After thirty years of socialism, Tanzania’s transition to democracy has not been smooth. Since the first democratic elections in 1995, the balance of power has favored the executive branch, civil society has not yet emerged to its full strength, and the government has continued to consist primarily of one party.

Tanzanian citizens do not fully participate in their own governance though it is a basic right guaranteed by the Tanzanian Constitution. Tanzanian civil society organizations (CSOs) also lack the capacity to effectively understand and articulate the needs of their constituencies to the government.

Through training and assistance focused on organizational development and advocacy, CSOs are beginning to have a more influential role in Tanzania’s transition to a free and fair democratic society. As part of its efforts to ensure citizen participation in public affairs, USAID funded a project administered by PACT to compile accurate and easy-to-understand information on the public policy making process in Tanzania. This information was published as user-friendly guides on how CSOs and citizens can influence government policy making.

USAID’s program has spearheaded the effort to educate Tanzanian citizens on how to participate in governance. The publication - Legislative Roadmaps: A Guide for Civil Society Organizations in Tanzania - provides an overview of Tanzanian law, public policy, and legal as well as institutional structures of the government.

The Guide defines law and public policies as well as identifies their sources, and explains how they are made. The Guide also provides information on how CSOs can use the information to influence change, and identify the ways for civil society to express their needs based on the existing government structures. Printed in basic English and Kiswahili, the Guide contains diagrams and a glossary of terms to make it comprehensible and user-friendly.

The Good Governance Coordination Unit in the Office of the President in Tanzania has requested copies of the Guide to use in its civic education programs as has the Ministry of Education for use in secondary school civics courses. Other organizations report that having the information available in such an easy to use format has stimulated activism by many CSOs. The Guide has also been featured on television and in major English and Kiswahili dailies.