Empowering Tanga’s Youth: The OurCity Initiative’s Transformative Impact

Welcome to the Tanga Yetu Initiative

Tanga is one of the selected cities under the ‘OurCity Initiative’ funded by Fondation Botnar, a Swiss philanthropic foundation working to improve the health and wellbeing of young people living in cities worldwide. The ‘OurCity’ initiative is one of Fondation Botnar’s key initiatives, aiming to support selected cities around the world to implement coordinated programs that leverage digital technologies and artificial intelligence to transform them into places where young people’s wellbeing and opportunity is secured.

The current objective of the Tanga Yetu initiative is to build a culture of evidence-informed decision-making, improve the access and quality of social services, and promote economic empowerment among the youth. Fondation Botnar recognizes that despite the increased commitments made by global and local actors in line with Sustainable Development Goal 11 — to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable — the majority of the world’s urban development fails to address problems caused by inadequate infrastructure, urban poverty, and social exclusion.

The initiative collaborates with young people, civil society, policymakers, innovators, and other city champions to nurture wellbeing and opportunity for all. Currently, the ‘OurCity Initiative’ is being implemented in five cities: Barranquilla in Colombia, Cluj-Napoca in Romania, Koforidua in Ghana, Manta in Ecuador, and Tanga in Tanzania.

Tanga is Tanzania’s most northern port city near the Kenyan border and sits on the Indian Ocean, with its harbor being the center of life. As Tanga seeks to become an engine of economic growth for Tanzania, it is expected to rapidly grow over the coming years. Fondation Botnar is seizing this opportunity to collaborate with the city through youth-targeted projects.

Objectives and Impact of the TangaYetu Initiative

‘OurCity Initiative’ is being implemented through the ‘TangaYetu Initiative’, which supports the city of Tanga in its efforts to transform into a young people-centred city by working in partnership with children and youth to improve their health and wellbeing. The initiative mainly seeks to improve access to quality social services such as health, education, and social welfare, and to increase the use of data/information technology to empower youth in Tanzania to work virtually. It also promotes skills development, innovation and entrepreneurship and strengthens the capacity of Tanga City Council to deliver services.

The initiative also seeks to build resilient urban systems, strengthen accountability, and ensure modern infrastructure such as open spaces, road safety in cities to advance the well-being of children and youth. Skills transfer and job creation is a key aspect that is geared to ensure that youth in the city register increased incomes.

Governance Structure of Tanga Yetu Initiative

‘TangaYetu Initiative’ is managed under the guidance and leadership of a steering committee. The committee gives strategic direction to the programme and supports both the fund manager and the secretariat backbone organization in the implementation of activities. The Secretariat Backbone Organization provides management and technical support to the city of Tanga and local partners in program implementation, alongside facilitating and coordinating a multispectral approach in ensuring that Tanga is becoming a child and youth-friendly city.

The fund manager provides effective, transparent, and efficient management of programme funds on behalf of Fondation Botnar. The implementing partners, including the Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF) — a policy research tank — as the secretariat backbone organization, and Innovex as fund manager, work closely with the country representative of Fondation Botnar in Tanzania, who manages linkages and synergies across a portfolio of projects.

In the implementation of the TangaYetu Initiative, Fondation Botnar partners with ProjektInspire, Tanzania Data Lab, Robotech, Tanzania Bora Initiative, PATH, and Tanzania Data Lab. Other partners include Ardhi University (ARU), the Scort Foundation, Africa Research Implementation Science and Education (ARISE), Swiss Science Center Technorama, Innovex, ESRF, Amend, Uhurulabs, among others.

Collectively, the projects implemented under TangaYetu Initiative have realized numerous gains which have improved the well-being of young people in Tanga City. There is enhanced safety and security as children and adolescents in Tanga City are protected from abuse, neglect, and harm. Most importantly, there is increased awareness as children now know how to keep themselves safe, and understand who to go to for help. This was made possible after the implementation of the project on “Combating All Forms of Violence Against Children and Adolescents in Tanga City.” The project has also created and increased happiness levels especially to the secondary and primary school learners who are now using tables, chairs, and desks provided to them by the ‘TangaYetu Initiative’.

