Tuzo Ya Hakuna Chetu Bila Sisi! 

NOthing about us, Without Us! Award for Tanzania

In light of the principle of “NOthing about us, Without Us”, Voice in Tanzania wishes to give recognition, through this award, to inspiring inclusive initiatives, with and by Tanzanian organisations, working to promote inclusion and diversity to trigger (self) empowerment of marginalised and excluded groups and communities. 

For this reason, Tuzo Ya Hakuna Chetu Bila Sisi! is meant for initiatives that are led by and have been fully developed by the rightsholder groups and/or communities themselves to promote/demand their inclusion in society. In particular, such initiatives should be about the promotion of: 

• Improved access to (productive) resources (finance, land and water) and employment 
• Improved access to social services, health and education in particular 
• Improved spaces for political participation and citizen engagement 

These initiatives should be led by one or more of the following groups and/or communities: 

• People with disabilities 
• Women facing exploitation, abuse, and/or violence 
• Age-discriminated vulnerable groups, notably the young and the elderly 
• Indigenous groups and/or ethnic minorities 

Strong preference will be given to initiatives that are able to demonstrate credible instances of intersectionality with at least one or two other rightsholder groups, including youth and women as a cross-cutting component. 

This is a localised version inspired by the global NOW–Us! Awards, a joint partnership between Voice and the Spindle. You can read more about it through this blog here https://voice.global/blog/the-now-us-awards-reflections/ and project details of one of the winning initiatives here https://voice.global/grantees/access-nigeria/#project for inspiration!  

Who can apply? 

 In order to be eligible for the Tuzo Ya Hakuna Chetu Bila Sisi! your initiative must fit ALL of the following criteria; 

• Your organisation (an NGO, CBO, Self-help group or social enterprise) is Tanzania–based and legally registered as a local organisation (with a working bank account in your local currency).   
• If you are not a registered organisation please list a host institution that can serve as the legal and financial host for your initiative.  
• Your organisation is fully led by individuals (staffing, governance, design and implementation) that belong to the very same target groups/rightsholders that it serves and benefits. 
• You have a track record on being inclusive in your ways of working. 
• Your proposed initiative is innovative and has the potential for impact. 

What happens if selected? 

 Only ten shortlisted initiatives which meet the criteria above will be invited to attend a five (5) day innovation boot camp in Zanzibar on 21st to 25th October 2019. The boot camp will provide an opportunity to further improve on your project. It will also give you an opportunity to work with other like-minded innovation professionals.  

During this week, all applicants will be given the chance to enter the final stage by presenting their “final pitch” -live- in front of a jury! 

Finally, at the end of the week, you will be participating in the Voice PAZA Festival in Zanzibar on 25th and 26th October 2019. In the presence of Voice grantees from Tanzania and Kenya and selected CSOs from Tanzania including development partners and Embassies, the jury will announce the winner(s) of Tuzo la Hakuna Chetu Bila Sisi! 2019 at the festival.