01/03/2025
WORLD NGO DAY CELEBRATION – THE FUTURE OF NGOs TANZANIA AND ZANZIBAR* .
In commemoration of the World NGOs Day that takes place every February 27, 28 February THRDC organized a strategic session to discuss the challenges of NGOs and the implementation of OECD-DAC recommendations in Tanzania.
The strategic meeting has made it clear that CSOs are facing big challenges, and an example of those challenges is as follows.
More than 90% of member NGOs (THRDC) do not have sustainable funding, while 70% serve in rural areas without direct aid/funding.
There are still oppressive laws that continue to prevent the participation of CSOs in development through strict conditions of permits, such as restrictions on providing voter education, and election management.
Before the suspension of American aid, 75% of funding was directed to international institutions and 25% to local institutions, including USAID institutions registered in Tanzania.
USAID provided 500 million dollars in 2024, but most of the money went to international organizations instead of organizations representing the Tanzanian community.
OECD-DAC statistics show that only 7% of funding is directed directly to local NGOs, 93% is directed to INGOs and donor country institutions, a situation that leads to a high dependence on local organizations.
Despite the OECD-DAC's 2021 recommendations to encourage direct financing and development cooperation, their implementation has been difficult.
Local organizations still receive little support, are legally restricted, and lack direct involvement in donor decisions.
The session has recommended the creation of a national committee of CSOs that will ensure these challenges are discussed and given solutions in national and international forums with the aim of encouraging the implementation of OECD-DAC recommendations in Tanzania and increasing cooperation between the private sector, Donors, NGOs and the Government to promote the position and resilience of NGOs in Tanzania for sustainable development.