Learners can now study in dignity as they sit at their own desk—comfortable, listen to their teachers, and attend their day-to-day duties at schools. This has improved school attendance and students’ performance, and reduced dropout rates. The project will help young people in Tanga City grow up educated, and contributing members of their society.

‘TangaYetu Initiative’ has created employment and improved the living conditions of young people and their families especially youth who were empowered and benefitted through the Fisheries Project, Mindset Change Project, and the Poultry Project. The projects have collaborated, engaged, and capacitated staff from Tanga City Council at all levels. The staff were engaged in the implementation of the completed and ongoing projects.

The purpose of linking the staff from the city council with the implementers was to ensure the city’s ownership of the project. Having learnt from the implementers, the staff are now able to monitor and follow implementation processes to ensure the sustainability of the projects.

Transforming Tanga City for Young People

TangaYetu is Transforming Tanga City into A Place Where Young People’s Well-being and Opportunity is Secured FONDATION BOTNAR ‘TANGAYETU INITIATIVE’ TRANSFORMS TANGA INTO A YOUNG PEOPLE CENTRED CITY WHERE THEY CAN WORK, PLAY AND THRIVE

How ‘TangaYetu’ is improving the wellbeing of young people

OurCity is one of Fondation Botnar’s key initiatives, aiming to support selected cities around the world to implement coordinated programs that leverage digital technologies and artificial intelligence, and transform them into places where young people’s wellbeing and opportunity is secured.

The Tanga Yetu Observatory

Tanga is the only city in Africa with an observatory, the Tanga Yetu Observatory which is certified by UN-Habitat. The Tanga Yetu Observatory is an online data portal of maps, analysis tools, products, data use case studies, and other resources to support data governance, management, exchange, and use. The initiative promotes a data-driven culture in Tanga, through the Living Lab Initiative which trains youth and students on the digitization of data to capacity build decision-making in city departments. The usage of Geographical Information System (GIS) as a decision-making data tool for city departments can help in timely interventions and on-time problem-solving. Living Lab Initiative is implementing the project; “Transformation of Tanga City environment for productive development of Youth and Adolescents Health and Wellbeing” through the use of frontier technology and partnerships. With its powerful capacity for spatial data management, spatial analysis, and visualization, GIS provides planners with new tools to implement their work more efficiently. The Living Lab Initiative which is funded by Foundation Botnar under OurCities Initiative through TangaYetu programme is implemented by Ardhi University in collaboration with Tanzania Datalab and Tanga City Council.

One of the beneficiaries from the project on ‘Empowering youth in Poultry Value Chain for Sustainable Livelihood’ feeding chicks at the center for Youth Economic Empowerment at Tumbilini/Neema, Tanga City Council Dr. Hassan Mshinda (Fondation Botnar Country Representative, Tanzania) explaining key issues about the Tanzania Open Innovation Project to the Tanga Regional Commissioner during his visit to the project A group of youth beneficiaries of the project on ‘Empowering youth in Poultry Value Chain for Sustainable Livelihood’ listening to the instructor during the training on chicken brooding TANGAYETU INITIATIVE’ 113,707 – the total population reached by the TangaYetu Initiative, 80 per cent of them being children, adolescents and youth.

The Tanga City socio-economic ecosystem is evolving as adolescents and youth adopt modern ways of accessing social services such as education, health, and transport, while leveraging on technology and innovation for jobs and livelihoods. Working with partners, Fondation Botnar has implemented various projects, which are transforming Tanga into a modern city where especially children and young people can access opportunities almost at par with the rest of the world.

Projects Making a Difference

Mindset Change and Entrepreneurship PROJECT

The project to impart entrepreneurship skills and change of mindset among the young people in Tanga City seeks to improve the livelihoods of 1,036 youth. After the ‘Grow Leadership’ training, 77 per cent of youth involved in the midline survey indicated that they had either started a new business, secured employment, or continued with studies. Also, 17 Youth Savings and Loans Associations (YSLAs) were formed which until the final report had saved a total of TSh13,246,000.

