Rashidi Jololo
JF-Expert Member
- Sep 21, 2022
- 1,492
- 2,366
Vijana wenzangu amkeni sasa,
Maisha magumu, ukosefu wa ajira, kupanda kwa gharama za maisha na mambo mengine ya hovyo kabisa, chanzo chake ni KATIBA hii mbovu inayowanufaisha serikali ya CCM, viongozi wake na familia zao.
Serikali ya CCM ni wanufaika wakubwa wa umasikini wetu na taabu nyingine tunazozipata, hakuna siku haya mambo yatapatiwa ufumbuzi pasipo kuipata katiba mpya (ile itakayotokana na rasimu ya Warioba), ambayo kwa kweli ndio ambayo italeta UWAJIBIKAJI.
Kwa mfano kuna pesa zilitolewa na Wafadhili (IFAD), tangu muda mrefu ili ziweze kuchochea shughuli za uchumi kwa kukopeshwa kwa wavuvi waweze kufuga samaki kwa kutumia vizimba. Pesa hizo kama zingewafikia wavuvi maana zingesaidia kuongeza mzunguko wa pesa mitaani, zingeongeza ajira nyingi na kuchochea uchumi.
Hadi leo hii hakuna pesa yoyote iliyomfikia mvuvi, zimeishia KUTAFUNWA na WAKUBWA huko (so painful).
Shime vijana wenzangu wakati wa kuchukua hatua dhidi ya huyu MKOLONI MWEUSI (CCM) ni sasa.
Serikali ya Marekani kupitia USAID TANZANIA imemwaga mapesa kwenye mradi wa kuimarisha demokrasia, utawala bora na uwajibikaji n.k Tuitumie fursa hiyo vijana kuomba miradi ya KUPEANA ELIMU KUHUSU UMUHIMU WA KATIBA MPYA ili tuweze KULIVUA HILI KOTI LILILOTUBANA KWA MUDA MREFU (CCM) kupitia upatikanaji wa katiba safi ambayo itatuletea viongozi wawajibikaji, wasio na kiburi na dharau..
FUATILIA HAPA KWAAJILI YA FURSA ZA MIRADI MBALI MBALI AMBAYO ITATUSAIDIA KAMA VIJANA KUWEZA KUTIMIZA JAMBO LETU;
1. MRADI WA KWANZA; ($ 250,000 hadi $ 3,000,000 kwa muda wa MIAKA MIWILI TU, ama hadi MIAKA MITANO)
"USAID/Tanzania seeks to build partnerships with Tanzanian citizens, Tanzanian leaders, institutions and organizations for the 5-year period project implementation on Strengthening Inclusive, Democratic, Participatory, and Accountable Governance: Applicants must first submit a concept paper for initial review before April 8, 2023.
Dear Interested Organizations in Tanzania:
The United States Agency for International Development in Tanzania (USAID/Tanzania) is announcing the Strengthening Inclusive, Democratic, Participatory, and Accountable Governance Annual Program Statement (hereinafter SIDPAG APS).
USAID/Tanzania seeks to build partnerships with Tanzanian citizens, Tanzanian leaders, institutions and organizations to promote transformational change in key governance systems and processes. This partnership will be achieved through a new five-year program, Tanzania SIDPAG.
Competition under this APS will utilize either a two or three-step process. Applicants must first submit a concept paper for initial review. All concept papers received by the due date stipulated in this APS or an amendment will be evaluated for responsiveness to the evaluation criterion(a) specified in this APS or subsequent addenda.
USAID may then either request applicants to submit a full application or may invite applicants to a co-creation process. Subject to the successful conclusion of the co-creation process (if held), USAID/Tanzania may decide to request a full application from an applicant.
SECTION A: PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
1. Background:
Following a period of democratic backsliding, Tanzania has begun to reverse course and is actively exploring key reforms to address democracy, rights, and governance challenges. While media and non-governmental organizations continue to face a complicated regulatory environment, there have been repeated commitments to implement reforms.
In January 2023, President Samia Suluhu Hassan lifted the ban on political parties holding rallies and other reforms may materialize in advance of planned local and national elections in 2024 and 2025 or as part of a broader development agenda. Youth are at the intersection of many of these challenges and have emerged as vital actors in Tanzania’s development. Despite making up approximately 70 percent of the population, many Tanzanians under 30 express frustrations with political exclusion and perceptions of marginalization. This can lead to civic disengagement, lower rates of political participation, and a lack of input into community and national-level decision-making.
Opportunities to continue to advance have emerged under the administration of President Hassan, who has expressed a commitment to moderating or reforming current restrictions. A United Republic of Tanzania (Government of Tanzania / GoT)-appointed Task Force on Multi-Party Democracy released its report and key recommendations for political reform in October 2022. Proposed reforms, including to Tanzania’s constitution, as well as amendments to key legislation, regulations, or enforcement of anti-democratic practices can be advanced through legislative or executive means, including apportioning funding to implement them in practice. The outcome of these potential reforms is not yet known; however, it presents Tanzania’s partners with the opportunity to support advocacy, strengthen youth voices in decision-making processes, and protect the rights of all to participate in the benefits of democratic society. USAID continues to be fully committed to helping the GoT implement its reform agenda.
