CSIF Ethiopia held the fourth biannual strategic meeting in Addis Ababa
On Friday September 20th2024, the Civil Society Innovation Fund (CSIF) Ethiopia held its fourth biannual meeting in Addis Ababa, bringing together over 40 participants representing the 15 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) implementing the project,the donor: Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the programme management consultant (PMC; AGAR-INTRAC), the Evaluation Consultant (Triple Line) and other civil society actors and donors such as representatives of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Louis-Antoine Souchet, AFD Ethiopia Country Director, and Mr. Ameha Mekonnen, Executive Director of LHR.
The event began with welcoming remarks from Mr. Souchet and Mr. Mekonnen. This was followed by an exhibition and live testimonies from consortium partners led by CARD, LHR, and CSRC. During the exhibition, consortia partners showcased their achievements and outcomes related to their flagship projects, as well as their plans to build on their achievements. The showcase was well received by AFD.
“Very insightful presentations from the representatives of the CSOs we are supporting through the Civil Society Innovation Fund Ethiopia (CSIF) project, to boost civic space in Ethiopia and increase the role of CSOs in protection of human rights, gender equality and inclusion, for a more peaceful and stable Ethiopia. Useful discussions on the lessons learned that will feed the new CSIF2 project, which will start early 2025.
The implementation of this project has been challenging and a factor of innovation for all of us, but the impacts are significant and worth continuing this journey together.”
During the second part of the meeting, Mr. Paul Knipe (PMC Programme Director from INTRAC), presented the overall progress, learnings, and current status of the CSIF programme, with a particular focus on the operating environment and civic space in Ethiopia. He also elaborated on learning derived from discussions held during the bilateral monitoring meeting earlier in the week, focusing on the inclusion of marginalised groups and the programme’s focus on innovation. His presentation was followed by a presentation on the CSIF Mid-Term Evaluation: Learning, Results, and Recommendations for CSIF 1 and CSIF 2 by Ms. Eyerusalem Gorman from Triple Line, which included an open discussion. The final presentation was delivered by Ms Kidist Abebe, Project Manager AFD, who provided an update on preparations for CSIF 2.
The biannual strategic meeting provided an opportunity for CSOs to learn from each other and engage in meaningful dialogue to address challenges. Throughout the event, participants exchanged insights and discussed the CSIF projects and results, providing valuable input and lessons learned that will inform the review of the programme. These insights will also feed into the new CSIF 2 project, set to begin early 2025.
CSIF Ethiopia has taken a decisive step towards driving change and growth for new and emerging CSOs in Ethiopia. The programme features innovation, capacity building, and knowledge-sharing activities led by industry thought leaders, aimed at strengthening the diversification and innovation of Ethiopian civil society.
We congratulate all CSOs for their outstanding work and the significant impact they are making on the civil society space in Ethiopia. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our donor, AFD, and all partners involved, including the AGAR-INTRAC team and Triple Line, for their unwavering support. Most importantly, we thank all participants for their active engagement and insightful contributions.
CSIF Ethiopia is funded by AFD and implemented with the technical support of INTRAC and AGAR.
Photo by: Mahlet T and Dawit Dagnew