The Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Elections (CECOE) conducted a four-day series of capacity-building and civic engagement activities under the Civil Society Innovation Fund (CSIF II), funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), from August 5–8, 2026, at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Addis Ababa. The activities brought together participants for discussions and practical sessions focused on project management, grant management, reporting, civic engagement, community challenges, and developing innovative solutions.
Opening Remarks
The sessions commenced with opening statements by Abera Haile Mariam, CECOE’s Executive Director, alongside Project Officer Fikadu Ashuro. They elaborated on the program's goals, indicating the importance of enhancing technical standards while ensuring meaningful, grassroots-level results throughout the initiative.
The first day focused on a Partner Capacity Building Workshop covering project overview, grant management, and reporting requirements. Participants received an overview of the project, the Bequ Zega Hub and Bequ Zega E-learning Platform, as well as sessions on financial management, cost principles, grant management, and compliance requirements.
The workshop also included sessions on communications and visibility materials, safeguarding policy, and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL), including narrative reporting and change stories. The day concluded with reflection and question-and-answer sessions.
The subsequent sessions focused on innovative problem-solving and civic engagement, with participants engaging in brainstorming activities and working on civic innovation projects, prototyping concepts, and beneficiary journey mapping. Participants also worked on developing a Theory of Change and took part in group exercises and peer review sessions.
The concluding phase focused on the refinement of project concepts, where participants worked on results frameworks, work plans, budgets, concept notes, and pitch presentations. Following a comprehensive evaluation, the activity transitioned toward the next phase of mentoring and continued proposal refinement within the Biqu Zega Hub network.
Key Takeaways
The four-day activity provided participants with practical knowledge and skills in project and grant management, financial management, reporting, safeguarding, and compliance, while also strengthening their understanding of civic engagement and community-driven innovation. Participants had the opportunity to identify community challenges, develop innovative solutions, and work with practical tools for planning, budgeting, and proposal development.
Closing Statement
The activity concluded with a post-training assessment and evaluation, followed by discussions on next steps and the transition to the next phase, including the mentoring and refinement of proposals by the Biqu Zega Hubs. The four-day activity provided a platform for participants to strengthen their capacities, exchange experiences, and further develop ideas aimed at advancing civic engagement. CECOE extends its sincere appreciation to all participating organizations and facilitators for their active engagement, as well as to the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) for its continued support under the Civil Society Innovation Fund (CSIF II).
The Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Elections (CECOE), with the support of UK International Development, conducted a two-day training for its sub-grantee member organizations from July 31 to 1 August 2026 at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Addis Ababa. The training brought together 30 participants three representatives from each of CECOE's 10 sub-grantee member organizations, representing senior management, programme, and finance functions to strengthen institutional capacity in grant management, financial reporting, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E), while building practical skills in innovative peacebuilding and conflict mitigation at the grassroots level.
The participating organizations included the Consortium of Christian Relief and Development Associations (CCRDA), Omo's Morningstar Children (OMC), Benishangul Gumuz Development Associations Network (BGDAN), Pro Development Network (PDN), Tiret Community Empowerment for Change Association(TCECA), Federation of Ethiopian Associations of Persons with Disabilities (FEAPD), Pastoralist In Action Development Organization (PIADO), Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO), Green Initiative Ethiopia (GIA), and Synergy for Community Development (SCD).
Opening Remarks
The training opened with welcoming remarks by Eyuel Zelealem, CECOE's Program Director , who outlined the objectives and expected outcomes of the two-day programme, emphasizing the importance of strengthening both technical compliance and practical, community-level impact.
Day One: Grant Management, Financial Reporting, and M&E
Day one featured five core training modules. The CECOE Programme Team led sessions on grant management and compliance, reviewing the Sub-Grant Agreement article by article, together with the Sub-Grant Manual, roles and responsibilities, prohibited costs, procurement procedures, and audit requirements.
The CECOE Finance Team facilitated two sessions on financial management, covering cost principles, eligible expenditures, supporting documentation, and budget management. Participants also took part in a practical exercise on disbursement requests, financial reporting, and the use of CECOE's reporting templates.
The CECOE Programme Team introduced participants to project monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, including logframes, indicators, and data collection methodologies through a practical exercise.
The day's programme also included a session delivered by CECOE's Safeguarding Focal Person on the organization's Safeguarding Policy, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) principles, and reporting and referral mechanisms. In addition, the Communications Team provided guidance on CECOE and UK International Development branding requirements, visibility reporting, and photo consent procedures.
Day one concluded with a wrap-up session, an interactive question-and-answer discussion, and a briefing on the sub-grantee proposal presentations scheduled for the following day.
Day Two: Innovative Peacebuilding and Conflict Mitigation at the Grassroots Level
The second day focused on practical approaches to peacebuilding and conflict mitigation. Sub-grantee organizations presented their project proposals in two rounds, with each presentation followed by structured peer feedback. A plenary discussion highlighted common innovative peacebuilding strategies and key lessons emerging from the presentations.