This Strengthening Inclusive, Democratic, Participatory, and Accountable Governance (SIDPAG) Annual Program Statement (APS) seeks to empower Tanzanians, particularly youth, to actively engage in civic affairs, advocate for transparent and accountable democratic governance, and support reforms for a more open and democratic society. USAID intends to make multiple awards under this APS to strengthen governance institutions, enhance the enabling environment for free and open political competition, and protect human and civic rights, in addition to other priorities. To do so, USAID envisions that activities supported through this APS would work with citizens, civil society, media organizations, and the GoT.
2. Purpose:
USAID/Tanzania seeks to build partnerships with Tanzanians, government institutions, civil society, and the private sector to promote transformational change in key governance systems and processes.
This partnership will be achieved through a new five-year program, the SIDPAG project, with the following key results:
1. Enhanced media and civil society resilience
2. Increased transparency and accountability, including over public resources in health, education, agriculture, natural resources, and other areas
3. Strengthened political dialogue and reconciliation
4. More transparent and inclusive electoral and democratic processes
5. Greater political and civic empowerment of women, girls, and marginalized groups
6. Strengthened rule of law, access to justice, and empowerment of Tanzanians, particularly marginalized groups
USAID/Tanzania anticipates that this initiative will support a civil society environment where organizations, including media, operate more freely and effectively. Together with these institutions, citizens will be engaged in greater civic activity, including catalyzing transparency efforts to improve systems of democratic governance. Finally, the rights of women, youth, and marginalized communities will be strengthened so that all Tanzanians may more equitably benefit from the country’s development.
3. Proposed Programmatic Approach and Strategic Alignment:
Awards made under the SIDPAG APS will support USAID/Tanzania’s 2020-2025 Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) goal to support Tanzanian youth to advance the country’s long-term prosperity and journey to self-reliance. Within this framework, the SIDPAG project seeks to support the political will, commitment, and capacity required to strengthen democratic governance, promote accountability, and protect human rights.
These efforts will contribute to each of the strategy’s three Development Objectives through the following:
● Development Objective 1: Enhancing safe and supportive community structures (IR 1.3).
● Development Objective 2: The development of a strong cadre of emerging youth leaders who promote and demand a participatory and citizen-centric model of governance (IR 2.3) and empowering youth to demand more transparency and accountability and play a significant role in shaping the society and government to which they aspire (IR 2.2).
● Development Objective 3: Civil society actors to become more organizationally capable, resilient, financially viable, and credible partners that better represent their constituent interests and engage more effectively with the government. They will also bolster a vibrant, resilient, and active citizenry and a civil society to reinforce Tanzanian commitment for democratic principles (IR 3.2 and IR 3.3).
The program will be implemented through multiple awards in partnership with communities, key governance and accountability institutions, the private sector, media, Faith-Based Organizations, and consortia of national, sub-national, and international civil society organizations (CSOs).
4. Result Areas and Illustrative Outcomes:
USAID has identified the following illustrative results/outcomes, which will be further defined as part of each addendum to this APS. When developing concept papers and applications, applicants are encouraged to consider the illustrative outcomes under each result area. These outcomes are illustrative only and Applicants may develop their own, considering its applicability to each overall priority theme.
Result Area 1: Enhanced media and civil society resilience
Illustrative Outcomes:
● Civil society and media organizations are able to operate more freely, effectively, and sustainably
● Advancement of key reforms to restrictive laws or practices that govern civil society
● Organizations are better equipped to navigate compliance regulations
Effective civil society organizations (CSOs) that serve, represent, and advocate on behalf of citizens are a vital partner in Tanzania’s development aspirations. CSOs are key service providers, augmenting or providing specialized services in areas challenging for government delivery systems. They also give voice to citizens, aggregating community policy preferences and advocating for innovative new approaches to the issues that affect the public the most.
The environment for media and civil society organizations remains challenging. It continues to be shaped by existing legislation such as amendments to the Non-governmental Organizations Act (2019), Media Services Act (2016), Electronic and Postal Communication Act (2010), Cyber Crimes Act (2015), Access to Information Act (2016), Anti-Money Laundering Act (2022), and others. Yet, the legal environment has seen operational improvements because of the current Administration’s implementation of laws affecting the sector, greater GoT willingness to engage with civil society, and decreased harassment of CSOs. Organizational capacity among CSOs has improved in part because many adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic and expanded their use of virtual platforms and digital tools. CSO advocacy is also perceived to be more effective thanks to the opening of civic space under the current governments in Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar.
Result Area 2: Increased transparency and accountability, including over public resources in health, education, agriculture, natural resources, and other areas.
Illustrative Outcomes:
● Increased citizen and civil society agency to lead, support, and collaborate on transparency and accountability initiatives at all levels of government
● Improved transparency in the delivery of key services
● Media equipped to undertake data-based, high quality investigative journalism
● Private sector engaged as key partner to advance good governance practices
In recent years, Tanzania has gradually but consistently improved its public transparency rankings; however, key challenges remain. Complex legal frameworks exist that cover a broad range of public accountability systems as do key institutions mandated with preventing, mitigating, and sanctioning corruption. The Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau, Public Procurement Regulatory Authority, Ethics Secretariat, and National Audit Office are guided by strategic frameworks, including a five-year anti-corruption strategy now in its final year. Institutionally, work remains to be done and shortcomings in transparency and accountability within the functioning of the state bureaucracy and management of key economic sectors are a drag on potential economic growth. Citizens have a collaborative role to play in these efforts. Evidence from around the world shows that when citizens, civil society, including faith-based organizations and the media, are involved in transparency initiatives, local and national governments function more efficiently and effectively. Access to information is vital, as is timely, data and evidence-based investigative journalism that informs both citizens and government alike. The private sector can serve both as a role model for business ethics as well as a partner in furthering these goals.
