September 2025: TGNP supported Knowledge Centers in Kigoma by conducting a series of community dialogues and capacity-building sessions between September 3 and 7, 2025. The initiative aimed to strengthen community-led initiatives and Knowledge Centers (KCs) in the Kigoma region of Tanzania by providing skills and knowledge so that KC members are better able to document, share, and use information about their activities more effectively for advocacy, community engagement, and the reduction of gender-based violence.
The 43 participants (29 women, 14 men) included KC members, local government authorities (LGAs), and members of the media. The workshop facilitators provided crucial skills for effective community leadership including:
- Strengthening Advocacy: Learning how to identify, organise and present key community issues, including achievements and challenges, to effect change.
- Improving Reporting: Mastering simple and effective techniques for record-keeping and report writing to support monitoring, evaluation, and advocacy efforts.
- Fostering Collaboration: Building stronger partnerships between KCs and local government leaders to address community challenges together.
- Documenting Impact: Capturing success stories through interviews, voice recordings, and other methods to show the real-world results of their work.
COMMUNITY VOICES
The workshop sessions provided an opportunity for KC members to share the remarkable impact they are making in their communities, sharing powerful stories of transformation.
Restoring Rights for Children with Disabilities: “In the past, children with disabilities were often hidden by their parents; they weren’t allowed to go to school or participate in any activities. The members of the Knowledge Center raised awareness about the rights of children with disabilities and worked closely with local leaders. Today, we are proud that these children are attending school, and a new school specifically for them is under construction. It shows that our efforts are truly changing lives.” —Elida Luge, Chairperson of Murufiti Knowledge Center.
Women Take Control of their Economic Futures: “Before joining the KC, I didn’t know my rights as a woman. My husband controlled all the income and I felt trapped. After becoming a member, the KC made me aware of my rights and taught me how to fully participate in economic activities. Now, he recognises the value of my efforts—he involves me in financial decisions and we share the benefits together.” —Leakodia Nkomezi Kivwanzi, Chairperson of Nyansha Knowledge Center.
Building Partnerships, Securing Funds: “Our partnership with local government has been a game-changer. We worked with them to register our Community-Based Organization, which has now evolved into an NGO. This was a critical step because it opened the door for us to secure funding for a project now supported by the Global Affairs Canada (GAC). This partnership has been essential in ensuring our work thrives and creates lasting positive change.” —Adofina Yotham Balibutsa, Nyansha Knowledge Center.
Women in Leadership: “I am proud of the work TGNP has done to encourage women to take on leadership roles. Through the workshops, I gained the confidence and knowledge to serve my community, and I am happy to say that I am now the chairperson of my street.” —Workshop participant from Ruhita Ward.
Women and Land Ownership: “Today, in our ward, women are able to own land just like men. This was not the case before, but through the efforts of the Knowledge Center, awareness has increased, and women are now recognized as rightful landowners.”—Workshop participant from Titye Knowledge Center.
the work accomplished by the local Knowledge Centre, September 2025, Kasulu, Kigoma.
ADDRESSING CHALLENGES
While the successes are impressive, participants also openly discussed the challenges they face and highlighted some major obstacles:
- Resource Constraints: KCs often lack essential resources like reliable transport, smartphones for timely reporting, and steady financial contributions from members.
- Limited Cooperation: Some KCs face a lack of cooperation from local leaders, which hinders their work and community trust.
- Logistical Barriers: The absence of TGNP-supported dialogues, a decrease in volunteers, and the burden of providing evidence in legal cases.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A PATH FORWARD
In response to the challenges, the participants provided these recommendations:
- Capacity Building: Provide regular training on how to respond to gender-based violence, documenting and monitoring activities, and advocacy.
- Resource Support: Provide KCs with the resources for transport, smartphones, and office facilities to improve reporting and outreach.
- Institutionalise Partnerships: Formalise collaboration frameworks between KC members, local authorities, police, and the judiciary to ensure effective case management.
- Expand Community Awareness: Conduct targeted campaigns to reduce stigma related to violence and encourage grassroots participation.
- Promote Peer Learning: Facilitate learning visits among KCs to scale up best practices and share successes.
The session in Kigoma was a powerful reminder that empowering communities is a continuous journey. By building the capacity of KC members and fostering collaboration among KCs and community leadership, TGNP is helping to create a foundation for lasting change, driven by the people who know their communities best.