The afternoon featured an interactive session on conflict mitigation and peacebuilding planning, during which participants developed context-specific approaches using peacebuilding risk mapping tailored to grassroots realities. This was followed by a collaborative group exercise that enabled participants to apply these approaches to real-world community contexts.
The programme concluded with a joint session on CSO collaboration planning, where participants identified shared peacebuilding and conflict mitigation actions, communication channels, and next steps for future collaboration among member organizations.
Key Takeaways
Grant management, financial reporting, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) were reinforced as essential foundations for transparent and accountable project implementation across CECOE's sub-grantee organizations.
Safeguarding, branding, and visibility requirements were emphasized as integral components of responsible sub-grant management alongside financial and technical compliance.
Sub-grantee organizations shared their peacebuilding proposals, received constructive peer feedback, and strengthened cross-organizational learning.
Participants enhanced their practical skills in designing context-specific peacebuilding and conflict mitigation approaches tailored to grassroots realities.
The training concluded with agreed next steps for continued collaboration among CSOs on shared peacebuilding and conflict mitigation initiatives.
Closing Statement
The training ended with a post-training assessment and evaluation, followed by closing remarks from Yisihak Abebayehu, CECOE's Senior Program Officer. CECOE extends its sincere appreciation to all participating organizations, facilitators, and partners whose active engagement contributed to the success of the training, as well as to UK International Development for its continued support. CECOE remains committed to strengthening the institutional capacity of its member organizations and advancing innovative, community-driven peacebuilding initiatives across Ethiopia.
The Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Elections (CECOE) has initiated a groundbreaking project titled “Civic Education for Better Civic Engagement and Political Participation in Ethiopia”, which aims to enhance civic awareness and democratic participation across the nation. This project is funded by the German Government and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH under the “Support to Good Governance (S2GG) in Ethiopia” programme, aims to enhance civic awareness and democratic participation across the nation.
Civic education in Ethiopia, though part of the general education curriculum, has struggled to instill democratic values or empower the public for meaningful political participation. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have recognized the need for enhanced civic education programs that are inclusive and context-sensitive, addressing cultural diversity, regional disparities, and varying literacy levels. By improving their capacity to design and implement effective civic education initiatives, CSOs can help build a well-informed and engaged citizenry capable of driving social change.
The CECOE project is focused on delivering digital civic education through interactive audiovisual (radio spots and video ads), social media, and printed materials. The main objectives of the project include enhancing civic knowledge to improve citizens’ understanding of their rights, duties, governance structures, and the functioning of democratic institutions. It also aims to promote inclusive participation by ensuring equitable access to information and resources and encouraging active involvement in political and civic affairs.
CECOE, a coalition of over 175 local civil society organizations, has a proven track record of promoting civic engagement and electoral participation. During the Sixth Ethiopian General Elections, CECOE's efforts in deploying several thousand election observers and conducting voter education campaigns were instrumental in reaching millions of citizens. By launching this new project, CECOE aims to build on this success by fostering a more informed and engaged citizenry, capable of contributing to the stabilization and democratization of Ethiopia's political landscape.
In the context of political volatility and societal challenges, the “Civic Education for Better Civic Engagement and Political Participation in Ethiopia” project contributes to the effort in building a more democratic and inclusive Ethiopia. By equipping citizens with the knowledge and tools to participate in democratic processes, this initiative aims to contribute to the stabilization and democratization of Ethiopia's political landscape.
The Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Elections (CECOE), in collaboration with Dialogue Ethiopia, conducted a series of intellectual dialogues themed "Role of Intellectuals on National Issues" on October 14, 21, and 28 in Dire Dawa, Hawassa, and Addis Ababa, respectively. These dialogues brought together 134 intellectuals from 12 universities to engage in inspiring discussions and explore the critical role of intellectuals in determining Ethiopia's future.
Welcoming speech: CECOE's Enduring Commitment to Ethiopia's Democratic Processes
The dialogues commenced with opening remarks by Abera Haile Mariam, the Executive Director of CECOE. In his remarks, he highlighted CECOE's unwavering commitment to contribute to strengthening democracy in the Ethiopia, process and featured its active involvement in various electoral cycles, including the 6th general election, Sidama, Southwest, South Ethiopia referendum, Wolayita referendum rerun, and other crucial electoral related engagements.
Keynote Speeches: Intellectuals as Agents of Change
Ayalew Zegeye, the Board chairperson of Dialogue Ethiopia, set the stage for the dialogues by emphasizing the paramount importance of intellectuals in addressing national issues. This was followed by insightful keynote speeches delivered by renowned scholars Dr. Yeacob Arsano and Dr. Yonas Ashine from Addis Ababa University. The speakers delved into the journey of Ethiopian intellectuals, their contributions and the challenges they faced during various regimes.
