Strengthening the voice of the poor: faith-based organizations' engagement in policy consultation processes in Nigeria and Tanzania

Abstract

Locally owned Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSPs) processes are now well established in many countries. They provide greater opportunities for wider participation than traditional approaches to policy making and have to some extent been adapted to local circumstances and integrated with national planning and resource allocation processes. Despite a number of concerns, in a number of countries the ongoing process of PRSP monitoring and review has widened the political space for deliberation and the scope of poor people (or civil society organizations that purport to represent their views) to influence policy and resource allocation. However, despite their organizational strength, legitimacy and grassroots membership, religious organizations in Tanzania and Nigeria have been little involved in such policy consultation processes.Drawing on a number of interviews with various religious and civil society respondents this paper explores the reasons for such neglect. It moves then to detail findings from a number of pilot projects carried out by the RaD programme with networks of religious organizations in Nigeria and Tanzania.