Result Area 3: Strengthened political dialogues and reconciliation.
Illustrative Outcomes:
● High level political reconciliation efforts advanced and supported
● Mechanisms for constructive resolution of community concerns established and strengthened
● Political reforms reflect broad citizen engagement
Since late 2021, the Government of Tanzania has sought consensus around long-standing, contentious political issues. The successful conclusions of Presidentially appointed task forces for both the Union Government as well as the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar generated a comprehensive set of recommendations to improve Tanzania’s democracy and level disparities in the exercise of political power. Although the ultimate outcome of this reform process is currently unknown, opportunities exist to foster continued dialogue, both among political parties as well as among the parties, government, and citizens. Successful reforms that forge acceptable consensus among stakeholders will depend on sustained participation, commitment, and transparent mechanisms for prioritizing and ultimately implementing reforms. With the task forces now concluded, the mechanisms for doing so have been debated; but are not yet clear.
At the sub-national level, local governments, civil society organizations, and citizens themselves foster dialogue to identify and find resolution to local issues. Examples include over the usage of communal land, natural resource management, or socio-economic disparities. Interfaith collaboration likewise builds on Tanzania’s rich history and forges new shared perspectives around many of these issues. Youth are at the forefront of development challenges and can be invaluable catalysts for resolving complicated issues.
Result Area 4: More transparent and inclusive electoral and democratic processes.
Illustrative Outcomes:
● Citizens, particularly youth, understand their civic rights and more freely participate in democratic elections
● Greater citizen consultation and input into electoral reform
● Elections processes become more citizen-centered
● Advancement of key reforms to restrictive laws or practices that govern political activity
Tanzania has held regular elections since its transition to multi-party democracy 30 years ago. Despite a constitutional framework that allows for open, competitive elections, the ruling political party has in practice continued to dominate the electoral landscape with limited space for opposition parties and candidates. In January 2023, President Hassan lifted the previous administration’s ban on political party rallies and outlined optimism for future reforms. Institutionally, the National Electoral Commission administers and oversees national elections, while its counterpart, the Zanzibar Electoral Commission, does so in Zanzibar. Proposed reforms include recommendations from both the 2022 GoT-appointed Mainland and Zanzibar Task Force reports and call for exploring how to make both institutions more functionally independent, including through legislative reform. Commissioners are appointed respectively by the Presidents of the Union and Zanzibari governments. Citizens have the right to form political parties and parties have the right to compete in local and national elections; however, opposition parties struggle in the face of barriers such Tanzania’s Political Parties Act and other limitations on their activities.
Voter turnout in Tanzania is modest with around 60% of eligible voters casting ballots in recent national elections. As in many countries, Tanzanian youth lag significantly in participation rates. Youth turnout in Tanzania’s 2020 elections was the lowest ever - of the 69% of eligible youth registered to vote, only 48% cast ballots. Observers have highlighted the need for greater civic education and note the lower engagement overall of youth in civic and public affairs. Citizens also have a vital role in shaping the electoral framework that governs national and local elections. As the GoT’s recent task force initiatives demonstrated, the quality of recommendations, their potential outcomes, and feasibility for implementation improve when citizens participate in or are more broadly consulted in the processes.
Result Area 5: Greater political and civic empowerment of women, girls, and marginalized groups
Illustrative Outcomes:
● Women and girls fully exercise their civic and political rights
● Greater prevention, reduction, and mitigation of violence against women and girls
● Tanzania’s Gender-Based Violence Law advanced, enacted, and implemented
● Men and boys engaged as partners and champions of gender equity and equality
● Public institutions (such as political parties and government institutions) adopt, practice, and enforce gender-equitable governance
● Legal framework strengthened to address and eliminate barriers facing women and girls
As part of the country’s commitment to gender equality, the 1977 Constitution of Tanzania stipulates that 30 percent of its members of Parliament be women, elected by political parties. Although the actual proportion of female Members of Parliament is higher - currently around 39.8 percent - fewer than 10% successfully ran for and won open seats, with the majority serving in special seats for women. The electoral environment, from fundraising to promotion to positions of leadership within political parties, is male dominated. Levels of civic participation remain lower for women compared to men. Global research shows that when political systems are more inclusive and representative of the citizenry that they serve, the quality of political representation and the functioning of elected government improves. Opportunities exist to support institutional frameworks within parties as well as the electoral system to incentivize equal participation of women as candidates and successful nominees for competitive office.
Despite important progress by the government and its partners, gender inequalities and inequities persist in Tanzania, and barriers to civic and political participation often mirror other structural forms of inequality. These include harmful social and cultural norms, high rates of maternal mortality, high teenage pregnancy rates, limited control over and ability to benefit from resources, as well as unequal rates of participation in decision-making from the home to professional careers. Inequality in access to economic resources and opportunities is compounded by limited access to secondary education and depressed earnings compared to men. In addition, unequal expectations for women to have and raise children as well as manage family affairs reinforces economic, political, and social divisions of responsibility between men and women. In aggregate, these underlying factors are closely intertwined with disparate rates of civic and political engagement, including advancing to higher levels of leadership in public life.
