Our outreach focused on small, grass root organisations working on the topics of GBV and gender equality and women empowerment (GEWE). We tried an innovative approach of structural networking that included also organisations from remote parts of the country who find it often difficult to link up directly with the EU and other international advocates of gender equality – and we were taken aback by the positive resonance.

On 7-8 December 2022, around 45 activists and CSOs and informal organizations’ representatives based in remote areas of the country came to Addis Ababa to meet with local CSOs based in the capital, international NGOs, development cooperation agencies, UN agencies and institutional actors including EU Member States and the two EU Delegations based in Addis. The Delegation for bilateral relations with Ethiopia provided the conceptual framework, logistics and funding for the event.

The majority of our participants did not speak English – hence the importance of holding the event in a local language, and for the future – to do simultaneous interpretation in several local languages, using volunteers from among the participants in addition to professional interpreters. Some of our participants walked or took motorbike rides for hours to reach a main road that would allow them to come to Addis.

“It is the first time that we are being recognised like this, no one from international donors gave such an opportunity for a small organisation like ours before” – said one of the participants.

On day one, participants had a chance to listen to presentations in Amharic on how to apply for international funding and how to register their organisation and operate under the new legislation. Additionally, one of the well know local Ethiopian CSOs shared the story of their long-term work on protecting women’s rights. On day two, the participants held discussions in smaller groups on the priorities and challenges of working on GEWE and GBV topics in Ethiopia and grass root CSOs had a chance to share insights about their work.

Structured networking – new approach for better people-to-people connectivity!

In the afternoon, we held an innovative session of structured networking with around 120 bilateral short meetings (30 minutes) between smaller CSOs and international NGOs, institutional partners, international organisations.

Grass root organisations had a unique chance to meet bilaterally with the EU Delegation, UN agencies, international NGOs, African Union representatives, Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and well-established local CSOs to ask specific questions about possible cooperation, as well as exchange contact details. A day before, the small organisations themselves chose with which donors they want to meet, and EU Delegation to Ethiopia staff created a schedule of meetings.

"It was unbelievable I could talk face to face with all these organisations! This is exactly what Ethiopian civil society needs." said one representative from a small CSO.

This event proved that moving from visibility to people-to-people connectivity benefits everyone! By giving a platform to small organisations working on GEWE to speak with larger organisations and share their experience, provided them with a remarkable opportunity for partnerships, capacity building and gave them confidence that is so much needed to continue their important work in fighting for women and girls’ rights. A small facet, but the strong buy-in from our Member States colleagues confirmed Team Europe in practice in Ethiopia!