Social Accountability

Tanzania has a history of centralized state. The current decentralization process devolves decision-making from central to local government level. Despite some success such as a clear policy in place, political, fiscal and human resources/administrative decentralization still lag behind. But civic awareness is growing among citizens and CSOs are starting to play a significant role as challenger and watchdog thus contributing to the needed changes to reduce poverty and achieve more equity and equality in a country showing a poverty rate as high as 34%. Parliament is also increasingly active in raising critical issues, all of this being fuelled by a more outspoken media.

To improve the use of public resources and ensure a more equitable access (socially – including gender - and geographically based) to quality social services in agriculture and health.

Citizens, CSOs, CSO networks, LGA, national oversight bodies (Parliament and local Councils)

• Increased linkages between national CSOs and local networks have led to improved understanding of accountability issues and presentation of evidence based cases to decision makers;
• Men and women can hold local and national government accountable thanks to relevant SDC funded projects in health, agriculture and governance that mainstreams social accountability in their programs;
• Relevant findings of research, learning and capitalization of experiences in social accountability contribute to improved programs, in particular regarding the promotion of gender equality and scaling-up of SA successful initiatives.

Principaux résultats attendus:  

• General and sector specific budgets have been subject to gender sensitive budget analysis, annual planning and budgeting allocation analysis and review, Expenditure Tracking, and Value for Money Surveys;
• MPs and relevant committees have been informed, challenged and convinced on issues presented by CSOs;
• Relevant SDC projects at local level are connected to national CSOs advocating for improved accountability;
• SDC projects as well as local networks are informed on health, agriculture and market policies and plans;
• CSOs and local networks/ NGOs have strengthened institutional and technical capacities for conducting SAM;
• Research findings/best practices on accountability issues are published.

Principaux résultats antérieurs:  

By applying Social Accountability Monitoring (SAM) tools Policy Forum and Sikika have been able to influence the government in changes of the budget based on the findings they published and presented in relevant stakeholder forum, in particular regarding the use of allowances. Both organizations still need support in organizational capacity strengthening to allow them to further develop stronger linkages to local levels.

RLDC, HPSS, research & training units/partnerships, local networks/CBOs

Phase 1 01.09.2009 - 31.12.2014   (Completed)