Why CSOs have key role in East African integration

Arusha. The key role of civil society organisations (CSOs) in the East African Community (EAC) integration process was on Tuesday firmly in focus during a CSO Week 2024 session in Arusha.

Moderated by the European Union programme manager for civil society in Tanzania, Ms Neema Bwaira, the session discussed the roles, challenges and opportunities for CSOs and offered suggestions for enhancing their participation in shaping the regional integration agenda.

The panel featured distinguished speakers, including Head of Economics and Governance at the European Union in Tanzania Karina Dzialowska; Programme Assistant at the EAC Secretariat Morris Tayebwa; Component Lead for Organisation Development and Outreach at the GIZ-EAC Programme Marius Weist and Executive Director of the East African Civil Society Organizations Forum (EACSOF) Lilian Alex Kimaro.

Their insights collectively addressed the multifaceted role of CSOs in the EAC integration process.

The discussion began with an examination of CSOs' contributions to policy formulation within the EAC.

Historically, CSOs have played a crucial role in influencing policy on economic integration, governance and human rights through their collaboration with institutions like the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala).

Despite CSOs' significant contributions, the panellists observed that their engagement has not always been fully optimised, particularly at the regional level.

For the EAC integration process to be genuinely inclusive, it is essential to involve a wider range of civil society actors who can effectively represent citizens' voices and advocate for their needs in regional policymaking.

A major theme of the discussion was the shrinking civic space, a challenge that has increasingly impacted CSOs at both national and regional levels.

As the podcast session neared its end, Ms Kimaro said many civil society organisations have experienced a decrease in their capacity for meaningful dialogue and advocacy due to restrictive political environments and reduced funding opportunities.

The Covid-19 pandemic further exacerbated these challenges by halting many CSO activities and limiting their ability to engage with policymakers.

The panellists agreed that revitalising CSO engagement is crucial to maintaining a people-centred approach in the EAC integration process.

To address these challenges, the panel explored various opportunities for CSOs to enhance their involvement in the regional integration process.

One significant initiative discussed was the CSO Summit, an annual event designed to gather CSOs to discuss emerging issues, share best practices and collaborate on regional advocacy efforts.

The CSO Summit has become an essential platform for civil society actors across the region to exchange ideas and strategise on influencing regional policies.

The panel also underscored the importance of building partnerships with regional and international bodies such as the European Union and the German Development Agency (GIZ).

These partnerships are aimed at raising awareness about opportunities within the EAC integration process and providing critical support for CSOs, particularly in terms of capacity building and funding.

Looking ahead, the panellists offered several recommendations to improve CSO participation in the EAC integration process.

They emphasised the need for CSOs to strengthen their networks and coordination at the national level, citing national consultations like Tanzania’s CSO Week as crucial platforms for aligning civil society objectives with EAC goals.

Capacity building, particularly for women and youth-led organisations, was also highlighted as essential to ensure effective engagement in regional policy discussions.

In the same vein, the panellists called for continued collaboration between CSOs, regional bodies, and international partners to ensure that civil society voices are heard in the EAC integration process.

For his part, Mr Weist noted that the Lifted Project would provide significant support for CSO engagement, including funding opportunities for innovative projects addressing key regional issues.

Combined with platforms such as the SDG Forum and the CSO Summit, these initiatives will provide civil society organisations with the resources and visibility needed to actively shape the region’s future.