Project News

The target LGAs of the project are expected to strengthen existing community initiatives (CIs)^[1], generate new CIs, adequately support them as well as sustain the activeness of communities through an added LGA's function of "facilitation." District Taskforce (DTF), which is a group of selected local government officers of the District Councils, are expected to play a central role in such endeavor.

Presentation by O&OD team during DTF workshop

The project conducted a three-day workshop for DTF members from 5 target LGAs (Ulanga, Morogoro, Kilombero, Bagamoyo and Kisarawe) from March 9 to 11, 2016 in Morogoro. These target LGAs have 6 years of experience in Improved O&OD from the previous phase of the project, and they are expected to accumulate successful experience as examples for other LGAs to follow. Therefore the purpose of the workshop was to further strengthen their mindset and capacity as model LGAs.

The workshop was smoothly conducted in line with the workshop timetable with participation of 19 out of 21 invited DTF members. The workshop aimed to:
(1) reinforce the understanding of DTF members on Improved O&OD,
(2) strengthen their roles and responsibilities, and
(3) provide knowledge on the mechanism for supporting CIs.

Through the workshop it can be said that purpose (1) was achieved in high significance. Purpose (2) and (3) were also achieved to some extent. The mechanism to support and promote CIs has been equally understood among the participants, which can be considered a notable progress, and will be a foundation to establish such mechanism at the LGAs. However, few ideas on concrete action came out from the workshop because of the limited time and discussion. The O&OD team intends to develop the capacity and mechanism at these LGAs through continuous consultation.