Result Area 6: Strengthened rule of law, access to justice, and empowerment of Tanzanians,particularly marginalized groups
Illustrative Outcomes:
● Human rights advocacy is broad-based and data-driven
● Advancement of key reforms to punitive human rights laws
● Public human rights institutions strengthened
● More active and engaged citizenry and civil society in human rights issues
Tanzania’s constitution upholds key rights of citizens and the rule of law that, while firmly established through the country’s legal codes, is not always impartially practiced nor evenly enforced. Where rights violations occur, investigating and sanctioning offenders can be impeded by capacity limitations in the country’s court systems as well as by political influences acting on institutions. Key freedoms, including of expression and assembly are impeded by practices that limit their exercise. Against this backdrop, civil society organizations, media, and citizens have faced challenges in the human rights space and advocacy is often fractured by issue or by organization. The current Administration’s recent progress advancing potential reforms on multi-party democracy is an opportunity to strengthen human rights protections and expand the freer exercise of constitutionally protected rights. Punitive or restrictive laws – often passed through Certificates of Urgency – disproportionately affect marginalized communities, including women and girls, indigenous communities, and may be revisited for reform with greater opportunity for public input. With greater access to high-quality reporting, citizens and other stakeholders may strengthen advocacy or find greater opportunities to push for reforms with like-minded organizations. Likewise, Ministries whose legal and institutional mandates touch on the rights of citizens may more widely consult citizens on reforms.
5. Cross-cutting Themes:
Gender Analysis:
The SIDPAG project will integrate gender throughout its result areas, ensuring that men and women are meaningfully engaged, that both benefit from USAID’s support, and that gender awareness and sensitivity are built-in themes within each result area.
Gender considerations will be given high premium during co-creation (if any), implementation, and during reviews. The entire program cycle will need to demonstrate how identified gender gaps shall be addressed. The program will measure and track progress on the extent to which identified gender gaps are closed and to which new opportunities are created and leveraged for women, including young women, adolescent girls, and women with disabilities.
Integrating gender considerations into the activity involves identifying and addressing gender blind or neutral approaches during design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. It will involve integrating women and men meaningfully into the activity results framework, benchmarks, and indicators. It will ensure that activities alleviate gender related constraints and capitalize on gender related opportunities, such as under national conversations and dialogue, legislation and policies, in all areas and at all levels.
Youth and Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs):
USAID/Tanzania highlights youth and persons living with disabilities as some of the cross-cutting themes to be incorporated into the project design. Throughout the implementation of activities under the SIDPAG APS, opportunities must be enhanced to mobilize and channel the voices and aspirations of youth and persons living with disabilities into the discussion on democratic development. Applicants are therefore required to clearly articulate how these themes will be woven into the activities and be prepared to monitor and report on them.
Partners are required to articulate in their technical approach how these themes will be integrated into activities and workplan. Partners will be expected to utilize and include concrete, practical approaches that will not only address the challenges that youth and persons living with disabilities face to accomplish the activity results but will also involve and support young people and persons living with disabilities, as well youth/PLWD-led organizations in the implementation and leadership of this program.
Localization:
Through this APS, USAID envisions a variety of local partners, including those who have not previously received a prime award from USAID. The awards under the APS would not only provide direct funding but may also allow applicants to budget certain amounts for their own capacity development along USAID’s New Partnership Initiative principles.
USAID envisages a partnership that will be inclusive, Tanzania-led, Tanzania-managed, and Tanzania-owned. The Mission anticipates that local in-country organizations will implement both as primes and as sub awardees, cooperating as part of a consortium or other type of partnership arrangement. Activities will build new partnerships with national and local governments, Tanzanian organizations, and non-traditional partners, few of which may have previous direct grantee experience with USAID. USAID encourages coalitions of local organizations in pursuit of key results, including civil society, faith-based and community-based organizations, universities and research organizations, and the private sector where there are shared interests.
SECTION B – FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION
1. APS, Addenda, and Award Description:
USAID/Tanzania will issue regular addenda soliciting concept papers, each with one or more prioritized themes that will be stated in the addendum. USAID/Tanzania envisions the following stages to the SIDPAG solicitation and award process:
Phase 1: Concept Paper Review
Phase 2: Co-creation (optional, at the discretion of USAID/Tanzania)
Phase 3: Full Application
Stages may require varying degrees of collaboration. Co-creation may be used. Co-creation is a non-linear process and applicants may be invited to attend multiple collaborative engagements. Concept papers must be provided in response to, and in accordance with the instructions provided in this APS.
NOTE: Applicants may submit no more than one concept paper as a prime applicant in response to an addendum. If an applicant submits more than one concept paper as prime under a single addendum, all concept papers will be eliminated from review. Applicants may apply under more than one addendum.
2. Estimate of Funds Available and Number of Awards Contemplated:
USAID intends to make multiple awards that may be either cooperative agreements or grants pursuant to this APS notice of funding opportunity. Subject to funding availability and at the discretion of the Agency, USAID intends to provide up to $13,000,000 in total USAID funding.
$13,000,000 is the funding for all awards made under this APS. Individual awards will range between from $250,000 to a maximum amount of $3,000,000 for a 5-year period.