The keynote speakers also underscored the pressing need for intellectuals to make practical commitments that foster sustainable development, uphold constitutionalism, promote modernity, and preserve continuity. The speakers also stated the current intellectuals category falls by two i.e. some are passionate about power and others focus on academics and research. The latter, most of them think that they are mandated solely to do research and laboratory work targeting only being a professor, these are prisoners of their intellectual desires. Due to this, they became monastic intellectuals. The keynote speakers also challenged the intellectual community to actively seek solutions that bring peace, reconciliation, and end to conflicts.
Group Discussions and Presentations: Intellectuals as Problem-Solvers
Following the keynote speeches, participants were divided into groups and tasked with addressing the critical question: "What can and should Ethiopian intellectuals do to change the status quo and positively influence the future of the country?" The groups engaged in lively discussions and presented their findings, covering considerable areas:
Intellectuals as Problem Solvers:Participants underlined the expectation for intellectuals to actively contribute to finding solutions to Ethiopia's challenges, recognizing their potential to provide insightful analyses and propose effective solutions.
Individual and Collective Initiatives:Intellectuals are encouraged to take proactive steps, both as individuals and groups, to address national issues. This included initiating grassroots movements, engaging in community outreach, and advocating for social change.
Genuine, Neutral, and Creative Engagement: Participants stressed the importance of discharging their responsibilities with authenticity, neutrality, and creativity. Intellectuality was seen as a platform for fostering open dialogue, promoting critical thinking, and embracing diverse perspectives.
Engaging with Government Bodies: Intellectuals were called upon to bridge the gap between academia and government, seeking to alter perspectives about their roles and collaboratively address problems. This involves engaging in constructive dialogue with policymakers, providing expert advice, and participating in policy formulation processes.
Strategic Foresight: Participants recognized the significance of strategic thinking and planning for intellectuals to effectively shape Ethiopia's future. This encompasses anticipating emerging trends, developing long-term visions, and formulating actionable strategies for sustainable development.
Trust in the Process: Intellectuals are urged to trust the process of change and actively engage in dialogue sessions, recognizing that progress often requires sustained effort and collective action.
Research findings to inform policy decisions: Engaging in research that tackles real-world problems was identified as a crucial task for intellectuals. This includes conducting empirical research, generating data-driven insights, and applying research findings to inform policy decisions.
Reality-Based Suggestions: Participants highlighted the importance of providing suggestions grounded in Ethiopian reality. This comprises understanding the historical, cultural, and socioeconomic factors shaping the country's challenges.
Developing Empathy: Intellectuals were encouraged to cultivate empathy and consider the needs and perspectives of all Ethiopians. This involves listening to diverse voices, accepting the root causes of societal issues, and advocating for marginalized communities.
Breaking the Silence: Participants emphasized the need for intellectuals to be courageous, risk-takers and break the silence on critical issues. This consists of speaking out against injustice, challenging harmful narratives, and promoting responsible citizenship.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways:
In conclusion, the intellectual dialogues emphasized the importance of making an influence to positively change things by sharing knowledge and experience. It was also recommended that intellectuals engage in discussion forums on national and other related issues on a large scale and with a wide range of issues. Moreover, advocacy, setting agendas, and networking among intellectuals were raised as the essential ways forward.
The key takeaways from these dialogues include:
Intellectuals possess the power to positively influence Ethiopia's political and development trajectory.
Proactive and constructive engagement with the government and other stakeholders are crucial for real change.
Intellectuals should establish means of networking and communication channels to advocate for solutions to the challenges Ethiopia has faced.
Call to Action:
CECOE and Dialogue Ethiopia will continue organizing similar forums and call on all Ethiopian intellectuals to join the discussions and actively contribute their fair share to shape a better future for the country.
The Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Elections (CECOE) hosted a National Dialogue Agenda Collection Forum on September 5, 2023, at the Magnolia Hotel in Addis Ababa. The forum was attended by leaders and representatives from over 65 civil society organizations (CSOs) that operate in all regions and city administrations.
The forum was opened by Abera Hailemariam, the Executive Director of CECOE. He welcomed the participants and thanked them for their commitment. He also highlighted the importance of CSOs' involvement in the identification of the agenda to be submitted to the National Dialogue Commission.
An opening remark was made by Dr. Moges Demisse, a representative from the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council (ECSOC). Dr. Moges called on CSO representatives to actively set their agenda in the dialogue process. He said that “Ethiopian civil society organizations should move from receiving to setting agenda”.
participants were broken into seven groups to identify the root causes of the difference in fundamental national issues and the topics for the national dialogue as well as current issues stemming from the past that can be solved in a sustainable manner and ensure lasting peace. Having identified what it thinks are fundamental national issues, each group presented its list of agenda to the plenary session. Some of the issues identified include.
Constitutional issues
Issues related to history and nation-building
Issues of self-administration, identity, and governance
Good governance problems
Problems related to the implementation of the provisions of the constitution
Current Conditions
Various issues
Upon the mandate given by the participants, the CECOE Secretariate organized issues forwarded by the groups into one document and submitted it to the ECSOC.
