Poverty eradication in Southern Africa: involvement of civil society organisations: Mozambique, Tanzania, Democretic Republic of Congo and Angola: national and regional poverty observatories

Abstract

This book presents an analysis and evaluation of civil society organisations’ participation in national/regional mechanisms for the monitoring and alleviation of poverty, with special emphasis on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) project of a Regional Poverty Observatory (RPO) and the National Poverty Observatories (NPOs) present throughout the region. The research was based on four case studies – Mozambique, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Angola. These case studies demonstrate several specific characteristics but also many similarities in crucial areas, allowing us to understand general tendencies and enabling us to perceive several obstacles that need to be overcome in order to make civil society organisations an effective partner for development and poverty eradication in the region. The research study is also intended to contribute to making mechanisms such as the RPO and NPOs more efficient and effective in the alleviation and eradication of poverty in the region, and hence in improving the life of the poor.