Ili kuona tangazo hili, ingia hapa na kisha weka namba hizi Funding Opportunity/APS Number: 72062123APS00001;
Search Grants | GRANTS.GOV
Maisha magumu, ukosefu wa ajira, kupanda kwa gharama za maisha na mambo mengine ya hovyo kabisa, chanzo chake ni KATIBA hii mbovu inayowanufaisha serikali ya CCM, viongozi wake na familia zao.
Serikali ya CCM ni wanufaika wakubwa wa umasikini wetu na taabu nyingine tunazozipata, hakuna siku haya mambo yatapatiwa ufumbuzi pasipo kuipata katiba mpya (ile itakayotokana na rasimu ya Warioba), ambayo kwa kweli ndio ambayo italeta UWAJIBIKAJI.
Kwa mfano kuna pesa zilitolewa na Wafadhili (IFAD), tangu muda mrefu ili ziweze kuchochea shughuli za uchumi kwa kukopeshwa kwa wavuvi waweze kufuga samaki kwa kutumia vizimba. Pesa hizo kama zingewafikia wavuvi maana zingesaidia kuongeza mzunguko wa pesa mitaani, zingeongeza ajira nyingi na kuchochea uchumi.
Hadi leo hii hakuna pesa yoyote iliyomfikia mvuvi, zimeishia KUTAFUNWA na WAKUBWA huko (so painful).
Shime vijana wenzangu wakati wa kuchukua hatua dhidi ya huyu MKOLONI MWEUSI (CCM) ni sasa.
Serikali ya Marekani kupitia USAID TANZANIA imemwaga mapesa kwenye mradi wa kuimarisha demokrasia, utawala bora na uwajibikaji n.k Tuitumie fursa hiyo vijana kuomba miradi ya KUPEANA ELIMU KUHUSU UMUHIMU WA KATIBA MPYA ili tuweze KULIVUA HILI KOTI LILILOTUBANA KWA MUDA MREFU (CCM) kupitia upatikanaji wa katiba safi ambayo itatuletea viongozi wawajibikaji, wasio na kiburi na dharau..
FUATILIA HAPA KWAAJILI YA FURSA ZA MIRADI MBALI MBALI AMBAYO ITATUSAIDIA KAMA VIJANA KUWEZA KUTIMIZA JAMBO LETU;
1. MRADI WA KWANZA; ($ 250,000 hadi $ 3,000,000 kwa muda wa MIAKA MIWILI TU, ama hadi MIAKA MITANO)
"USAID/Tanzania seeks to build partnerships with Tanzanian citizens, Tanzanian leaders, institutions and organizations for the 5-year period project implementation on Strengthening Inclusive, Democratic, Participatory, and Accountable Governance: Applicants must first submit a concept paper for initial review before April 8, 2023.
Dear Interested Organizations in Tanzania:
The United States Agency for International Development in Tanzania (USAID/Tanzania) is announcing the Strengthening Inclusive, Democratic, Participatory, and Accountable Governance Annual Program Statement (hereinafter SIDPAG APS).
USAID/Tanzania seeks to build partnerships with Tanzanian citizens, Tanzanian leaders, institutions and organizations to promote transformational change in key governance systems and processes. This partnership will be achieved through a new five-year program, Tanzania SIDPAG.
Competition under this APS will utilize either a two or three-step process. Applicants must first submit a concept paper for initial review. All concept papers received by the due date stipulated in this APS or an amendment will be evaluated for responsiveness to the evaluation criterion(a) specified in this APS or subsequent addenda.
USAID may then either request applicants to submit a full application or may invite applicants to a co-creation process. Subject to the successful conclusion of the co-creation process (if held), USAID/Tanzania may decide to request a full application from an applicant.
SECTION A: PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
1. Background:
Following a period of democratic backsliding, Tanzania has begun to reverse course and is actively exploring key reforms to address democracy, rights, and governance challenges. While media and non-governmental organizations continue to face a complicated regulatory environment, there have been repeated commitments to implement reforms.
In January 2023, President Samia Suluhu Hassan lifted the ban on political parties holding rallies and other reforms may materialize in advance of planned local and national elections in 2024 and 2025 or as part of a broader development agenda. Youth are at the intersection of many of these challenges and have emerged as vital actors in Tanzania’s development. Despite making up approximately 70 percent of the population, many Tanzanians under 30 express frustrations with political exclusion and perceptions of marginalization. This can lead to civic disengagement, lower rates of political participation, and a lack of input into community and national-level decision-making.
Opportunities to continue to advance have emerged under the administration of President Hassan, who has expressed a commitment to moderating or reforming current restrictions. A United Republic of Tanzania (Government of Tanzania / GoT)-appointed Task Force on Multi-Party Democracy released its report and key recommendations for political reform in October 2022. Proposed reforms, including to Tanzania’s constitution, as well as amendments to key legislation, regulations, or enforcement of anti-democratic practices can be advanced through legislative or executive means, including apportioning funding to implement them in practice. The outcome of these potential reforms is not yet known; however, it presents Tanzania’s partners with the opportunity to support advocacy, strengthen youth voices in decision-making processes, and protect the rights of all to participate in the benefits of democratic society. USAID continues to be fully committed to helping the GoT implement its reform agenda.
