Introduction into National Activities

Despite Tanzania's recent economic success and a democratic environment, many challenges remain. Among these are the unequal distribution of in­come and opportunities and a great power divide between elites and the majority of the population. Consequently, there is a necessity to promote not only economic but also social and democratic development as well as regional and international co-operation. The FES and its partners – govern­mental, non-governmental and international institutions – work together to achieve development in all of these fields.

Tanzania is a lively democracy with an established multi-party system. In civil society, however, vertical structures and a bureaucratic understanding of political life often persist. To further develop democracy, Tanzania needs im­pulses from a functioning and in itself democratically structured civil society. The FES supports the Tanzanian civil society in the democratic process, for example through the promotion of social partnership and functioning labour relations as well as the promotion of young leaders as agents of democratic and social change.

The functioning of democratic political parties in both government and oppo­sition roles is a crucial point for any democracy. The FES offers exchange of experience on political party work and an international programmatic dis­course on social and democratic issues. Another important area of activities of FES is the prevention of violent political conflicts through co-operation of civil society actors and the support of peaceful solutions, tolerance and un­derstanding in politic life.