A decade of impact: Celebrating 10 years of the Tanzania Sustainable Development Platform and the role of civil society in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

When the global community adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, Tanzania didn’t just join in spirit but joined with purpose, ambition and partnership.

At the heart of our local response was the establishment of the Tanzania Sustainable Development Platform (TSDP), co-convened by the United Nations Association of Tanzania (UNA Tanzania) and the Africa Philanthropic Foundation (APF). Today, ten years later, TSDP stands as a living testimony to what can happen when commitment meets collaboration.

The power of platforming: Why TSDP exists

TSDP was born out of a bold vision: To localize the global goals, empower civil society organizations (CSOs), and create a structured space for non-state actors to engage in implementation, review and report of the SDGs.

Our mission was clear to coordinate, mobilize, and amplify the voices and efforts of CSOs so that their contributions to sustainable development are not only visible but impactful and aligned with national priorities.

In a development landscape where government-led efforts often dominate the narrative, TSDP has proven that transformative change is never a one-actor show. Our platform has given structure to what was a once scattered effort.

From grassroots movements in rural villages to national advocacy forums, TSDP has brought coherence, synergy, and power to civil society’s role in achieving the SDGs.

Since its inception, the TSDP has positioned itself as a leading national coordination hub for civil society engagement in sustainable development processes. It has successfully coordinated CSO participation in the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) in 2019 and 2023, providing critical shadow reports that offer an independent, people-centered lens on Tanzania’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Beyond Agenda 2030, TSDP also plays a strategic role in driving CSO alignment with Agenda 2063 Africa’s blueprint for inclusive growth and the East African Community (EAC) Vision 2050, which seeks to transform the region into a competitive, prosperous, and secure bloc.

At the national level, TSDP has been instrumental in mobilizing and coordinating CSO input into the implementation and monitoring of the Five-Year Development Plan III (FYDP III), and other national development priorities, including the blueprint for business reform, education sector reviews, and the development of Tanzania’s long-term Vision 2050.

These contributions are rooted in the Platform’s core mandate: to ensure that civil society voices are not just heard but integrated into planning, implementation, and accountability mechanisms at all levels.

Achievements that matter

Over the past decade, TSDP has grown into a vibrant, structured, and diverse community of over 300 registered organizations and affiliates working across Tanzania.

Key milestones include: Coordinated two National VNR CSO Reports: Since TSDP has led the develop ment of independent CSO Voluntary National Review (VNR) reports in 2019 and 2023, presenting shadow insights to complement the government’s official reporting.

These reports have become powerful advocacy tools and reference documents at both the national and international levels.

Youth Engagement in SDG Implementation: We’ve intentionally created spaces for 350+ youth-led organizations to lead, advocate, and participate in national processes most notably through consultations for the VNR, High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), and the Summit of the Future.

Through these efforts, over 50,000 youth across Tanzania have been meaningfully engaged, amplifying their voices in shaping sustainable development priorities.

Decentralizing the SDG agenda, through our regional coordinators, we’ve expanded engagement from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma, Mbeya, Mwanza, Arusha, and beyond ensuring the Agenda 2030 reaches the people it’s meant to serve.

Government collaboration, TSDP has nurtured strong working relationships with the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy and Coordination Division), the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and sector ministries.

Our inputs have shaped policy dialogues and national development strategies, creating meaningful state-CSO collaboration.

Why CSOs matter in the SDG story

Civil society in Tanzania is not a spectator in the development arena it’s an engine of change. From delivering services in hard to reach communities, raising awareness, holding leaders accountable, to pushing for rights-based development, CSOs are often the first to respond and the last to leave.

TSDP has been instrumental in shifting the perception of civil society from mere implementers to equal partners in development. Our platform has given CSOs not only a voice but also a seat at the table.

Way forward

As we look ahead, our focus is deepening impact. With just five years left to 2030, the race is against time but not against hope. TSDP is scaling its efforts to ensure that no voice is unheard, no region is untouched, and no one is left behind.

Judith Urio is a Coordinator of Tanzania Sustainable Development Platform, United Nations Association of Tanzania