EU and Tanzanian Government Award Grants to NGOs to Implement the Integrated Approach to Sustainable Cooking Solutions Programme
Today, the European Union (EU) and the Government of Tanzania have awarded five grants to Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) as part of their commitment to environmental sustainability and climate action in Tanzania. The grants amounting to TZS 26.1 billion (EUR 9.92 million), are allocated under the EU-funded Integrated Approach to Sustainable Cooking Solutions Programme.
The recipients of each of these five grants are World Wide Fund for Nature, World Vision Tanzania, HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation, TaTEDO - Sustainable Energy Services Organization and Tanzania Forest Conservation Group. These NGOs will implement various projects across Tanzania focusing on sustainable forest management and wood-fuel production in rural areas with an overall aim of enhancing environmental sustainability, in particular the sustainability of the wood-fuel value chain.
The projects are expected to address challenges in fuel wood value chain, promoting reforestation, and enhancing sustainable charcoal production and biomass energy solutions.
The official grant signing ceremony was held at the Bank of Tanzania conference hall in Dar es Salaam. It was attended by officials from the EU Delegation to the United Republic of Tanzania and the East African Community and United Nations Capital Development Fund.
Representatives from the President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government Authorities, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, the Ministry of Energy, the Tanzania Forest Agency Services, Tanzania Revenue Authority and the Registrar of NGOs were also present.
“Unsustainable and inefficient production and use of charcoal for cooking has significant environmental, economic, and social impacts. The EU is committed to helping Tanzania tackle these challenges. Partnerships with government, development partners, private sector and non-government organizations are crucial in addressing challenges facing forest and cooking sectors” said Cedric Merel, EU Head of Cooperation.
The programme will reduce the amount of biomass used for wood-fuel, thereby leading to reduced Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from deforestation and forest degradation which is a major contribution to the Government of Tanzania in meeting its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) commitments, added Mr. Merel.
Ms. Amina Shaaban, Deputy Permanent Secretary on behalf of Dr. Natu Mwamba, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance Tanzania said, “…The European Union has been among the key supporters of Tanzania's development journey. This grant not only signifies financial support EU has extended to Tanzania, but also fosters a sense of partnership, collaboration, and shared values between the two parties. It highlights the belief that by working together, we can address the most pressing challenges of our time.”
She also added, “…on behalf of the Ministry of Finance as the contracting authority in the five grant contracts signed today, I wish to re-affirm our commitments towards successfully implementation of the contracts. On that note, I urge all beneficiaries to implement these contracts in accordance with the agreed terms and conditions; and should make the best use of the locally available human resources in the projects’ areas to enhance ownership and sustainability of the projects.”