fight for every Girls’ Rights

The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is February 6 . Commemorated globally, the day advocates for the end of female genital mutilation practices - a human rights violation. This year’s theme Partnership with men & boys to transform social and gender norms to end FGM, seeks to translate political decisions into concrete actions at the national and grassroots level to reach the goal of zero tolerance to female genital mutilation by 2030.   The day is a call to action to end FGM and to…

Life and Light: Installing electricity and decreasing mortality rates in Rukwa

It is thought that one has to be in a position of power to bring about positive change. Citizens of Mkole village in Rukwa region attest differently - after witnessing the change that midwife Esther Elidius, advocated for and effected in their community.   Esther is a member of Public Expenditure and Tracking Survey (PETS) committee who received PETS training through Life Change Rukwa Development Organization (LCRDO). LCRDO, a local development organization, was granted funds by Foundation for Civil Society (FCS) to conduct the project in 3 wards and 9…

FCS conducts cluster reflection sessions

The Foundation for Civil Society (FCS) on 18 January, 2023 met with its seven (7) cluster leaders who are implementing interventions in the FCS strategic focus areas of Youth, Gender (advocacy against gender-based violence and women's access to land ownership), and Social Accountability and Public Expenditure Tracking (SAM/PETS in water, education, agriculture, health and inclusion). The meeting held at FCS offices in Dar es Salaam aimed to review and reflect on what has been implemented so far in the focus areas and provide feedback.   The FCS Executive Director, Mr…

CSO Week Launch: CSO-private sector partnerships key to mitigating socioeconomic developmental challenges

* The multi-stakeholder event is scheduled to take place from October 24 to October 28, 2022, in Arusha Dar es Salaam, August 18, 2022. Partnerships between civil society and the private sector are key to mitigating socioeconomic developmental challenges, according to Mr Abdulmajid Nsekela, CRDB Bank Chief Executive. Speaking during the launch of CSO Week 2022, Mr Nsekela commended civil society’s efforts to boost collaboration with private sector stakeholders for the sake of people-centred development. “It is our firm belief that CSO-private sector partnerships are key to mitigating socioeconomic developmental…

CSO Week 2022 Launch: Govt applauds CSOs’ contribution to communities and the people

Dar es Salaam, August 18, 2022. The Government recognises the contribution of civil society organisations (CSOs) to people's development through district councils as stated by the people themselves during visits by government officials. Mr Linus Kahendabuza, the representative from the President's Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) – in the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) Coordination Department, made the remarks in Dar es Salaam during the launch of CSO Week 2022, which will be held in Arusha from October 24 to October 28, 2022. He said there is close collaboration…

FCS grants Tsh4 billion to CSOs to implement development projects in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar

Dodoma, August 15, 2022. The Foundation for Civil Society (FCS) has issued Tsh3,957,301,580 in grants to 89 civil society organisations (CSOs) in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. The funds are to be spent on the implementation of development projects in good governance programmes in the areas of water, education, health, agriculture, gender equality, the inclusion of persons living with disabilities, and the building of peace and social cohesion in 2022/23. Speaking in Dodoma during the Manage Your Grant Training (MYG) in Dodoma for selected and approved CSO that will receive FCS…

Dumisha Amani project updates: FCS supports peace-building approaches for communities in Micheweni District

Pemba, August 5, 2022. The Foundation for Civil Society (FCS) has supported capacity building among various stakeholders on conflict resolution and peacebuilding in Pemba. The training, which was conducted through a community dialogue session, was held in collaboration with the Zanzibar Legal Services Centre (ZLSC) as an intervention to ensure that communities are well informed and able to amicably resolve conflicts and maintain peace. The dialogue session involved religious and political leaders and community influencers from Njuhuni and Mihogoni Shehias in Micheweni District. During the session, the Project Coordinator, Ms…

Lessons: CSOs championing local giving to solve local challenges

Some of the participants from various organizations in a group photo during the philanthropic forum on catalyzing local giving at Four Points in Dar es Salaam Dar es Salaam, July 21 2022. The Foundation for Civil Society (FCS) partnered with the East Africa Philanthropy Network and the Tanzania Philanthropy Forum (TPO) to convene a meeting of philanthropic actors (“givers”) in Tanzania to share lessons on harness the power of communities in local resource mobilization and utilization for the growth of the giving movement in country. In her opening remarks, the…