DSW Tanzania through its youth development training centre and capacity development projects conducts capacity strengthening interventions for CSOs. One of the projects dubbed SLALE recently organized a midterm review workshop for partners supported by DSW through foundational training and mentoring. The project focuses on strengthening capacity of youth led and youth serving CSOs to be able to have effective youth programming and coordinated advocacy efforts on RH/FP. In the workshop partners shared Project implementation status and lessons learnt. Partners’ project designs revolve around themes on prevention of teenage pregnancies and promoting provision of Youth Friendly Services (YFS). The project has also facilitated training that strengthened the capacity of CSOs in leadership and management, governance and organizational development. The capacity acquired has enabled CSOs to strengthen effectiveness in project implementation which aligns with government priorities and contributes to national action plans. Partners’ anecdotal statements show improved organizational systems and also change in the communities being served.
DOYODO representative, Charles doing a presentation
During the workshop, DSW supported and signed the second phase of sub grants with partners Red cross Tanzania, GRAMBAH Health Charity, HIMD and YWCA Tanzania for them to implement projects on RH/FP advocacy. The other core partners who continue implementing projects through sub grants from DSW are KIVULINI and DOYODO. According to DOYODO Executive Director Rajabu Suleiman, DSW has facilitated their organization to grow from a small CBO to a strong National NGO that support youth in Dodoma region. Their internal systems as well as youth advocacy work has greatly improved after DSW Capacity strengthening interventions. They have helped to change lives of youth as well as service provision. Rajab states “…..the network we have established in Dodoma has enabled us to advocate for reduction of teenage pregnancy by working closely with the government at different levels. We work as a team and ensure enough budgets are allocated for provision of YFS within health facilities in Dodoma city”.
Irene Austin presenting for KIVULINI
KIVULINI has been using youth champions and media to advocate for the reduction of SGBV within the Mwanza region. “We have succeeded in delivering messages to different target groups in the community, after the training of journalists and youth champions we have been able to reach out to the community and advocate for reduction of SGBV which lead to teenage pregnancy…” said Irene Austin, KIVULINI Project Officer.
DSW Project Officer, Hellen Paschal emphasized on the importance of partners to advocate for the prioritization of Youth Friendly Services budget within their target districts as well as program implementation to comply with National Frameworks and Policies related to RH/FP.
DSW Country Director Peter Owaga facilitating the Leadership and Governance session
The workshop participants who comprised the leadership and management representatives were also oriented on organizational development sessions including leadership and governance, strategic planning, financial management, compliance and networking. The youth partner CSOs work in the regions of Arusha, Mwanza, Shinyanga and Dar es salaam.
