TANGO is the coordinating umbrella for all NGOs in The Gambia. It was formed in 1983 by a group of NGOs conscious of the need to consult, cooperate, and collaborate with each other to enhance their development efforts.



Objectives:



TANGO aims to establish a forum to discuss unmet development needs; to coordinate NGO activities to prevent geographical and sectoral overlaps; to advise government on NGO activities and problems, and to integrate NGO efforts more effectively into the natoinal development; and to provide a framework in which NGOs can collaborate and reinforce each other`s activities more effectively.



TANGO also wants to help the Advisory Committee for the Coordination of NGOs [ACCNO], an intergovernmental body, in fulfilling its aims and objectives; and to facilitate the growth of indigenous NGO activity through technical assistance, advice on funding small- and medium-scale development projects, and providing pre-organizational grants.



Activities:



To support its members, the TANGO secretariat: maintains a database on all NGOs operating in The Gambia and of organizations interested in collaborating with them; produces and distributes a quarterly newsletter, annual reports, and information brochures; establishes links with other NGO umbrella organizations in Africa and other regions; organizes forums for NGOs to discuss issues of common interest; provides pre-organizational support for local NGOs with funds from donor agencies; and provides opportunities for program and finance staff of NGOs to receive local training.