CSIF Projects
Project 1: Strengthening Collaboration for Rights, Empowerment, and Democracy (SCORED)
Lead Organisation: Centre for Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD)
Consortium Partners: AHRE, EHRDC, EIHR, IPD, I4C
Locations: Nationwide across all 12 regional states and 2 federal city administrations
Duration: 36 months
Summary:
This project aims to foster democratization, peacebuilding, and protection of civic and media space in Ethiopia. It addresses systemic challenges such as ethnic conflict, media repression, gender-based violence, and youth disempowerment. It achieves this through multi-stakeholder dialogues, capacity building, and innovative tools like the Awramba Index. The initiative strengthens civil society collaboration, promotes gender equality, and empowers youth and women to engage in advocacy and human rights defense.
Project 2: Ethiopian Civil Society Engagement Programme II
Lead Organisation: Civil Society Resource Centre (CSRC)
Consortium Partners: ELA, DRSE.G, ELRW, IVIDE
Locations: Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, Amhara, Oromia, Benishangul, Tigray, Somali
Duration: 24 months
Summary:
This project seeks to build a resilient and innovative civil society sector in Ethiopia by addressing challenges such as evolving civic space, limited resources, and weak advocacy capacity. It focuses on creating an enabling legal and funding environment for emerging CSOs and trade unions, strengthening leadership, and promoting digital advocacy tools. Activities include legal reforms, capacity-building programs, and networking platforms to enhance collaboration and democratic governance.
Project 3: Improving Access to Justice by Providing Legal Aid Services in Police Stations
Lead Organisation: Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR)
Consortium Partners: Mizan Young Lawyers Center (MYLC), Advocates Ethiopia (AE)
Locations: Oromia (Adama), Sidama (Hawassa), South Ethiopia (Wolayta Sodo)
Duration: 24 months
Summary:
This project addresses the lack of legal aid services in Ethiopian police stations, which leads to rights violations and prolonged detention. It aims to improve access to justice for detainees, especially women and marginalized groups, by establishing mobile and stationed legal aid services, strengthening legislative frameworks, and building the capacity of legal aid providers. The initiative also fosters partnerships among CSOs to ensure sustainable delivery of legal aid services.
Project 4: Promoting Democracy, Civic Engagement, and Human Rights in Ethiopia through Strengthening Civic Actors
Lead Organisation: Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organisations for Elections (CECOE)
Consortium Partners: EWRA, Bright Future
Locations: Addis Ababa, Tigray, Harar, Benishangul-Gumuz, Afar, Somali, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia
Duration: 36 months
Summary:
This project aims to enhance democratic governance and civic engagement by building the capacity of civil society actors and promoting inclusive dialogue. It addresses low citizen participation, weak CSOs, and gender inequality, particularly in conflict-affected regions. Through civic education platforms, mentorship programs for women leaders, and best-practice toolkits, the initiative seeks to empower CSOs and citizens to actively participate in governance and peacebuilding.
Project 5: Joint Action to Promote Equality, Peace, and Healing in Ethiopia
Lead Organisation: EURIKA
Consortium Partners: N4ED, IDS
Locations: Amhara (Central & North Gondar), Southern Ethiopia (Arba Minch), Harar, Benishangul-Gumuz (Bambassi), Tigray (Mekelle), Addis Ababa
Duration: 36 months
Summary:
This project focuses on fostering peace, gender equality, and human rights through grassroots empowerment. It addresses harmful practices like child marriage and FGM, widespread SGBV, and lack of access to education and economic opportunities. Activities include capacity building for grassroots Organisations, creating sustainable networks, promoting positive community behaviour, and supporting SGBV survivors with essential services and economic empowerment.
Project 6: Laying the Groundwork for Peace and Democratization through Media Innovation, Civic Partnership, and Engagement
Lead Organisation: MERSA Media Institute (MMI)
Consortium Partner: Woldia University Community Radio
Locations: Addis Ababa, Sheger (Oromia), North Wollo (Amhara), Afar, Southern Tigray
Duration: 36 months
Summary:
This project seeks to combat misinformation, political polarisation, and civic disengagement by strengthening media-civic partnerships and promoting inclusive dialogue. It builds the capacity of community radios and CSOs to deliver reliable information and foster peacebuilding. Key interventions include cross-border radio programming, forum theatre, indigenous justice mentorship centres, and fact-checking tools to ensure informed civic participation and democratic governance.