The role of civil society in decentralisation and alleviating poverty: an exploratory case study from Tanzania

In many developing countries decentralisation efforts have been planned and implemented as a means to improve service delivery to all citizens, to increase citizen participation, and to improve good governance at the sub-national level. However, until recently, poverty reduction has not been a central feature of decentralisation measures until recently.

Donors have begun to realise the importance and value of non-state actors in improving the effectiveness of the state in this area. This paper examines the relations between the concepts of decentralisation, poverty alleviation and civil society, and recent policy developments in the context of Tanzania.

The paper notes the following:

• Tanzania has a five level governance system including village, ward, district, region and central levels. In terms of developmental activities, the centre, the district and the village play the decisive roles in decision-making and implementing activities, whereas the ward and regional level mainly coordinate and to assure compliance with overall national strategies.
• The Tanzanian decentralisation process is based on the principle of 'decentralisation by devolution', meaning that power is being 'devolved' from central to decentralised levels of the political system and public administration.
• Generally, all representatives from the government and civil society organisations have stressed the fact that access to basic services has improved, although at a somewhat slower pace in rural areas. However, opinions differed on whether this was up to expectations and up to the desired quality standards.

The paper provides the following conclusions:

• The Local Governance Reform, together with the other steps of economic and political liberalisation, has fostered a new sense of responsibility and ownership at the local level. This has created a feeling of 'they know that they are equal' among participants in village, ward and district level planning.
• Transparency of governance and transparency of the cooperation between the government and civil society has steadily improved. Civil society is seen as a complementary partner for development activities and also its (critical) role as an oversight institution is accepted, as long as critical statements are supported by constructive recommendations.
• There is a broad consensus that the decentralisation efforts through the Local Government Reform Programmme, and through reforms in line ministries, have brought better services closer to poor people Yet, the deficiencies in quantity and quality of services in education, water, health and roads at local level are still enormous.