THE European Union (EU) has committed 17.8bn/- (€6.5m) to support local civil society organisations, with a focus on promoting good governance, media freedom, youth empowerment and public financial accountability.

Christine Grau, the resident EU ambassador, said at the signing ceremony in Dar es Salaam lately that the funding, provided through the civil society thematic programme and finance for growth action, is meant to foster a more transparent, just and inclusive society by amplifying the voices of citizens and institutions.

The four selected projects were put to a competitive selection process and will be implemented by Tanzanian and international organisations, she said, stressing that the partnership goes beyond signing documents. It also involves trust, shared goals and amplifying the voices of those who are often unheard, she stated.

She was of the view that a thriving civil society is essential for accountability, strengthening democratic governance and enriching communities, such that the EU’s investment underscores its long-standing commitment to strengthening Tanzanian civil society.

It acknowledges the crucial role these organisations play in driving positive change and fostering a more inclusive society, she said, elaborating that the EU’s commitment is part of the broader Global Gateway strategy, which promotes sustainable development through smart, clean and secure infrastructure.

This strategy is implemented under the Team Europe banner, involving EU institutions and member states, she explained, noting that one of the key initiatives, relating to empowering journalists for informed communities in Tanzania, will be led by International Media Support (IMS) and Jamii Forums, receiving 5.28bn/- (€2m)  in total.

The project is geared to improve public access to credible media content, particularly for women, youth and rural communities by strengthening the capacity of journalists to produce impactful stories and counter misinformation, thus promoting informed civic engagement, she further noted.

Fausta Musokwa, programme manager at IMS, emphasized the importance of good journalism in combating misinformation and contributing to a more transparent and democratic society.

The "Youth Plus" project, also receiving 5.28bn/- (€2m), is led by Save the Children and ‘Better Tanzania’ Initiative.

It focuses on empowering youth by strengthening youth-led civil society organisations (CSOs) and young leaders. A key feature of the initiative is the creation of a ‘youth sounding board’ to advise the EU on youth-related policies.

Arafat Lesheve, a young leader, expressed his belief in the transformative power of youth voices and the importance of empowering youth-led organisations to drive change.

Another project, in safeguarding the rule of law, civic space and accountability, will receive 3.96bn/- (€1.5m), led by a consortium of organisations including the East Africa Law Society (EALS), Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU), Zanzibar Female Lawyers Association (ZAFELA) and the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC).

The project aims to strengthen legal protections, expand access to justice and safeguard civic space, empowering legal professionals and CSOs to challenge unjust policies and protect human rights, the manager noted.

Onesmo Olengurumwa, the THRDC national coordinator, highlighted the importance of defending rights and strengthening justice, with the Wajibu Institute of Public Accountability and Policy Forum taking up a project on ‘empowering citizen agency for public financial governance” receiving 2.64bn/- (€1m).

The initiative focuses on promoting citizen participation in public financial governance, enhancing transparency and accountability in the management of public resources, the manager affirmed.

Ludovick Utouh, the institute’s executive director, specified that the project will provide platforms for citizens to engage with decision-makers and advocate for accountability.

The grant signing ceremony was attended by representatives from human rights organisations, youth groups, media organisations and governance-focused CSOs, alongside EU officials.