Combating all Forms of Violence Against Children and Adolescents PROJECT

The project aims at preventing and combating all forms of violence against children and adolescents (VACA) and to improve the city’s response to VACA. Another aim is to increase community awareness and knowledge on the effects of VACA, while establishing and strengthening community systems to respond to VACA. The project targets to change and eliminate the social and cultural beliefs, attitudes, and practices that perpetuate violence. The project has reached 75,795 children and students, far exceeding the set target of 10,000 children. A record 104 school clubs have been formed against the projected target of 15. There have been 36 community advocacy and sensitization campaigns targeting parents, guardians, and local leaders. The campaigns helped save 12 children aged between 11 and 16, who had been employed within Tanga, and were reunited with their families in Lushoto district.

Youth Digital Skills for Employment PROJECT

The project is focused on equipping youth with digital literacy skills that will enable them to interact online and secure jobs from virtual platforms. An estimated 100 youth were involved in the program. 46 youth out of 50 who attended the virtual sessions have managed to secure online gigs, micro work, and short-term monthly job opportunities with brands like Tigo Tanzania, and Nelwa’s Gelato etc. Until June 2022, youth have collectively earned a total of over TSh10 million

Transformation of Tanga City Environment for Health and Productive Development of Children and ADOLESCENTS

The project aims at improving the use of technologies for data collection for city development. Students and youth from Tanga are trained on using frontier technologies to monitor and improve solid waste management and city safety mapping. The project is led by Tanzania Data Lab and Ardhi University (ARU).

Enhancing Learning Outcomes for Primary School Students

The project sought to improve performance of primary school students in Tanga City Council, enhance their learning skills, strengthen learning delivery, and increase the engagement of parents and community in education. Over 20,000 students, 500 teachers, and over 500 parents and community members were reached. A total of 2,081 students from 20 schools were assessed, and 473 of them – 23 per cent – who could not pass at the basic level in literacy skills were enrolled into the program. After the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) training, 377 of them graduated, 81 per cent success rate. The City Council used the trainers who were trained by the project consultant to train other teachers so that they can replicate the TaRL approach because of its success. Many parents have given testimonies of how TaRL has helped their children improve their learning outcomes.

Empowering Youth in Poultry Value Chain for Sustainable Livelihood

The overall objective of the project is to create five groups of youth champions in the poultry sub-sector. Out of the 50 youths involved, 49 completed the program and gained skills on how to run their own poultry businesses and provide extension services to other poultry farmers. The project organized the exchange visit in collaboration with ILRI and CALA (AGRA). A total of 110 brooders and small holder farmers were brought to Tanga from Kilimanjaro, Lindi, and Mtwara to learn and open up an opportunity for trading with the youths from these regions The total profit or savings per group out of the invested capital and monthly allowance ranged between TSh5 million and TSh6 million, which is about TSh30 million in total.

Youth Economic Empowerment Through Fisheries

The project is executed under six components namely: Crab Fattening, Seaweed and Sea cucumber Farming, Solar tent drying for sardines, Fresh water Fish Farming, Long line fishing by using Fiber Boats, and Shrimp and Crab Hatchery Youth who benefited with the fiber boats have saved over TSh7,000,000 through their groups’ bank accounts. Four women groups have earned TSh9,618,000 for selling the seaweed, while youth have earned TSh2,000,000 for selling crabs

Youth Economic Empowerment Through Agribusiness

The project seeks to increase incomes of young small-scale horticultural farmers through increased produce and enhanced marketing. It also seeks to build entrepreneurship capacity for 100 youth from Tanga City Council. Of the 50 youth, 47 underwent training on commercial horticulture, and are currently producing various fruits and vegetables. Collectively, they have earned over TSh 109 million from sales. Four youth groups have been formed and registered, while many residents in Tanga City have visited the project to learn. Many extension officers from the city council participated in the implementation of the project which enhanced their ability to implement the project without a Consultant. Apart from Tanga, the project attracted markets from Mombasa, Zanzibar, and Dar es Salaam.

