- The government of Tanzania launches Fonds for NGOs.
- Tanzania Ngos insisted on the dependence on donor.
- NGOs encouraged to find alternative fundraising solutions.
Players in the NGOS segment of Tanzania can breathe a sigh of exemption after the government’s decision to set up a fund to support non-state actors in the country at a time when organizations are struggling with thinning donor support.
Last week the government of Tanzania launched a National Committee that is responsible for coordinating the establishment of the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) Basket Fund (NBF), an initiative that is affiliated to support entities in the segment during the current period of reduced donor finance.
The announcement was made at the annual NGOS forum in the capital Dodoma of the country. With the reading of the Vice President’s speech during the ceremony, Minister of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Dr. Dorothy Gwajima the committee to perform its duties with the greatest dedication.
“We expect the committee to act with the highest level of professionalism,” he said.
Vice president Dr. Philip Mpango also called on the committee to perform its duties as patriots and prioritize inclusiveness. “You must ensure that all required processes are completed on time fashion and strictly for the intended goal.”
Dr. Mpango added: “The ministry that is responsible for NGOs must work closely with stakeholders in implementing and assessing the national sustainability strategy for NGOs when needed.”
The Vice President noted that the formation of the fund is a strategy that serves as a national guide to help strengthen the resilience by the 2026/27 financial year.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice President, Dr. Gwajima on the ministry and stakeholders to look for alternative sources of financing that will enable small organizations to grow and thrive. “One of the most important aspects of this strategy is the creation of a joint basket fund for NGOs, with which they have access to financing without strict donor conditions,” he insisted.
Dr. Mpango emphasized that while the country works to improve the operational environment for organizations and want to improve their contribution for the next five years.
“The government is actively investigating new opportunities, including the establishment of a joint subsidy fund,” he said.
To this end, he explained that the initiative is in accordance with the 4RS philosophy of President Samia Suluhu Hassan: reconciliation, resilience, reforms and reconstruction.
VICE president insisted on the NGOs to work with transparency and accountability. “This is the only way you will promote good governance and increase the recognition of your role in national development,” he underlined.
“While we implement the necessary reforms, we must remain resilient in our efforts to achieve collective reconciliation, which is an essential step to rebuild our future and that of the coming generations,” said the vice president.
The vice-president also called on leaders, members and employees to perform their responsibilities professionally, with integrity and with patriotism in mind. “These must be your core mandates while protecting the wider interests of the NGO sector and the nation as a whole,” he insisted.
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NGOs urged alternative financing options
The vice-president, chairman of the National Council of NGOs (Nacongo), Mr Jasper Makala, said that the launch of the manual for financial compliance and engagement for non-state actors will serve to increase the visibility of the sector and to improve the recognition of the contribution to the national budget.
He seized the opportunity to confirm the dedication of the Council to continuous cooperation with the ministry responsible for NGOs through the office of the registrar of NGOs and other government institutions, in accordance with existing laws, regulations and coordination framework.
He pointed out that the Tanzanian government has instructed non-governmental organizations to increase and improve the options for self-reliance and to weaten donor dependence, especially because donors’ policy has changed worldwide.
The chairman said that organizations are needed to develop alternative sources of income and to come up with services and projects that use resources that are available in their areas that will in turn help them to collect their own money.
For his part, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Dr. John Jingu, the government for the initiative.
Speak on the sidelines of another meeting, Dr. Jingu Said that NGOs and other non -governmental organizations are responsible to ensure that economic, intellectual and developmental changes take place in the societies in which they work.
“Non-governmental organizations are legally registered to offer services and education in various areas to the community, so you must realize that the agenda for sustainable development in the nation includes agents of positive change in your societies,” Dr. Jungu.
He detached the vice president and said that NGOs should implement sustainable production projects and wean the dependence on donors.
“Be agents of positive change in your society and therefore do not wait for donor financing but develop your own fundraising options,” he emphasized.
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