Tanzania, UNDP allocate $2 million for environmental projects
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, as seen from the rooftop terrace of the Chelsea Hotel, with golden sunlight illuminating the cityscape. (Photo: VCG)
Tanzania and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have committed $2 million to support 49 community-led environmental projects expected to benefit 6,000 people across mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
Speaking at a grant signing ceremony in Dar es Salaam on Friday, Richard Muyungi, Permanent Secretary in the Vice President's Office, said the government had maintained its financial contribution despite declining international funding.
He said the decision was aimed at ensuring that communities continued to benefit from locally driven environmental initiatives.
Muyungi said community ownership was key to the sustainability of development projects, urging beneficiaries to ensure transparency, accountability and proper use of funds.
UNDP Resident Representative in Tanzania Shigeki Komatsubara said the 49 organizations had been selected from more than 800 applicants because of their strong grassroots connections and ability to translate local knowledge into practical environmental solutions.
The current country strategy, which runs until 2028, prioritizes the Serengeti ecosystem, central Tanzania, particularly Dodoma, and Zanzibar's Jozani ecosystem, while reserving 30 percent of resources for projects outside these areas, he added.