Zonal Policy Forum

A Zonal Policy Forum is an ecumenical conference leader in a defined area whose primary concern is to analyze, discuss and deliberate on policy issues pertaining to provision of social services by the Churches alone or jointly with government or other bodies.

Objectives
The CSSC Zonal offices focus on further qualifying health and education services managed by church facilities through (a) policy advocacy and lobbying, (b) promotion of Private Public Partnerships (PPP), (c) fostering partnerships, and (d) capacity building.


To harness countrywide broad-based policy dialogue and input, in 2001 CSSC decentralized its set up by establishing policy dialogue forums in five zones as follows:

• Eastern Zone (Dar es Salaam, Coast, Tanga, Zanzibar, Morogoro & Dodoma)
• Western Zone (Singida, Tabora, & Kigoma )
• Northern Zone (Kilimanjaro, Arusha & Manyara)
• Southern Zone (Iringa, Mbeya, Ruvuma,Rukwa, Mtwara & Lindi)
• Lake Zone (Mwanza, Mara, Shinyanga & Kagera)

Roles and Activities
The Zonal office has the role to realise CSSCs decentralised structure and allow close support to CSSCs member institutions. It is implementing HO efforts at Zonal level as following:
• To coordinate between CSSC HO and stakeholders (Diocesan Senior Leadership, Regional/ Local Government and NGOs ) on community social services (education and health)
• To advocate for the functionality of social institutions and cooperate with stakeholders on awareness regarding health and education service delivery to communities.
• To lobby for including FBOs  in the Government supported Comprehensive Council plans.
• To advocate for PPPs in the various available fora.
• To conduct forum for church leaders (Ecumenism) to share experiences, e.g. on addressing the  sector Policy Reform on Social Services.
• To promote CSSC as an instrument of deliberating church’s social services as related To social political changes and contribute to its sustainability.
• To advocate for equitable and affordable quality health and education services.
• To monitor the implementation of issues raised from the zonal policy forum (ZPF), CSSC HO or other relevant partners.
• To organize capacity building sessions to health and education service providers.

Leadership

Set up of its leadership is as follows:

• Chairman ( 1)
• Zonal Secretary (1 )
• Zonal Coordinators (4 )
  

Lead Agent

A Leading agent is a representative of churches in district bodies and authorities in matters relating to provision education and health services. The Lead agent coordinates social services activities implemented by churches. Also promotes partnership between the Faith Based organizations and the Government in planning, implementation and allocation of resources at the district level.