Strategic Plan 2023–2027
Five goals for credible, inclusive elections
Our five-year strategic plan, approved by the General Assembly of member organizations, sets out how CECOE and its members will strengthen civic and voter education, citizen observation, electoral reform, member capacity and partnerships from 2023 to 2027.
✓ Approved by the CECOE General Assembly
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Strategic Plan 2020–2022Archive · our first plan · PDF · 897 KB↓
From review to approval
The plan updates CECOE’s first strategic plan. It was built with members across the country and approved by the General Assembly.
- 1Review2022
The first Strategic Plan (2020–2022), the evaluation of the 6th General Election observation project and CECOE’s internal reports were reviewed.
- 2Analyse2022
A situational analysis covered the external environment (PESTEL), the CSO sector, CECOE’s internal systems (McKinsey 7S), stakeholders and a SWOT.
- 3Consult2022
Members and stakeholders shaped the plan in consultation workshops in Addis Ababa, Hawassa and Bahir Dar.
- 4Validate8 November 2022
More than 40 member organizations and stakeholders reviewed the draft at a validation workshop in Addis Ababa.
- 5ApproveGeneral Assembly
The General Assembly of member organizations, CECOE’s highest decision-making body, approved the Strategic Plan 2023–2027.
Results of the first plan, 2020–2022
The new plan builds on what CECOE achieved, and learned, during its first strategic period.
Four themes, one first election cycle
- Civic and voter education through I-Vote in four languages and member campaigns.
- Comprehensive citizen observation of the 6th General Election, with the Apollo SMS reporting system, and the first civil society observation of a referendum (Sidama, 2019).
- Advocacy on NEBE directives, validation workshops with about 150 participants and a forum on CSOs’ role in the National Dialogue.
- Research and capacity building, including assessments of NEBE’s voter education and observer accreditation directives.
Challenges that shaped the new plan
- Conflict, insecurity and a shifting election calendar disrupted observation and voter education.
- Late accreditation and badge delivery made timely observer deployment hard.
- Funding was uncertain and the resource base too narrow.
- Regional and zonal structures and staff capacity were too thin for a national coalition.
Three strategic issues
A situational analysis and the regional consultations identified three issues the plan must address.
Enhance and expand our programme areas
Voter education and observation stay central, with at least one general and one local election and possible referendums due. CECOE adds work between elections: dialogue, conflict mitigation, peacebuilding and monitoring the political environment for early warning.
Build the capacity of member CSOs
Equip members with skills in democracy, governance, peacebuilding and human rights, help them put proper systems in place, welcome new members and create structures at regional and zonal level.
Mobilize resources and collaborate
Diversify funding through partnerships, donors, income-generating activities and member fees, and link CECOE with like-minded networks in the region and beyond.
Where CECOE stood in 2022
- Experienced leaders and a professional Secretariat
- A clear vision and mission that unites members
- Ability to network and attract CSOs
- Digital media to reach citizens
- No up-to-date database of member capacity and coverage
- Uneven capacity and participation among members
- Narrow, undiversified resource base
- Gaps in regional structures and international links
- A more open legal environment for civil society
- Good working relations with ACSO and NEBE
- Interested national and international partners
- Young Ethiopians moving to social media
- A weak democratic political culture and intolerance
- Ethnic polarization of political actors and voters
- Conflict and internal displacement
- Strong competition for donor support
Vision, mission and values
Uphold democratic values to create a well-informed, empowered, responsive Ethiopian society.
To engage in voters’ and civic education, peacebuilding and dialogue, and election monitoring and observation through the coordination of Ethiopian civil society organizations, to promote free, fair, peaceful and transparent elections that contribute to the democratization of the country.
What the plan sets out to achieve
Each goal is broken into strategic objectives, with indicators that guide CECOE’s annual plans, projects and reporting.
Promote civic and voter education in collaboration with members
- 1.1Improve skills and knowledge in civic and voter education.
- 1.2Improve knowledge and skill on peacebuilding, dialogue, democracy and conflict early warning.
- 1.3Increase the participation of women, youth, persons with disabilities, IDPs and other marginalized groups in elections.
How progress is measured: Manuals prepared, people trained, citizens informed and the share of women, youth, persons with disabilities and IDPs taking part.
Enhance free, fair and transparent elections across the electoral cycle and referenda
- 2.1Improve knowledge and skill in election monitoring and observation.
- 2.2Reduce election malpractices throughout the election cycle.
- 2.3Decrease media-related malpractices during the election cycle.
How progress is measured: Observers trained and deployed, polling stations covered, reports acted on by NEBE and media outlets monitored.
Improve the electoral legal framework through research and advocacy
- 3.1Increase advocacy research to influence policy makers on election-related issues.
- 3.2Engage and collaborate with NEBE and other stakeholders on electoral issues.
How progress is measured: Research produced and shared, policy dialogues held, stakeholders reached and action taken on findings.
Strengthen CECOE and member CSOs’ capacity for effective delivery of its missions
- 4.1Improve the institutional capacity of CECOE.
- 4.2Increase the technical and institutional capacity of member CSOs.
- 4.3Strengthen and sustain the relationship between CECOE, its Board and member CSOs.
- 4.4Increase jointly run projects with member CSOs.
How progress is measured: Systems and manuals updated, member CSOs mapped and supported, Board and member meetings, and joint projects.
Improve collaboration and resource mobilization
- 5.1Explore and expand collaboration with election management bodies, international electoral associations and electoral support organizations.
- 5.2Promote CECOE.
- 5.3Diversify the resource base.
How progress is measured: Partnerships established, technical assistance secured, reports and newsletters issued, proposals developed and funds raised.
From strategy to change
A theory of change links CECOE’s strategies to its vision, while annual plans, regular reviews and risk management keep delivery on track.
Who checks progress, and when
- BoardEvery quarterReviews progress against the plan, causes of any deviation and solutions to difficulties.
- ManagementEvery monthManagement meetings chaired by the Executive Director track key performance indicators.
- TeamsEvery quarterEach team runs an operational plan within the Strategic Plan, reviewed and rolled forward quarterly.
- OrganizationEvery yearAn annual review compares results with targets and updates goals, measures and initiatives, alongside mid- and end-term evaluations.
What could get in the way
- Limited donor commitmentA resource mobilization strategy, staff training and careful budget monitoring.
- Shrinking civic spaceEngagement with parliamentarians, committees and government.
- Weak adherence to bylawsAwareness for member CSOs on the bylaws.
- Staff turnoverGood working conditions and a staff retention strategy.
Delivering the plan since 2023
Highlights from each goal. See What We Do for every project.