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Dar es Salaam, April 23, 2026 — In a bold step toward strengthening grassroots impact and advancing child protection efforts, the Foundation for Civil Society (FCS) has partnered with UNICEF Tanzania to launch a transformative capacity-building programme for youth-led and women-led civil society organisations (CSOs).
The initiative—covering Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, and Songwe—marks a historic milestone as FCS enters its first-ever direct collaboration with the United Nations system. More importantly, it signals a growing commitment to localising solutions for Tanzania’s most vulnerable children and adolescents by empowering organisations that are closest to the communities they serve.
Building Resilient Community Champions
At its core, the programme is designed to equip selected CSOs with the tools they need to thrive beyond traditional donor cycles. Through structured training, mentorship, and institutional support, participating organisations will strengthen their capabilities in governance, leadership, advocacy, financial management, and resource mobilisation.
Speaking at the launch, Miranda Armstrong, Chief of Child Protection at UNICEF Tanzania, emphasised the long-term vision behind the initiative:
“By investing in the long-term capacity of youth-led and women-led CSOs, this programme equips them with the institutional and programmatic resilience needed to thrive beyond donor-funded cycles.”
Her remarks highlight a critical shift—from short-term project funding to sustainable organisational development.
Aligning with National Priorities
The programme also aligns closely with Tanzania’s broader development agenda. Ms. Given Sure, Regional Community Development Officer for Dar es Salaam, noted that the initiative supports key national frameworks, including Tanzania Vision 2050 and the National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children (NPA-VAWC II).
“This partnership marks a meaningful step in our learning pathway, and we are proud to walk this journey alongside our CSO partners as we grow, learn, and create lasting impact together,” she said.
By strengthening community-led organisations, the initiative directly contributes to inclusive development, citizen empowerment, and violence prevention efforts across the country.
Why This Matters: Tanzania’s Youth Reality
Tanzania’s demographic landscape underscores the urgency of such interventions. With adolescents aged 10–19 making up approximately 23% of the population, the country stands at a pivotal crossroads.
While this youthful population holds immense potential to drive innovation and economic growth, it also faces significant challenges, including:
- High rates of teenage pregnancy and child marriage
- Exposure to physical, emotional, and sexual violence
- Limited access to youth-friendly health and social services
- Minimal participation in decision-making processes
These realities demand targeted, community-driven responses—an area where youth-led and women-led CSOs excel.
30 CSOs Selected for Transformation
Following a competitive selection process, 30 CSOs from Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, and Songwe have been chosen to participate in the programme. Beyond training and mentorship, these organisations will have the opportunity to access seed grants of up to TZS 25 million each.
The funding will support pilot projects aimed at addressing pressing community challenges, allowing CSOs to translate learning into real-world impact.
A Strategic Shift Toward Local Solutions
Youth-led and women-led CSOs are uniquely positioned to drive change. Their proximity to communities gives them:
- Deep contextual understanding
- Established trust networks
- Agility in responding to emerging issues
- Strong advocacy and accountability roles
By investing in these organisations, FCS and UNICEF are reinforcing a simple but powerful idea: lasting change is most effective when it is locally driven.
About the Partners
Foundation for Civil Society (FCS)
A leading grant-making organisation in Tanzania, FCS is dedicated to strengthening civil society by supporting grassroots, youth-led, and women-led organisations to become more effective, accountable, and sustainable.
UNICEF Tanzania
UNICEF works to uphold the rights of every child to survive, thrive, and reach their full potential. In Tanzania, the organisation partners with government and communities to deliver programmes across health, education, child protection, water and sanitation, and social protection.
Media Contact
Evangeline Sokile
Senior Project Officer, Foundation for Civil Society
📞 +255 743 139 262
✉️ esokile@thefoundation.or.tz
This initiative is more than a programme—it is a strategic investment in Tanzania’s future, where empowered local organisations become the driving force behind safer, healthier, and more inclusive communities.
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