Review of Norwegian Support to Tanzania Culture Trust Fund

This report reviews Norwegian support to Tanzania Culture Trust Fund (Mfuko wa Utamaduni Tanzania). The fund was established by the Government of Tanzania and Sida in 1998, and aims to promote individual and organizational achievements in the cultural field. Since its inception, the fund has supported 220 cultural projects within six constituencies: Performing Arts, Cultural Heritage, Cultural Industry, Fine Arts & Crafts, Language and Literature and Film, Audio Visuals and Multi-Media. In addition, special awards have been given to 48 artists who have made an outstanding contribution to Tanzanian cultural life. Due to limited government and private sector funding of culture and arts, the fund has played an important role for the cultural sector. However, the review found that the fund could have been more cost effective and that financial and administrative reports from programme activities need to be improved and more closely related to programme documents. An assessment of the financial reports reveals irregularities in the early years of the fund. The main objectives of the fund are in line with Norwegian priorities for development cooperation with Tanzania; reduction of income poverty, good governance, improved competence, and institutional capacity building. However, the degree to which the outputs and outcomes of the activities fulfil the objectives of the fund varies. The review recommends that a clearer policy is developed to strike a balance between the fund's role in poverty reduction and its goal to support exceptionally talented artists. Strategies should be worked out to help artists develop new attractive designs and improve marketing. The report also recommends that some of the cultural awards are earmarked artists who address and stimulate public debate on corruption and good governance.