CMI REPORT
DECENTRALISATION AND GENDER
R 2008: 9
The district has also received funding from Marie Stopes and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). It also receives funding from TASAF to help the implementation of community based initiatives. Relationship with NGOs Eleven NGOs are operating in the district, and most of them work on issues concerning orphans or the environment. The presence of NGOs is recognized by the district leadership and they are involved in various meetings, including technical committees. They are also invited to attend the Full Council Meetings, as observers. The activities of NGOs are included in the comprehensive District Development Plan. NGOs enjoy support of the leadership of the District Council and they are issued letters of introduction to all stakeholders and communities in the district. The District Development Programme (DDP) also provides funding to the NGOs, to enable them to implement their programme. Councillors and village leadership cooperate with NGOs at community level when they are implementing their programme activities. Two meetings between Councillors and NGOs were held in October 2006 and January 2007. The purpose of the meetings was to facilitate better coordination between councillors and NGOs operating in Serengeti district. NGOs in the district have started to organize themselves to form an NGO network to enable increased coordination. Relationship with religious institutions There is a good networking system in the district between the government and the religious organizations involved in social services. One example is the Community Based Health Promotion Program (CBHPP) of the Tanzania Mennonite Church in the Mara region. The CBHPP programme is integrated into the Serengeti District Council Plan. Relationship with the private sector Two prominent tourist institutions, the Grumeti Reserves (VIP tourist facility) and Serengeti National Park (SENAPA), are situated within Serengeti District. In 2002, the Grumeti Reserves established the Grumeti Fund, a non-profit organisation “established to operate community programs, concession area development and wildlife management efforts within Tanzania.�20 Grumeti Fund has supported the council with funds for schools and roads, as well as a contribution of Tshs. 85 million per year. SENAPA supports the villages around the park with funds for development projects such as construction of wells, schools and health facilities. Some of the people interviewed expressed their appreciations for the contributions given by the two institutions through the construction of wells, schools, health facilities, roads, creation of employment opportunities, monetary contributions to the district council, as well as revenues paid at national level. However, it was strongly felt that considering the huge amount of revenue generated by these institutions from the tourism industry, more financial resources could be contributed to the Serengeti District Council. There is limited negotiation skills/capacity at district level. Further more there should be increased transparency during the negotiations with such institutions.
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http://www.go2africa.com/tanzania/grumeti-reserves/eco-tourism.asp.
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