NGO leaders happy with govt’s five-year sustainability plan

They argue that the recently introduced document is likely to help NGOs in the country to find different ways of funding and not just rely on a single source: donors.

The NSNS 2022/2023 - 2026/2027 seeks to put in place an enabling environment for NGOs to attain improved institutional capacity for their effective operations and strong and diversified financial base for lasting impact.

Speaking during a capacity building training organized by the Non -Governmental Organization Network in Dodoma (NGONEDO) in collaboration with the Foundation for Civil Society Organizations (FCS), leaders of the organizations said it is important to understand the government’s guidelines.

Edward Mbogo, NGONEDO Coordinator, urged fellow leaders to try and go through the document and understand the government’s good intention to empower NGOs in the country.

He said some leaders of NGOs do not understand the requirements and compliance on different issues such as taxes.

Speaking about the meeting, Mbogo said representatives from over 50 NGOs attended the capacity building meeting for empowerment on various issues.

“This is one of a series of meetings aimed at helping regional NGOs understand various issues affecting them” he said, adding that they also use the platform to share experiences.

Jaquiline Mmari from Tanzania Mentors Action said that the five-year strategic plan is important in setting direction for the development of NGOs in Tanzania.

She thanked the organizers of the training for enabling them to go through the guidelines, thus more understanding on how to lead their organizations.

Charles Komba, senior monitoring and evaluation Officer from the Registrar of NGOs office who took the participants through some of the topics, said the document recognizes the broader aspects of NGO sustainability.

As in many other parts of the world, the survival of NGOs in Tanzania is becoming a challenge because of the changes in the external funding environment as well as the local operating environment, and the capacity of NGOs, especially the small resource-constrained NGOs to adequately respond to these changes.