Masoy, Clara2024-10-072024-10-072015APAhttps://scholar.mzumbe.ac.tz/handle/123456789/1386A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Master Degree in Public Administration of Mzumbe UniversityThis study sought to examine the extent to which Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are effective and accountable in service delivery to the community. The study was conducted in Morogoro at Morogoro Para legal Center (MPLC). Specifically this study intended to examine the nature and functions of Morogoro Para Legal Center, the extent to which MPLC is effective in service delivery, instruments of accountability, their effectiveness and the main challenges. A case study research design was employed whereby using 50 respondents were selected through purposive and cluster sampling techniques. Data obtained through questionnaire, documentary review and interview found the functions of the MPLC as; enhance access to justice among women and children, establish rural paralegals to ensure the grassroots community receives legal services nearby. Beneficiary members do not access to legal aid services easily. Capacity building, empowerment; partnership and governance are effective instruments of accountability. The main challenges that hinder effective accountability are inadequate fund, low level of awareness of community members, poverty among members in the community, inadequate manpower, lack of internal democracy and accountability and high dependence on external funds. Finally the researcher recommends; agencies for legal rights should ensure the grassroots community effectively receives legal services thereby conducting seminars for the society to understand and advocate for their rights ,agencies for legal services to strengthen and deliver their services to their stakeholders effectively so as to create awareness of their rights, on governmental organizations agencies should strengthen capacity-building along with empowerment; and governance as these are effective instruments that enhance accountability and should raise awareness of community members on the matters that affect their life along with increasing manpower for improving performance with consideration of establishment of their own sources of fund rather than external funds dependence.enCivil society organisationsAccountability in service deliveryCapacity buildingGovernanceEmpowermentThesis