The development activities, values and performance of non-governmental and faith-based organizations in Magu and Newala districts, Tanzania

Abstract

In Tanzania, a 'civil society sector' with roles in governance and development is a recent, largely externally-driven phenomenon superimposed on previously existing social and religious organization. Civil society organizations (CSOs) are imagined to be 'close to the poor' and therefore better at implementing 'development' activities and playing a role in democratization. This study examined the position and role of religious organizations within a wider range of CSOs at the local level in two rural districts (Magu, prosperous, largely Christian, and Newala, remote, poor, largely Muslim), to assess whether faith-based organizations play a significant and distinctive role in development.