Dissertation (MA International Relations)This study was carried out in Dodoma Municipality. The objective of the study was to understand how local community participate in planning and delivering of social through decentralisation by devolution. A descriptive study with cross-sectional and non-experimental was used in order to assess the impact of the decentralization with a view to recommend improvements based on practical realities. Questionnaires, in-depth interviews and intensive documentary reviews were used for data collection purposes. The study provided a discussion on Decentralization-by-Devolution (D-by- D) in social services planning process in Tanzania a focus being in Dodoma Municipality in Dodoma region. The study provided findings on how grassroots level participated in preparing social service strategic plans and their implications towards solving socio-economic problems at grassroots level. The findings from Dodoma municipality revealed that although the government has done a commendable work in implementing D-by-D, the contribution in planning process at grassroots level is still minimal and ineffective. The mitaa residents were not participating fully in the social service planning process; rather they were involved in the implementation of the centrally made plans that did not consider their priorities. The study recommended to the government and other stakeholders to direct for efforts in involving local community in social service planning in accordance to their priorities.