VSO Tanzania

24/06/2026

VSO Tanzania and SIDO Launch Blue Economy Leadership Course for Coastal Youth and Women

More than 500 young people and women have enrolled in the newly launched Blue Economy Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Empowerment (BELEE) short course, an initiative by VSO Tanzania in partnership with SIDO aimed at strengthening leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation, and advocacy within Tanzania’s growing blue economy sector.

The course equips participants with practical knowledge, entrepreneurial skills, and access to opportunities that can help them create sustainable livelihoods while contributing to the responsible use of marine and coastal resources.

Training is currently being delivered through three learning centres:
📍 SIDO Dar es Salaam Regional Office – serving Temeke, Ilala, and Kinondoni municipalities.
📍 Kigamboni District Commissioner’s Conference Hall – serving Kigamboni Municipal Council.
📍 Bagamoyo Training Centre – serving Bagamoyo Town Council.

The first cohort attracted 152 participants, while total enrolment has already surpassed 500 learners across the three centres.

The BELEE course is being implemented under the Randstad-funded Boosting the Blue Economy (BBE) Project, which has entered a three-year extension phase following the successful completion of its initial two-year implementation period. The project continues to be delivered through a strong partnership involving VSO Tanzania, SIDO, VETA, Don Bosco VTC, and the Fisheries Departments of Dar es Salaam and Bagamoyo.

We're confident, by investing in youth and women, the programme seeks to unlock the potential of Tanzania’s blue economy and create a new generation of leaders and entrepreneurs driving sustainable economic growth along the country's coastline.

23/06/2026

Youth Civic Engagement Bootcamp (Kambi Kazi) – Day 1 | Dodoma

On 19th June 2026, youth delegates from all District Councils of Dodoma, including Grita District Council, officially arrived in the capital to commence the Youth Civic Engagement Bootcamp aimed at strengthening leadership skills, patriotism, civic education, volunteerism, and active citizen participation.

The opening day featured a guided learning tour across key national development and governance landmarks in Dodoma. Participants visited the Ministry offices at Magufuli City (Mtumba), the University of Dodoma, the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) station, Parliament, and Nyerere Square.

The tour provided firsthand exposure to how patriotic leadership, strong institutions, and strategic infrastructure investments contribute to accelerating sustainable national development.

The bootcamp continues with intensive sessions designed to empower young people to become active, responsible, and solution-oriented citizens.

13/06/2026

13/06/2026

Through initiatives such as today's cleanup campaign, VSO Tanzania continues to work with local partners and communities to promote sustainable management of marine resources and strengthen the blue economy. Our programmes support coastal youth and women to access skills, employment, entrepreneurship opportunities, and sustainable livelihoods through sectors such as fisheries, seaweed value chains, marine conservation, waste management, and climate-resilient enterprises.

Every piece of waste removed from our beaches is a step towards:
Healthier oceans
Stronger coastal livelihoods
Sustainable blue economy growth
Climate resilience
A cleaner future for generations to come

As we clean our shores today, we are also raising awareness that protecting the ocean is everyone's responsibility.

"When we protect the ocean, we protect our food, our climate, our economy, and our future." ~P.S Nyundo

CoastalCommunities ClimateAction SustainableLivelihoods YouthForTheOcean CleanSeas ProtectOurOcean
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Ofisi ya Makamu wa Rais

13/06/2026

GLOBAL OCEAN CLEANUP DAY 2026 | BAGAMOYO, TANZANIA

"The ocean is not a resource we inherit from our ancestors; it is a treasure we borrow from future generations."

Today, the VSO Tanzania team is in Bagamoyo, joining hands with SOA Tanzania, our Civil Society Group (CSG) partner under the ACTIVE Ext. Project, to implement the Global Ocean Cleanup Campaign 2026. Together with community members, youth volunteers, and local stakeholders, we are taking action to protect our oceans, coastlines, and marine ecosystems for present and future generations.

Theme:
"Clean Oceans, Sustainable Livelihoods, Resilient Communities."

The ocean plays a critical role in supporting life and livelihoods. Globally, oceans produce more than 50% of the oxygen we breathe, regulate the climate, and provide food and income for billions of people. In Tanzania, our coastline stretches over 1,400 kilometers and supports thousands of households through fisheries, seaweed farming, tourism, marine transport, and other blue economy opportunities.

However, plastic pollution continues to threaten these vital ecosystems. Every year, millions of tonnes of plastic waste enter the world's oceans, endangering marine life, damaging coral reefs, contaminating fish stocks, and affecting the livelihoods of coastal communities that depend on healthy marine resources.

A plastic bottle discarded today can remain in the environment for hundreds of years, breaking down into microplastics that enter our food chain and threaten both human and environmental health.


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05/06/2026

VSO Tanzania was honored to participate in organized by REPOA in Zanzibar.

VSO was represented by our Country Lead, Frank Girabi, and Photunatus Nyundo, Manager of the Randstad-funded BBE Project. Their contribution highlighted the importance of integrating Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles from the perspective of financial institutions, while emphasizing the connection between sustainable livelihoods, social impact, and conservation initiatives.

The discussion underscored how inclusive investments can empower youth, women, and persons with disabilities while promoting sustainable development and environmental stewardship.

22/03/2026

This , we highlight the transformative impact of sustainable water solutions in Chihanga Ward, Dodoma. 💧

Through VSO’s intervention, access to clean and safe water is no longer a daily struggle. The installation of solar-powered water pumps at village boreholes, along with 8 water distribution points, now delivers over 80,000 litres of water daily; benefiting more than 9,000 people.

Water is now closer to households, significantly reducing the burden on women and girls. This has created time and space for women to engage in livelihood activities, while girls are able to attend school consistently and focus on their education.

Beyond meeting basic needs, this initiative has become a catalyst for economic empowerment within the community. Reliable water access has enabled the growth of irrigation farming, livestock keeping, brick production, and small businesses such as car, motorcycle, and vehicle washing services.

Clean water is not just a necessity; it is a driver of opportunity, dignity, and local economic development.

21/03/2026

Eid Mubarak to all our VSO people, partners, supportes, key stakeholders, and our beloved primary actors.

Let's continue to rebuild trust and restore fructured systems and communities.

08/03/2026

International Women’s Day 2026 |

This year’s International Women’s Day calls for accelerating progress toward gender equality and strengthening women’s leadership in shaping sustainable economies.

At VSO, we are witnessing the power of women when opportunities, skills, and collective action come together. Through our work in the blue economy in Dar es Salaam and Bagamoyo, women are not only participating — they are leading change.

✔️ Two women’s cooperatives have been formed, strengthening collective voice, bargaining power, and access to markets.
✔️ Over 100 women-led green enterprises have been established within the blue economy sector.
✔️ 43 women-led businesses have reported growth and expansion, increasing their customer base and strengthening market networks.

These achievements demonstrate that when women are supported to access skills, finance, and markets, they become powerful drivers of sustainable livelihoods and ocean-based economic opportunities.

VSO remains committed to supporting women to lead, innovate, and thrive in the blue economy, ensuring that no voice stands alone.