By Jebessa Senbeta, Sosena Lemma (from AGAR Development Partners), Willemijn de Bruin, and Paul Knipe (from INTRAC)
The Civil Society Innovation Fund (CSIF) is an initiative to support civil society in Ethiopia. A new learning digest, available to download here, celebrates CSIF achievements, learning and progress from the first three years of Fund implementation. It has been written to inform and support other practitioners to apply some of our learning to other civil society programmes in similar contexts.
This first phase of CSIF supported 15 CSOs, arranged into three consortia, to build peace, inclusivity, strengthen civil society engagement and influence with government, and advance human rights through legal aid services. While carrying out innovative work, the CSOs benefitted from capacity strengthening and learning partnerships to increase impact.
After three years of CSIF, despite the challenges faced by civil society and ongoing conflict in the country, activities are contributing to the advancement of human rights, media freedom and gender equality. There are examples of:
- New and emerging CSOs playing their democratic and human rights roles more effectively.
- Enhanced culture of dialogue and advocacy among civil society partners, movements, government on issues that matter to citizens.
- Increased and better representation of marginalised groups with a stronger role and voice.
Stories of change
The digest illustrates these achievements through a series of summarised stories, told by people, communities, and the CSOs themselves. Here are a couple, with many more in the digest:
We call it peace: how a project impacted the peace building processes
Enabling spaces for dialogue and the pursuit of peace are closely linked. East African Initiative for Change trained local facilitators and held 68 dialogue sessions involving over 2,000 participants across 10 districts in Oromia region. These sessions identified key conflict drivers and opened space for honest communication, building trust and mutual understanding among diverse communities. The dialogues resulted in 12 peace committees in kebeles (local administrative units) being established/strengthened, thereby bringing together community members and government representatives.
The office of Hamid Uke, Head of Administration and Security in Arsi Negelle, is now encouraging all kebeles in the district to replicate the model, based on the clear changes already observed.
There has been great mistrust among our 39 ethnic communities. Through inclusive, community-owned dialogue and strengthened peace committees, the project has been promoting peaceful co-existence.
Head of Administration and Security in Arsi Negelle
Legal aid plus: stakeholders working in collaboration to create a holistic approach to justice
A partnership between Mizan Young Lawyers Centre and public justice institutions has significantly improved the fairness and coordination of the local justice system in Hawassa and surrounding areas. As a result of joint legal aid missions, training, and collaboration, wrongful detentions have been reduced, human rights standards in detention centres have improved, and police and prosecutors now work together more effectively. Community legal awareness has increased, and detainees received timely legal support and referrals to rehabilitative services — marking a shift towards a more just, accountable, and holistic approach to justice delivery.
It has become our culture to care for and handle our prisoners professionally. That’s how confident we are.
Enduring spirit and commitment
Overall, CSIF progress speaks to the commitment, passion and enduring spirit of civil society in Ethiopia. Despite increasingly complex and challenging situations, with appropriate investment and support, civil society is best placed to drive progress, change and positive impact.
We want to express our gratitude to the 15 CSOs, partners, and participants of CSIF phase 1. Thanks, also, to Agence Française de Développement (AFD), who took the initiative to invest in new and emerging CSOs, despite risks associated with this, and are continuing this partnership in CSIF phase 2.