In October 2018, a number of Tanzanian CSOs convened a weeklong, multi- stakeholder event dubbed “CSO Week 2018”. More than 400 CSOs from across the country attended the event, where they engaged in in-depth discussions about their work, shared experiences, and formed strategic partnerships.

At a time of strained relations between CSOs and the government, the event provided a fantastic entrance point for constructive engagement with various government bodies. Several deliberative issues were raised at the event, the most significant of which was a request for the two parties to establish a consultative framework in order to strengthen their partnership for the benefit of national development.

Since then, the sectoral group that organized the CSO Week made the strategic choice to make it an annual event, recognizing its significance as a platform for comprehensive and periodic engagement among CSOs themselves and between CSOs and the government as well as other development stakeholders.