Civil Society Support Program II - FCDO

The Civil Society Support Programme (CSSP) is one of the most crucial programmes in Ethiopia for civic space and CSO support. Through its approach (both in the previous phase during CSSP1 and in the current one CSSP2), the programme was enabling CSOs to implement projects that helped them attain their mission and goals, promote, and advocate human rights, maintain, and expand civil society space by engaging stakeholders and focusing on current situations and proactive approaches. CSSP2 commenced in August 2018, led by the British Council in consortium with Social Development Direct (SDD) and PACT. It is supported by multiple donors (or Development Partners): Sweden, Ireland, Norway and the UKs Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). This donor consortium is led by FCDO, while it is also Sweden's agreement partner in this contribution. The agreement arrangement in this contribution is unique in its nature where Sweden has signed two sets of agreements: 1)Specific agreement on delegated partnership with the lead donor (FCDO); and 2) Delegated cooperation arrangement with all members of the donor consortium to the CSSP 2. Since its inception in 2018, 173 CSO partners have received technical, organisational, and financial support from CSSP2, operating throughout the country. CSO partners in turn have increased capacity development (CD) support to 4,734 CSOs/CBOs. The programme provided organisational and thematic Capacity Development support in its thematic areas and strategies to 1,049 relevant government representatives, 21% of which were female. Likewise, 15,829 (6,432 female) duty bearers at all levels received CD support from CSO partners. Representatives from the ministries and line bureaus of education, youth and sport, women and social affairs, health, finance and justice, as well as ACSO (Authority of Civil Society Organisations) participated in CD support from CSSP2 and its CSO partners. The capacity development interventions, which have been provided to government counterparts both by CSSP2 and its CSO partners, have also improved their willingness to uptake policy options recommended by CSO partners. The grant making and capacity development endeavors of CSSP2 to CSO partners has equipped them with the required resources and technical capacities to influence policy. As a new administration took office in 2018 in Ethiopia, the government introduced significant changes to civil societys regulatory framework through a new Civil Society Law (March 12,?2019), which opened up the space for civic engagement. CSSP2 delivered key support in realising this legislative change, and took the opportunity provided by the broadly permissive law to expand its reach and engage with civil society organisations across the full spectrum of work on rights and advocacy and to spearhead the establishment of a more enabling environment for CSOs at national and regional level. As shown in the Final Programme Reports of the CSSP II, some of the major achievement through this programme can be summarised as follows: CSSP2 has had a key role in the enactment of the Federal CSO law extending its support both to the CSOs and the Government. ACSO (Authority of Civil Society Organizations) has prepared 17 directives to implement the new CSO Proclamation (Proclamation no 1113/2019) that has provided the legal grounds for a more open CSO space. Prior to the approval of these directives, a public hearing was held with CSOs and other relevant stakeholders. CSSP2 has supported CSOs and ECSOC to hold workshops to collect input from the sector before the ACSO Board discusses and approves the directives. According to the CSSP II report, 13 directives have been approved, out of which four are under implementation since November 2021 and 8 of which are being implemented and 5 of which have been approved but are awaiting registration with the MoJ. In the third week of May 2023 the remaining eight directives have been submitted for ACSO Board approval. CSSP2 supported ACSO Board meetings to discuss the draft directives, get clarification from ACSO and provide consultants who drafted the directives before approval. Through CSSP2 supported projects, feedback from stakeholders have been solicited, consolidated, and shared with relevant regional government authorities. Accordingly, Benishangul Gumuz, Sidama, Gambella, Somali, South West Ethiopia Peoples Region, Oromia and South Ethiopia have enacted their own regional CSO laws while the regional states of Afar, Amhara, Harari, and SNNPRs have made progress towards enacting their regional CSO proclamations. Furthermore, as part of its advocacy effort, CSSP2 has initiated, and extended its support for the establishment and smooth operation of the ACSO Federal Regional Governments Forum which convenes three times a year to share experiences and discuss and facilitate a better civil society space- legislative and operational. The rationale behind the establishment of this Forum is to facilitate focused discussion with heads and vice heads of regional mandate bureaus to the registration and control of CSOs. It also reflects on the learning from each other at the Federal - Regional Forum meetings and on how the mandated and sector bureaus can improve the regional CSO legislative and operational environment towards promotion of the rights of association and freedom of expression. CSSP2 played pivotal role in the establishment (and operation) of the CSOs apex body called the ECSOC (Ethiopian Civil Society Organisation Council). This independent institution governed by the full participation of all CSOs and that represents and coordinates the CSO sector helped Ethiopian CSOs to be vibrant organisations capable of playing a significant role in advancing economic and social development, and more importantly to promote democratisation and good governance. Through the support of the CSSP II, BGDAN (Benishangul Gumuz Development Associations Network) in collaboration with TBCS (Tesfa Bilichita Charitable Society to People Living with HIV) and RTG (Redeem the Generation) worked with members of Assosa town council to articulate and enforce laws against substance abuse (mainly khat). As a result, the Assosa town council adopted the towns Khat Control directive/bylaw in August 2021. This directive is being implemented in Assosa town (Woreda 1 and Woreda 2 Administrations) with 10 Kebeles. CSSP2 provided capacity development support, grants, and technical support to Initiative for Living Community Action (ILCA) and its coalition members, CASE (Culture and Art Society of Ethiopia), to address social inclusion issues in South Western Region of Ethiopia. The programme also provided capacity and technical support, as well as grants to the Konso Development Association (KDA), a local CSO, that worked on several aspects of development. As a result KDA worked with the regional authorities and the community in Konso area to address womens right to equitable access, use, and control over land and GBV related issues. There are amazing change stories captured in the Final Programme Report showing the results in this intervention.

The intended impact of CSSP II is contributing to inclusive and accountable governance, and an improved environment for the promotion and protection of the human rights of all Ethiopians through: 1. Increasing the capacity of CSOs to become active organizations and capable advocates on CSSP2 thematic areas. 2. Enhancing citizen-state engagement on CSSP2 strategic themes