Dynamics of community participation in poverty reduction in Tanzania

This study examines the dynamics of community participation in poverty reduction in Mbinga District. The specific objectives of this study were to investigate community awareness on existing development policies and their position towards policy formulation and adoption; and to assess the influence of socio-economic factors on levels of participation in the community. The study was accomplished through face-to- face interviews, questionnaires and focus group discussions. Two villages in Mbinga District were selected namely: Ngindo and Litembo in Lipingo and Litembo wards, respectively. The findings of the study indicate that there is low level of awareness of the community in the existing development policies. Secondly, the study reveals that community participation was limited to information giving and consultation. Community participation in the decision-making processes was lacking. This study also revealed that a range of background factors, including socio-economic status, gender, and age affect the dynamics of participation in the community. These findings suggest that community participation tends to be dominated by a small group of wealthy and powerful who come to effectively own the community development interventions. However, this study observes that community participation has the potential to remake our system of governance in a more democratic image and reduce poverty. Based on the research findings and observations the study recommends that too much focus on creating new spaces for participation may not be a way of empowering the poor than providing adequate social protection, better livelihoods opportunities and access to basic services.