This Strengthening Inclusive, Democratic, Participatory, and Accountable Governance (SIDPAG) Annual Program Statement (APS) seeks to empower Tanzanians, particularly youth, to actively engage in civic affairs, advocate for transparent and accountable democratic governance, and support reforms for a more open and democratic society. USAID intends to make multiple awards under this APS to strengthen governance institutions, enhance the enabling environment for free and open political competition, and protect human and civic rights, in addition to other priorities. To do so, USAID envisions that activities supported through this APS would work with citizens, civil society, media organizations, and the GoT.
2. Purpose:
USAID/Tanzania seeks to build partnerships with Tanzanians, government institutions, civil society, and the private sector to promote transformational change in key governance systems and processes.
This partnership will be achieved through a new five-year program, the SIDPAG project, with the following key results:
1. Enhanced media and civil society resilience
2. Increased transparency and accountability, including over public resources in health, education, agriculture, natural resources, and other areas
3. Strengthened political dialogue and reconciliation
4. More transparent and inclusive electoral and democratic processes
5. Greater political and civic empowerment of women, girls, and marginalized groups
6. Strengthened rule of law, access to justice, and empowerment of Tanzanians, particularly marginalized groups
USAID/Tanzania anticipates that this initiative will support a civil society environment where organizations, including media, operate more freely and effectively. Together with these institutions, citizens will be engaged in greater civic activity, including catalyzing transparency efforts to improve systems of democratic governance. Finally, the rights of women, youth, and marginalized communities will be strengthened so that all Tanzanians may more equitably benefit from the country’s development.
3. Proposed Programmatic Approach and Strategic Alignment:
Awards made under the SIDPAG APS will support USAID/Tanzania’s 2020-2025 Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) goal to support Tanzanian youth to advance the country’s long-term prosperity and journey to self-reliance. Within this framework, the SIDPAG project seeks to support the political will, commitment, and capacity required to strengthen democratic governance, promote accountability, and protect human rights.
These efforts will contribute to each of the strategy’s three Development Objectives through the following:
● Development Objective 1: Enhancing safe and supportive community structures (IR 1.3).
● Development Objective 2: The development of a strong cadre of emerging youth leaders who promote and demand a participatory and citizen-centric model of governance (IR 2.3) and empowering youth to demand more transparency and accountability and play a significant role in shaping the society and government to which they aspire (IR 2.2).
● Development Objective 3: Civil society actors to become more organizationally capable, resilient, financially viable, and credible partners that better represent their constituent interests and engage more effectively with the government. They will also bolster a vibrant, resilient, and active citizenry and a civil society to reinforce Tanzanian commitment for democratic principles (IR 3.2 and IR 3.3).
The program will be implemented through multiple awards in partnership with communities, key governance and accountability institutions, the private sector, media, Faith-Based Organizations, and consortia of national, sub-national, and international civil society organizations (CSOs).
4. Result Areas and Illustrative Outcomes:
USAID has identified the following illustrative results/outcomes, which will be further defined as part of each addendum to this APS. When developing concept papers and applications, applicants are encouraged to consider the illustrative outcomes under each result area. These outcomes are illustrative only and Applicants may develop their own, considering its applicability to each overall priority theme.
Result Area 1: Enhanced media and civil society resilience
Illustrative Outcomes:
● Civil society and media organizations are able to operate more freely, effectively, and sustainably
● Advancement of key reforms to restrictive laws or practices that govern civil society
● Organizations are better equipped to navigate compliance regulations
Effective civil society organizations (CSOs) that serve, represent, and advocate on behalf of citizens are a vital partner in Tanzania’s development aspirations. CSOs are key service providers, augmenting or providing specialized services in areas challenging for government delivery systems. They also give voice to citizens, aggregating community policy preferences and advocating for innovative new approaches to the issues that affect the public the most.
The environment for media and civil society organizations remains challenging. It continues to be shaped by existing legislation such as amendments to the Non-governmental Organizations Act (2019), Media Services Act (2016), Electronic and Postal Communication Act (2010), Cyber Crimes Act (2015), Access to Information Act (2016), Anti-Money Laundering Act (2022), and others. Yet, the legal environment has seen operational improvements because of the current Administration’s implementation of laws affecting the sector, greater GoT willingness to engage with civil society, and decreased harassment of CSOs. Organizational capacity among CSOs has improved in part because many adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic and expanded their use of virtual platforms and digital tools. CSO advocacy is also perceived to be more effective thanks to the opening of civic space under the current governments in Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar.
Result Area 2: Increased transparency and accountability, including over public resources in health, education, agriculture, natural resources, and other areas.
Illustrative Outcomes:
● Increased citizen and civil society agency to lead, support, and collaborate on transparency and accountability initiatives at all levels of government
● Improved transparency in the delivery of key services
● Media equipped to undertake data-based, high quality investigative journalism
● Private sector engaged as key partner to advance good governance practices
In recent years, Tanzania has gradually but consistently improved its public transparency rankings; however, key challenges remain. Complex legal frameworks exist that cover a broad range of public accountability systems as do key institutions mandated with preventing, mitigating, and sanctioning corruption. The Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau, Public Procurement Regulatory Authority, Ethics Secretariat, and National Audit Office are guided by strategic frameworks, including a five-year anti-corruption strategy now in its final year. Institutionally, work remains to be done and shortcomings in transparency and accountability within the functioning of the state bureaucracy and management of key economic sectors are a drag on potential economic growth. Citizens have a collaborative role to play in these efforts. Evidence from around the world shows that when citizens, civil society, including faith-based organizations and the media, are involved in transparency initiatives, local and national governments function more efficiently and effectively. Access to information is vital, as is timely, data and evidence-based investigative journalism that informs both citizens and government alike. The private sector can serve both as a role model for business ethics as well as a partner in furthering these goals.
