BY MISGANAW ASNAKE
ADDIS ABABA—Government of Great British stated that it is supporting Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Ethiopia to become active advocates in a bid to contribute to inclusive, transparent, accountable governance.
Under British Council, Civil society support program phase two (CSSP2) in Ethiopia, capacity building program for CSOs, is support institutional change, promoting civic space in Ethiopia to have better equitable and inclusive services in the nation. Such a promising move helps government address societal needs.
Open Societies in Sub-Saharan Africa Region of British Council Director, Richard Garrett told The Ethiopian Herald that the council is working and influencing to improve civic space for CSOs as well as create platform for effective civic engagement in various areas like gender equality in Ethiopia.
“The CSSP2 program works with CSOs in seven areas of the nation to address the issues revolving around women like inheriting land property. It is working with CSOs to help them build, improve, and strengthen their capacity to operate and address a range of hurdles,” he added.
“The environment for CSOs space has been changed quite substantially after 2018 proclamation of CSOs since the inception of the program. Currently, the program has reached 4,000 CSOs and both the government and CSO run activities in good progress.”
CSSP2 program would bring great change for civil society organizations and individuals as well as support selected CSOs organizationally, technically, financially with view to helping them, properly implementing projects on identified thematic areas like makingthe government accountable, influence its behavior, policies and practices, he opined.
Civil Society Support Programme phase II (CSSP2) conference, organized by British Council, was held recently under the theme “Towards a Better Civic Space: Opportunities and Challenges.”
Council said CSSP2 is a program designed to support Ethiopia’s civil society organizations to become active advocates to contributing in the creation of better atmosphere for the promotion and protection of human rights, and provide network platform for the government and development partners as well as the community in Ethiopia. After the successful completion of first CSSP1 phase, it has started CSSP2 phase in 2018 that is funded by UK, Ireland, Sweden and Norway, it was learnt.
The Ethiopian Herald June 4/2023
