This research project considers the factors that influence the functioning of health facility committees, as well as the impact of these committees on health worker performance and the mobilisation and management of resources. The project will examine whether trust between committee members, health staff and the community influences the effectiveness of committee decision-making. The work will be carried out in Ulanga district in Tanzania. Two health facility committees will be selected for in-depth case study within the district: a well functioning and less well functioning committee. The main data sources will be: document review; focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with members of the health facility committee, other government committees, key informants from the community; health care providers and members of surrounding communities. The project as a whole will be completed over a period of approximately 16 months (no later than March 2010).