Advancing Local Leadership for Nutrition Budget Advocacy in Tanzania

Advancing civil society capacity for improved nutrition financing and accountability

Efforts to improve nutrition outcomes increasingly depend on strong, locally led advocacy to influence policies, planning and resource allocation. In Tanzania, civil society organisations (CSOs) play a critical role in ensuring that nutrition remains a priority across government systems—from grassroots to national level. However, gaps in technical knowledge around advocacy, budgeting processes and engagement with decision-makers can limit their effectiveness.

To address these challenges, the Global Nutrition Cluster (GNC), with support from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and in collaboration with ACF Tanzania, is advancing its localisation agenda by strengthening the capacity of local and national actors (LNAs) to engage in nutrition advocacy and coordination.

As part of this effort, Martha Nakakande (Programme Advisor – Wasting, GNC Technical Support Team) and Tumaini Mikindo (Nutrition Advocacy Strategy Development Training Consultant, GNC) facilitated a five-day Nutrition Budget Advocacy training in Dodoma, Tanzania, from 18th –22nd May 2026.

About the Training

The training brought together participants from four selected CSOs operating in Dodoma and Singida regions. It aimed to strengthen their capacity to analyse nutrition financing, develop advocacy strategies and effectively engage decision-makers across different administrative levels.

The sessions combined technical instruction with practical, hands-on learning. Over five days, participants progressed from foundational concepts, such as understanding advocacy principles and the nutrition situation in Tanzania to more advanced topics including budget analysis, policy mapping, coalition-building and monitoring and accountability.

Key areas of focus included:

• Understanding the national and local nutrition landscape and its policy context
• Analysing government budgeting cycles and nutrition financing gaps
• Developing clear and targeted advocacy messages
• Building and sustaining coalitions to influence decision-making
• Strengthening monitoring, evaluation and accountability mechanisms

A strong emphasis was placed on linking technical knowledge to real-world application. Participants engaged with government representatives and explored practical tools such as stakeholder mapping, budget tracking and advocacy planning. The training culminated in each CSO developing a tailored advocacy action plan aligned with their operational context.

Local Engagement and Collaboration

The training benefitted from the active involvement of government stakeholders, including Goefrey Chiduo from the Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC) and Dalushi January, Senior Nutritionist from the Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG). Their contributions ensured that discussions were grounded in national systems and realities, particularly around planning, budgeting and domestic resource mobilisation for nutrition.

This engagement reflects the GNC’s commitment to fostering stronger collaboration between civil society and government counterparts to drive sustainable nutrition outcomes.

Outcomes and Reflections

Feedback from participants highlighted the practical value of the training. There was strong appreciation for the clarity provided in understanding what effective advocacy entails and how it can be applied in the nutrition sector. 

Participants reported increased confidence in their ability to:

• Engage leaders and decision-makers at grassroots, district and regional levels
• Analyse and influence nutrition budgets
• Translate technical evidence into compelling advocacy messages

The development of CSO-specific action plans represents an important step towards translating knowledge into action. These plans will guide participants as they work to influence nutrition priorities, strengthen accountability and mobilise resources within their respective regions.

Looking Ahead

Building on this training, the GNC and partners will continue to support CSOs in implementing their advocacy plans and strengthening their role within national and sub-national nutrition coordination structures. This work contributes to broader efforts under the GNC localisation agenda to ensure that local actors are equipped, resourced and empowered to lead durable, context-specific nutrition responses.

By strengthening advocacy capacity at the local level, this initiative is helping to ensure that nutrition remains a priority in planning and budgeting processes—ultimately contributing to improved outcomes for vulnerable populations across Tanzania.