Result Area 3: Strengthened political dialogues and reconciliation.
Illustrative Outcomes:
● High level political reconciliation efforts advanced and supported
● Mechanisms for constructive resolution of community concerns established and strengthened
● Political reforms reflect broad citizen engagement
Since late 2021, the Government of Tanzania has sought consensus around long-standing, contentious political issues. The successful conclusions of Presidentially appointed task forces for both the Union Government as well as the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar generated a comprehensive set of recommendations to improve Tanzania’s democracy and level disparities in the exercise of political power. Although the ultimate outcome of this reform process is currently unknown, opportunities exist to foster continued dialogue, both among political parties as well as among the parties, government, and citizens. Successful reforms that forge acceptable consensus among stakeholders will depend on sustained participation, commitment, and transparent mechanisms for prioritizing and ultimately implementing reforms. With the task forces now concluded, the mechanisms for doing so have been debated; but are not yet clear.
At the sub-national level, local governments, civil society organizations, and citizens themselves foster dialogue to identify and find resolution to local issues. Examples include over the usage of communal land, natural resource management, or socio-economic disparities. Interfaith collaboration likewise builds on Tanzania’s rich history and forges new shared perspectives around many of these issues. Youth are at the forefront of development challenges and can be invaluable catalysts for resolving complicated issues.
Result Area 4: More transparent and inclusive electoral and democratic processes.
Illustrative Outcomes:
● Citizens, particularly youth, understand their civic rights and more freely participate in democratic elections
● Greater citizen consultation and input into electoral reform
● Elections processes become more citizen-centered
● Advancement of key reforms to restrictive laws or practices that govern political activity
Tanzania has held regular elections since its transition to multi-party democracy 30 years ago. Despite a constitutional framework that allows for open, competitive elections, the ruling political party has in practice continued to dominate the electoral landscape with limited space for opposition parties and candidates. In January 2023, President Hassan lifted the previous administration’s ban on political party rallies and outlined optimism for future reforms. Institutionally, the National Electoral Commission administers and oversees national elections, while its counterpart, the Zanzibar Electoral Commission, does so in Zanzibar. Proposed reforms include recommendations from both the 2022 GoT-appointed Mainland and Zanzibar Task Force reports and call for exploring how to make both institutions more functionally independent, including through legislative reform. Commissioners are appointed respectively by the Presidents of the Union and Zanzibari governments. Citizens have the right to form political parties and parties have the right to compete in local and national elections; however, opposition parties struggle in the face of barriers such Tanzania’s Political Parties Act and other limitations on their activities.
Voter turnout in Tanzania is modest with around 60% of eligible voters casting ballots in recent national elections. As in many countries, Tanzanian youth lag significantly in participation rates. Youth turnout in Tanzania’s 2020 elections was the lowest ever - of the 69% of eligible youth registered to vote, only 48% cast ballots. Observers have highlighted the need for greater civic education and note the lower engagement overall of youth in civic and public affairs. Citizens also have a vital role in shaping the electoral framework that governs national and local elections. As the GoT’s recent task force initiatives demonstrated, the quality of recommendations, their potential outcomes, and feasibility for implementation improve when citizens participate in or are more broadly consulted in the processes.
Result Area 5: Greater political and civic empowerment of women, girls, and marginalized groups
Illustrative Outcomes:
● Women and girls fully exercise their civic and political rights
● Greater prevention, reduction, and mitigation of violence against women and girls
● Tanzania’s Gender-Based Violence Law advanced, enacted, and implemented
● Men and boys engaged as partners and champions of gender equity and equality
● Public institutions (such as political parties and government institutions) adopt, practice, and enforce gender-equitable governance
● Legal framework strengthened to address and eliminate barriers facing women and girls
As part of the country’s commitment to gender equality, the 1977 Constitution of Tanzania stipulates that 30 percent of its members of Parliament be women, elected by political parties. Although the actual proportion of female Members of Parliament is higher - currently around 39.8 percent - fewer than 10% successfully ran for and won open seats, with the majority serving in special seats for women. The electoral environment, from fundraising to promotion to positions of leadership within political parties, is male dominated. Levels of civic participation remain lower for women compared to men. Global research shows that when political systems are more inclusive and representative of the citizenry that they serve, the quality of political representation and the functioning of elected government improves. Opportunities exist to support institutional frameworks within parties as well as the electoral system to incentivize equal participation of women as candidates and successful nominees for competitive office.
Despite important progress by the government and its partners, gender inequalities and inequities persist in Tanzania, and barriers to civic and political participation often mirror other structural forms of inequality. These include harmful social and cultural norms, high rates of maternal mortality, high teenage pregnancy rates, limited control over and ability to benefit from resources, as well as unequal rates of participation in decision-making from the home to professional careers. Inequality in access to economic resources and opportunities is compounded by limited access to secondary education and depressed earnings compared to men. In addition, unequal expectations for women to have and raise children as well as manage family affairs reinforces economic, political, and social divisions of responsibility between men and women. In aggregate, these underlying factors are closely intertwined with disparate rates of civic and political engagement, including advancing to higher levels of leadership in public life.
