GPF Tanzania Conducts Program on Safeguarding Civic Space

Naomi MacMurdie

December 1, 2023

A group of people sitting at a table discussing the Safeguarding Civic Space in Tanzania, organized by the GPF.

Participants during a program for Safeguarding Civic Space while Countering the Financing of Terrorism

Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Tanzania’s ongoing programs to build safe communities include a project called Safeguarding Civic Space while Countering the Financing of Terrorism. The project draws participation from thirty key organizations and individuals with equal representation of men and women. The group is also strategically made up of leaders from a wide age range and a representative of people with disabilities to highlight the project’s dedication to accessibility and inclusivity. Together, the group aims to address the vital issue of safeguarding civic space while countering the financing of terrorism through a representative and comprehensive approach.

A group of women from GPF Tanzania sitting at a table with water bottles, engaged in Safeguarding Civic Space discussions.

Participants during a program for Safeguarding Civic Space while Countering the Financing of Terrorism

In September 2023, a training program provided by GPF Tanzania delved into several crucial topics related to anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML-CFT). These included a comprehensive exploration of the National AML-CFT-CPF risk assessment, comprised of three sub-sections. The first sub-section discussed Mutual Evaluation, shedding light on its objectives, processes, and implications. The second sub-section centered on the National Non-Profit Organization (NPO) risk assessment in the context of terrorist financing, highlighting its results and implications. Lastly, the training addressed the identification of organizations falling under the purview of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), focusing on both NPOs and those deemed at risk. Participants also learned about the significance of FATF Mutual Evaluations, which involve in-depth country reports assessing the effectiveness of measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

The training provided insights into mitigation and prevention strategies and highlighted the potential compliance dividends that can be realized through effective AML-CFT measures.

A man is giving a presentation on the GPF Tanzania program, focusing on safeguarding civic space, to a group of people.

Participants during a program for Safeguarding Civic Space while Countering the Financing of Terrorism

An assessment of participants before and after the training showed a significant increase in knowledge after completing the program.

86% of the participants became “very knowledgeable” after the training about the risk factors of terrorist financing abuse in the humanitarian NPO sector compared to 23% before the training.
81% of the participants became “very knowledgeable” about the national and international standards and legal frameworks to combat terrorist financing abuse compared to 18% who were very knowledgeable before the training.
100% of the participants became “very knowledgeable” about the risk mitigation strategies and best practices to protect NPOs from terrorist financing abuse compared to 18% who were very knowledgeable before the training.
100% of the assessed participants expressed the usefulness of the training in raising awareness of the risk factors of terrorist financing abuse and the understanding of the domestic and international legal frameworks to protect NPOs from such abuse.

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