Responding to the call of our vision, we work towards the ultimate objective of guaranteeing that human rights in communities are known, respected and protected. To achieve this end we amongst other things file strategic and public interest cases, conduct research on human rights status in the country, train communities, disseminate simplified human rights publications, engage media in raising awareness and undertake policy and legal framework analysis and advocacy.
We believe that for any society to thrive good governance must be at its core, and to realize this vital aspect we train communities as well as duty bearers on the virtues of this element, develop and disseminate publications on the topic, advocate for policy and legal framework reviews in relation to good governance and engage like-minded stakeholders and entities. We also work with media to help raise and expand awareness at all levels of communities for the purpose of building a society that thrives on good governance.
Our focus on this area ensures access to justice in rural communities is improved through the provision of legal aid services to underprivileged and vulnerable groups, identifying and training paralegals and facilitating the establishment of their units and/or organizations, publishing and disseminating popular versions of legal materials, training duty bearers (police, local government authorities and faith-based leaders), filing strategic and public interest cases, undertaking policy and legal analysis and advocacy reviews and engaging media in raising awareness.
Our work also contributes to the existence of favourable policies and legal frameworks on natural resources, and ensures that they are effectively implemented and enforced. In this context we also advocate for the formulation of favourable policies on extractive industries, develop and disseminate simplified or popular versions of relevant publications on land, forestry and wildlife policies. Additionally, we advocate for equitable sharing of the benefits of natural resources, advocate for transparency in natural resources extraction and convene stakeholder forums on natural resources governance.
We aim to help communities around the country enhance their capacities in climate change adaptation and mitigation by training them on measures for accomplishing this goal, identifying and analyzing gaps in policy and legal frameworks, engaging media in raising awareness, forging partnerships with other like-minded organizations addressing climate change issues and participate in national, regional, and international forums on the topic.
The Centre for Environmental Law and Governance was established in 2009 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania as a non-profit organization for the purpose of disseminating environmental and natural resources education, human rights, civic and legal aid and education to Tanzanians of all calibres who may otherwise not have a vehicle through which this crucial knowledge could reach them.
In addition to these responsibilities towards the public, CELG also advocates on behalf of citizens affected by economic or social activities on the environment and natural resources. Understanding also the need for responsible leadership towards national development, CELG promotes all aspects of good governance.
Our organization extends its commitment to include working with other civil society organizations, local government authorities, development organizations, and the general public to direct their resources towards better and responsible environmental stewardship, rights protection and the promotion of legal aid and legal education.
Since inception we have worked on various long projects in Kilwa, Liwale, and Ruangwa districts in Lindi Region, Rufiji, Bagamoyo, Mkuranga, Kisarawe, Kibaha Urban and Kibaha Rural, Kibiti, Chalinze and Mafia districts in Pwani, Mbozi and Momba districts formerly in Mbeya Region but now in the new region of Songwe, and Hanang, Kiteto, Mbulu, and Babati districts in Manyara all within Tanzania.
Over the years our organization has worked with other institutions and organizations from around Tanzania and internationally. These include Equitas in Canada, the East African Human Rights Programme (EAHRP), the Tanzania Network of Legal Aid Providers (TANLAP), the Rufiji Social Development Initiative (RUSODI), Legal Services Facility (LSF), the Foundation for Civil Society (FCS), the Tanzania Forest Fund (TFF), the Legal Aid Secretariat (LAS) and WWF among others.
P. O. Box 9731
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
In light of the severity of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Tanzania, CELG maintains an HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy to guide worksite interventions for its staff. This policy contains general principles regarding prevention, treatment, support and care. It complements the existing policies, regulations, or laws of the organization.
In order to improve the internal management workforce’s healthcare, the policy is also in line with the Tanzania HIV/AIDS policy. CELG’s HIV/AIDS policy does not, however, vest any legal rights or benefits for staff or any person against the organization in relation to HIV/AIDS incidences.
HIVAidsPolicy [109 KB]CELG pursues the supreme objective of promoting a well governed society whose rights are respected and protected, and to achieve this goal it places emphasis on capacity enhancement, rights advocacy and policy engagement through working in partnership with communities.
InternshipProgramme [160 KB]The National Environment Policy in Tanzania encourages development that is sustainable, and that respects present and future needs for a healthy environment. Protection of the environment and rights requires a justice system that reacts to illegal violations.
In Tanzania, laws and policies do exist to ensure rights to a healthy environment, and access to courts to protect these rights. Enforcement, however, is lacking. And those most vulnerable are often left without the awareness and resources necessary for justice.
legal_Aid [132 KB]