C-Sema Hosts SIDA for a Collaborative Learning Exchange Meeting.
On 4th November 2026 in Dar-es-salaam, what was initially planned as a 30-minute introduction turned into a two-hour conversation about the realities of working with children, young people and communities in Tanzania.
C-Sema hosted a collaborative learning visit with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), creating an opportunity to exchange perspectives on C-Sema's work, explore the implementation of the SIDA -funded Voices for Change: Empowering Youth and Civil Society for Inclusive Prevention and Reintegration project, and reflect on the broader social issues affecting children, young people and families across the country.
Joining the visit were Deeqa Odaway, Programme Officer, and Henrik Riby, Head of Unit, both from Sida's Unit for Civil Society, Department for Global Operations.
What began as an opportunity to introduce C-Sema's work soon developed into a much broader conversation about the interconnected challenges facing Tanzanian communities. Discussions explored mental health, online safety, substance use disorders (SUD), Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and child protection, alongside the social and behavioural factors that influence how these issues manifest within communities.
An important part of the conversation centred on behavioural change and the influence of social norms, values and mindsets on individual and community behaviour. Many of the challenges affecting children and young people are closely connected to deeply rooted beliefs and practices within families and communities. Parenting approaches, for example, are often shaped by what adults themselves experienced growing up, as well as the social norms and values that govern their way of life. This means that addressing harmful practices requires more than awareness campaigns or interventions that focus only on the immediate problem.
The discussion reflected on the importance of creating opportunities for communities to examine these beliefs, engage in meaningful dialogue and become active participants in shaping the change they want to see.
This thinking has increasingly influenced how C-Sema approaches its work. Drawing inspiration from the community-led development approach championed by Tostan, we have had to continually re-evaluate aspects of our programming, recognising that sustainable change is more likely when communities are supported to identify challenges, question harmful social norms and take ownership of the solutions. Rather than simply telling communities what needs to change, the emphasis is on inspiring, facilitating and supporting them to pursue that change themselves.
The conversation also extended to organisational sustainability and resource mobilisation. We exchanged perspectives on fundraising, with Deeqa and Henrik sharing insights and ideas on exploring funding opportunities and strengthening resource mobilisation efforts. This added another dimension to the learning exchange, recognising that sustaining meaningful work also requires organisations to continuously think about how to build partnerships, mobilise resources and strengthen their capacity to respond to the needs of the communities they serve.
Beyond the discussions, Deeqa and Henrik had an opportunity to tour the National Child Helpline (116) and learn more about how the service operates and the support it provides to children and young people across Tanzania.
The Child Helpline remains an important part of C-Sema's work, connecting children and young people with trained responders who listen, provide guidance and facilitate referrals when protection or additional support is needed.
The visit also coincided with a life skills training session under the Voices for Change project. The project brings together young people to strengthen their life skills, build their capacity for meaningful participation and contribute to inclusive prevention and reintegration efforts.
Deeqa and Henrik joined the training session, where they had an opportunity to introduce themselves to the young people in attendance and briefly engage with the participants. It was a valuable opportunity to connect the wider conversation about youth empowerment with the young people at the centre of the project.
Having them join the session added another dimension to the visit, bringing the wider conversation about youth empowerment into the learning space itself.
At its heart, the visit was a reminder that meaningful development work requires more than implementing activities against a project plan. It calls for continuous learning, honest reflection and a willingness to adapt as we deepen our understanding of the communities we serve.
For C-Sema, creating safe, healthy and empowering environments for children and young people means recognising that the challenges they face are interconnected, and that lasting change requires working with communities, not simply for them.
The exchange with SIDA provided an opportunity to reflect on these shared responsibilities, learn from different perspectives and reaffirm the importance of collaboration in ensuring that the quality, relevance and impact of our work remain grounded in the realities and needs of the people we serve.
Prepared by C-Sema's Communications Team.
