About Us
Empowering underserved communities through grassroots participation
Community Mobilisation for Reciprocal Development
CMSR-Tanzania is a community-based organisation dedicated to empowering underserved communities through grassroots participation in sustainable development. We believe that lasting change begins at the local level, where people themselves find out solutions to their most pressing challenges.
The Community Mobilisation for Reciprocal Development in Tanzania (CMSR-TZ) is a not-for-profit Non-Governmental Organisation established in August 1997 under the registration of the Society Ordinance with Certificate Number SO No. 9122. Our NGO is currently registered with Certificate of Registration No. 00NGO/R1/00411 under the terms and conditions of the Non-Governmental Organisation Act, 2002, to operate in Tanzania Mainland in accordance with its governing Constitution and the laws of Tanzania.
Our purpose
The purpose of CMSR-TZ is to complement and support the efforts of the Government of Tanzania in the implementation of community development projects targeting people living in rural areas, to alleviate extreme poverty among them.
Community participations
Communities are active participants in planning and implementation, not merely beneficiaries — this strengthens ownership and sustainability.
Hard-to-reach areas
We focus on hard-to-reach and underserved rural areas where the need for basic social services is greatest.
Complementing Government
Our projects complement and support the efforts of the Government of Tanzania at national, regional and council level.
Long-term partnerships
We work with local and international NGOs, faith-based organisations, the private sector and national networks.
Vision & Mission
Vision
What we are working towards
To ensure that community development activities are conducted by the entire community to guarantee ownership and sustainability.
Mission
How we go about it
CMSR-TZ operates in all over the country in Tanzania Mainland, works in partnership with local and international organisations, and the government to support the local communities especially the most at risk population in implementing of development activities to achieve poverty alleviation.
Our core values
Service
We put the community first and the organisation before ourselves. We are dedicated to our vision and mission, and we delight in our commitment to the needs of our target population.
Teamwork
Listening to and respecting each other while working together to achieve mutually beneficial results. Everyone has strengths which we value, we support one another, and we make our work environment enjoyable.
Collaboration
Collaborating in and outside the country with CSOs and NGOs — local and international — Government, the private sector, faith-based organisations and the entire population of Tanzania to deliver best practice in community development.
Integrity
We uphold the highest standards of conduct. We seek and speak the truth to our partners and to our target population, and we honour the organisations we collaborate with.
Excellence
Always doing what we plan, striving for excellence and quality in everything we do. Our motto is "Quality before quantity delights the target population, even staying within budget limitations".
Serving communities since
Projects delivered 2014-2026
People reached directly and indirectly
Regions where projects Implemented
How We Work
CMSR-TZ's approach is bottom-up and holistic, ensuring that communities are not merely beneficiaries but active participants in planning and implementation. This participatory model strengthens ownership, sustainability and long-term impact.
We collaborate closely with
- Government institutions at national and local levels, aligning community initiatives with national development priorities.
- Public institutions, partnering with Regional Administration and Local Government — schools, health facilities and service providers — to improve service delivery systems.
- Private sector partners, leveraging innovation, resources and expertise to scale solutions.
- Regional and national networks, engaging them in shared learning platforms and collective action for greater impact.
The CMSR-TZ approach
The approach of CMSR-TZ is to empower communities through community participation in sustainable development initiatives. By focusing on hard-to-reach and underserved areas, we ensure that local people are actively engaged in shaping solutions that address their most pressing needs.
We deliver projects that strengthen water and sanitation (expanding access to clean water and safe sanitation systems), health services (improving healthcare delivery and promoting wellbeing), education (enhancing learning opportunities and fostering knowledge transfer), agriculture (supporting food security through modern farming practices) and environmental change (promoting resilience and adaptation to climate challenges).
Our promise
CMSR-Tanzania stands for inclusive, sustainable and community-owned development. By combining local participation with strategic partnerships, we ensure that every initiative creates lasting impact and resilience.
Our networks
We participate in regional and national platforms for shared learning, advocacy and accountability.
NGO Network for Dodoma Region (NGONEDO)
The umbrella body uniting over 50 NGOs in Dodoma Region, providing coordination, capacity building, advocacy and networking.
Tanzania Water and Sanitation Network (TAWASANET)
A national civil society platform bringing together NGOs, CBOs and other stakeholders in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector.
Dodoma Community Health Network (DCHN)
A regional network strengthening health systems locally.
National Council for NGOs (NaCoNGO)
Works closely with the Registrar of NGOs under the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, coordinating, regulating and strengthening the work of NGOs across the region.
Meet the people behind the work
Our Board and management team govern and deliver every project we implement.