Result Area 6: Strengthened rule of law, access to justice, and empowerment of Tanzanians,particularly marginalized groups
Illustrative Outcomes:
● Human rights advocacy is broad-based and data-driven
● Advancement of key reforms to punitive human rights laws
● Public human rights institutions strengthened
● More active and engaged citizenry and civil society in human rights issues
Tanzania’s constitution upholds key rights of citizens and the rule of law that, while firmly established through the country’s legal codes, is not always impartially practiced nor evenly enforced. Where rights violations occur, investigating and sanctioning offenders can be impeded by capacity limitations in the country’s court systems as well as by political influences acting on institutions. Key freedoms, including of expression and assembly are impeded by practices that limit their exercise. Against this backdrop, civil society organizations, media, and citizens have faced challenges in the human rights space and advocacy is often fractured by issue or by organization. The current Administration’s recent progress advancing potential reforms on multi-party democracy is an opportunity to strengthen human rights protections and expand the freer exercise of constitutionally protected rights. Punitive or restrictive laws – often passed through Certificates of Urgency – disproportionately affect marginalized communities, including women and girls, indigenous communities, and may be revisited for reform with greater opportunity for public input. With greater access to high-quality reporting, citizens and other stakeholders may strengthen advocacy or find greater opportunities to push for reforms with like-minded organizations. Likewise, Ministries whose legal and institutional mandates touch on the rights of citizens may more widely consult citizens on reforms.
5. Cross-cutting Themes:
Gender Analysis:
The SIDPAG project will integrate gender throughout its result areas, ensuring that men and women are meaningfully engaged, that both benefit from USAID’s support, and that gender awareness and sensitivity are built-in themes within each result area.
Gender considerations will be given high premium during co-creation (if any), implementation, and during reviews. The entire program cycle will need to demonstrate how identified gender gaps shall be addressed. The program will measure and track progress on the extent to which identified gender gaps are closed and to which new opportunities are created and leveraged for women, including young women, adolescent girls, and women with disabilities.
Integrating gender considerations into the activity involves identifying and addressing gender blind or neutral approaches during design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. It will involve integrating women and men meaningfully into the activity results framework, benchmarks, and indicators. It will ensure that activities alleviate gender related constraints and capitalize on gender related opportunities, such as under national conversations and dialogue, legislation and policies, in all areas and at all levels.
Youth and Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs):
USAID/Tanzania highlights youth and persons living with disabilities as some of the cross-cutting themes to be incorporated into the project design. Throughout the implementation of activities under the SIDPAG APS, opportunities must be enhanced to mobilize and channel the voices and aspirations of youth and persons living with disabilities into the discussion on democratic development. Applicants are therefore required to clearly articulate how these themes will be woven into the activities and be prepared to monitor and report on them.
Partners are required to articulate in their technical approach how these themes will be integrated into activities and workplan. Partners will be expected to utilize and include concrete, practical approaches that will not only address the challenges that youth and persons living with disabilities face to accomplish the activity results but will also involve and support young people and persons living with disabilities, as well youth/PLWD-led organizations in the implementation and leadership of this program.
Localization:
Through this APS, USAID envisions a variety of local partners, including those who have not previously received a prime award from USAID. The awards under the APS would not only provide direct funding but may also allow applicants to budget certain amounts for their own capacity development along USAID’s New Partnership Initiative principles.
USAID envisages a partnership that will be inclusive, Tanzania-led, Tanzania-managed, and Tanzania-owned. The Mission anticipates that local in-country organizations will implement both as primes and as sub awardees, cooperating as part of a consortium or other type of partnership arrangement. Activities will build new partnerships with national and local governments, Tanzanian organizations, and non-traditional partners, few of which may have previous direct grantee experience with USAID. USAID encourages coalitions of local organizations in pursuit of key results, including civil society, faith-based and community-based organizations, universities and research organizations, and the private sector where there are shared interests.
SECTION B – FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION
1. APS, Addenda, and Award Description:
USAID/Tanzania will issue regular addenda soliciting concept papers, each with one or more prioritized themes that will be stated in the addendum. USAID/Tanzania envisions the following stages to the SIDPAG solicitation and award process:
Phase 1: Concept Paper Review
Phase 2: Co-creation (optional, at the discretion of USAID/Tanzania)
Phase 3: Full Application
Stages may require varying degrees of collaboration. Co-creation may be used. Co-creation is a non-linear process and applicants may be invited to attend multiple collaborative engagements. Concept papers must be provided in response to, and in accordance with the instructions provided in this APS.
NOTE: Applicants may submit no more than one concept paper as a prime applicant in response to an addendum. If an applicant submits more than one concept paper as prime under a single addendum, all concept papers will be eliminated from review. Applicants may apply under more than one addendum.
2. Estimate of Funds Available and Number of Awards Contemplated:
USAID intends to make multiple awards that may be either cooperative agreements or grants pursuant to this APS notice of funding opportunity. Subject to funding availability and at the discretion of the Agency, USAID intends to provide up to $13,000,000 in total USAID funding.
$13,000,000 is the funding for all awards made under this APS. Individual awards will range between from $250,000 to a maximum amount of $3,000,000 for a 5-year period.
Ili kuona tangazo hili, ingia hapa na kisha weka namba hizi Funding Opportunity/APS Number: 72062123APS00001;
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