CSOs, NGOs challenged to cut donor dependence

Tanga-based civil society organizations (CSOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been urged to increase their efforts to reduce their reliance on foreign donors in order to avoid being forced to implement projects at the behest of donors, which may result in the infiltration of negative agendas that are contrary to national ethics and principles.

The Tanga Regional Administrative Secretary, Ms Pili Mnyema, made the plea recently in Tanga when she addressed leaders of various NGOs and CSOs at a capacity building seminar organized by the Foundation for

Civil Societies (FCS Ms Mnyema noted that many CSOs and NGOs lack their own sustainable projects to generate income in order to manage themselves without donor funding.

She stated that the government was not opposed to donor funding for CSOs and NGOs, but that they must design sustainable projects so that they can continue to serve the community after the donors leave. She emphasized the need for close of monitoring project funds and implementing projects in accordance with country standards.

“It is the government’s desire to see these organizations reduce their reliance on external donors by launching projects that will enable them to generate funds to run these organizations,” Ms Mnyema emphasized.

Participants at the workshop were informed that the government has launched a strategic plan to reduce reliance by opening up a window for funding such organizations in order to address the issue of  reliance on foreign donors. Participants were encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.

She also persuaded CSOs and NGOs to visit rural areas, which she claimed are in need of the various social services provided by these organizations and which the government may not be able to reach immediately. “If you look at these organizations, you will notice that the majority of them are urban in nature.” “Very few people are venturing into rural areas to offer their services,” she noted.

She also spoke about the lack of accountability and transparency principles in several of these organizations, claiming that they do not submit their reports to the registrar. Other issues she raised included a lack of expertise in intervention implementation, which can lead to resources piling up in one location.

Ms Mnyema instructed the organizations to carry out the projects in accordance with the guidelines for non-governmental organization coordination.

The Tanga Regional Regional Registrar for CSOs and NGOs, Glory Malero, emphasized the importance of these organizations in promoting employment and absorbing young people who have graduated from college.

She also asked the leaders of these organizations to work hard to attract more people to the sector.

Participants at the workshop expressed a desire for the government to establish a single reporting center in order to avoid a situation in which institutions and organizations must send reports to multiple locations and at various times.

They also asked TAMISEMI to increase the number of people working at respective Ministry desks dealing with issuing project permits to speed up the issuance of project permits.