The Challenge

Civil Society Participation in Policy Planning: Tanzania recently launched its Five Years Development Plan III (2021/22 – 2025/26), which is the main implementation vehicle for the 2030 Agenda in the country. The strategic preparation of a new long-term development strategy and the second Voluntary National Review (VNR) are also underway.

COVID-19 limits Opportunities for Participation: The pandemic is slowing down the SDG implementation and limiting participation opportunities for civil society actors. The project will leverage these developments and advocate for inclusive policies in the distribution of vaccines, especially to the most vulnerable groups.

The Objective

The project aims to advocate and coordinate effective and active participation of non-state actors in the implementation and monitoring of the 2030 Agenda under the Five-Year Development Plan III.

The Target Group

The main target group are Tanzanian civil society organisations (CSOs) that are members of the Tanzania Sustainable Development Platform. It consists of 300 CSOs ranging from grassroots to national level and representing different constituencies. Members are divided into thematic leads according to the SDGs or vulnerable groups they represent. UNA Tanzania is a co-convener of the Tanzania Sustainable Development Platform.

In addition, the Parliamentary Group for Sustainable Development is targeted in the activities. It is composed of 35 Members of Parliament of diverse interests. The group has the opportunity to influence planning and budgetary processes before they are submitted to parliament for approval.

Local government authorities (LGAs) are also targeted by the project, as they are the main implementers of both the SDGs and the Five-Year Development Plan III on the ground.

The Approach

Initiating Strategic Dialogue: multi-stakeholder dialogues with dedicated themes are held between the various stakeholders. They enable effective communication and information sharing through the Tanzania Sustainable Development Platform and within the SDGs National Coordination Framework. To facilitate advocacy for effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda and to promote inclusive policies, policy briefs are prepared and shared with relevant stakeholders.

Shadow Report: Members of the Tanzania Sustainable Development Platform prepare a shadow report that includes interventions by CSOs and other non-state actors. It highlights the challenges brought by Covid-19 and offers recommendations for inclusive implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

Strenghtening Local Governments: Local government authorities and regional administration secretariats receive training on how to develop strategic plans in line with national development plans and the 2030 Agenda.

Sharing and Learning Sessions: Information and experiences are shared with other platform partners on several regional and global platforms such as the African Regional Forum for Sustainable Development and the High-Level Political Forum.