This call was made at three days zonal CSO networks meeting which was called  by TANGO and KEPA to deliberate on the state of CSO Networks in the Southern Zone. The meeting  which brought together CSOs representatives from Mbeya, Ruvuma, Iringa and Rukwa regions, was attended by 56 participants and was held in Mbeya’s Nane nane Grounds from 21 to 23 May 2010.
The agenda of the meeting included the review the state CSO networking in the zone, achievements and challenges facing CSOs, means of strengthening the CSO networks in the region, identifying areas of common advocacy and working out modalities for the coordination of CSO affair in the southern Zone.
Generally the meeting observed that there is an improvement in the state of networking among the CSOs in the zone. This was evidenced by the level of debate the participants understanding and application of the networking working concept. This was also shown by the fact that every district now has a CSO/NGO network and the fact that only 6 of the networks in the Southern Zone are not registered.
However, it was also noted that the networks lack skills in resource mobilization and management, governance and advocacy.
Further the meeting revealed that the CSOs/NGOs in the zone do not have adequate information on the development processes from both the local and central government levels. This according to the participants of the regional network meeting has led to lack of understanding of the LGA process, especially the CSOs obligation and rights when it comes to planning, implementation and evaluation of district development plans.
Secondly, it was noted that despite the fact that agriculture is the main economic activity in the zone, the participants were not knowledgeable of the content of the agriculture development policies and national strategies including Kilimo Kwanza.
The participants also decried the poor coordination of CSO affair in Tanzania saying that there is need for organizations like, NACONGO, TANGO and TACOSODE to reorganized themselves and device modalities for effective collaboration.
To the grant maker Foundation for Civil Society (FCS) the networks despite being thankful for the support rendered by FCS said that it should limit itself to grant-making and financial resource capacity building, and not enter into implementation as is the case today.
The participants also urged the regional CSO networks to ensure that their structures are composed of members of the district networks and the agenda of the regional networks is driven by district CSO networks.
The participants also expressed displeasure at the tendency by most CSOs in the zone and the nation as a whole of not addressing the felt needs of the people, but following the donor or development partner’s agenda, saying that there is need for Tanzanian CSOs to look into other resource mobilization mechanisms so that they can secure their own funding and gain some level of independence from the donors.
The meeting culminated in the proposition of a framework and operation modalities of a zonal CSO/NGO network.  In this regard the meeting agreed on a coordination mechanism for the southern zone, in which each region selected a representative to the coordination committee.
The committee has been tasked with the responsibility of undertaking a needs assessment for CSO in the zone and coming up with a report by July.