On the 24th and 25th of November 2026, Climate Action Network (CAN) Tanzania convened a Capacity and Training Needs Assessment Workshop for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working at the intersection of climate change, gender, and health advocacy under the Commonwealth Foundation-funded project “Strengthening CSOs’ Voice for a Climate-Resilient Health System in Tanzania.” The workshop was held in Dar es Salaam at Protea Courtyard Hotel and brought together 16 CSOs to collectively assess existing capacities, identify critical gaps, and prioritize training needs required to enhance effective advocacy and policy engagement at national and sub-national levels.

A representative from the Ministry of Health, Tanzania, emphasized the importance of such initiatives in supporting the formulation of the national policies, noting that “strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations is critical to advancing a climate-resilient health system in Tanzania. This assessment provides an important foundation for ensuring that CSOs are well-equipped to contribute meaningfully to policy dialogue, promote gender-responsive approaches, and support the Ministry’s efforts to address climate-related health risks at all levels.”

The technical workshop served as a platform for technical exchange and participation, enabling CSOs to share experiences, reflect on challenges, and align their advocacy efforts with national and global climate-resilient health agendas. Through guided discussions and assessment tools, participants explored institutional, technical, and knowledge-based capacities related to climate governance, gender responsiveness, and health systems strengthening.

Reflecting on the value of the engagement, one CSO participant shared that “the workshop created a valuable space for learning, reflection, and collaboration among CSOs working on climate, gender, and health. It helped us clearly identify our capacity gaps and priority training needs, which will strengthen our advocacy efforts and enable us to engage more effectively with policymakers and communities.”

The outcomes of the assessment will inform the design of targeted capacity-building interventions aimed at empowering CSOs to influence policies and promote inclusive meaningfully, climate-resilient health systems across Tanzania.