Redevelopment of the Jamhuri Park

The project seeks to redevelop Jamhuri Park to serve as a recreation center for young people and families in Tanga City. The project will benefit 50 youths who will be given a space to run small businesses at the park. The co-creation design approach that was used to design the Jamhuri Park project was also replicated in the designing of Machingas’s markets in different regions including Dodoma, Arusha, Tunduma, and Mwanza

The project attracted invitations to the national forum including the environment week in Mwanza with the vice president as the guest of honor. The forum came with some of the resolution in which one of the resolution was the development of beach plots master plan.

Over 10 service providers stand to benefit from the infrastructure established at the park which automatically will increase the City’s revenue and attract more people from Tanga City to visit the park.

Redevelopment of Raskazone Bath Club Public Space

The project seeks to redevelop Raskazone Bath Club Public Space as a recreation center for families in Tanga City. It is envisaged that the project will open opportunities for youth to engage in business as well as recreation and finally improve their livelihoods and health.

STEM Park

This initiative, coordinated by Projekt Inspire, aims at inspiring and encouraging young people in Tanzania to use Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) to solve challenges in their city by coming up with different innovations.

Tanzania Open Innovation Organization

The project is led by Robotech Labs which is a maker space and provides a hands-on learning experience for young innovators. Innovators have gained technical and soft skills to translate ideas and ventures into real projects. Some of the achievements of this project include; Prototyping of several products including; e-mobility for people with disabilities with the scope of growing it towards local assembly, patient alert system, low-cost incubator for chicken. The Ministry of Science and Technology developed an interest in e-mobility for people with disability, The project has also trained students from Tanga Technical School and other community members on the 21st Century technological skills.

ROAD SAFETY CITY PROJECT

The project seeks to provide safer spaces and roads near schools in Tanga. The project is implemented by AMEND in collaboration with Tanga City Council, Police, and Tanzania Rural Road Agency (TARURA).

Some of the achievements are; the implementation of Kids’ Court at five primary schools The creation of Safe School Zones around eleven schools, with infrastructure improvements including footpaths, a pedestrian footbridge, road signs, speed humps, rumble strips, zebra crossings, and etc. Motorcycle rider training for over 900 motorcycle, taxi riders, with involvement of the Traffic Police and motorcycle-taxi association leaders

ARISE Adolescent Health Survey

The project, which the African Academy for Public Health supports, seeks to capture longitudinal data on adolescent health risks, behaviors, and outcomes to inform interventions and policies, which is lacking in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) in sub-Saharan Africa. To address this knowledge gap, the Africa Research, Implementation Science, and Education (ARISE) Network developed and implemented an instrument to collect key adolescent health indicators in seven LMICs, among them Tanzania. The project in Tanga City assessed novel ways of engaging adolescents using digital technologies, in order to facilitate high-quality data collection and reduce costs.

Supplying Tables, Chairs, and desks to PRIMARY SCHOOLS, AND Secondary Schools in Tanga City Council to Improve Learning Environment

Both projects involved the supply of desks to primary and secondary schools in Tanga City Council to improve the learning environment. The project on supply of desks to primary schools has benefitted 12,270 pupils while the project on supply of chairs and tables to secondary schools has benefitted more than 3,846 students in Tanga City. The desks were made by local carpenters in Tanga, thus providing much-needed employment. An estimated 152 local carpenters who included 113 youth, 10 among them living with various disabilities benefited. Both projects have increased class attendance, and learner concentration levels. Teachers have reported that the students are happy and comfortable.

Innovative projects changing the lives of youth in Tanga

Youth who benefited with the fiber boats have saved over TSh7,000,000 through their groups’ bank accounts. Four women groups have earned TSh9,618,000 for selling the seaweed, while youth have earned TSh2,000,000 for selling crabs.