Ethio Think Tank Group

18/09/2025

CSOs Urged to Unite for Proactive Peacebuilding at National Conference
Sept. 16 2025- Civil society organizations (CSOs) in Ethiopia need to play a critical and unified role in national peacebuilding efforts, a message that was at the core of a day-long national peace conference held recently. The event concluded with a nine-point proposal designed to guide peacebuilding strategies for the year ahead.
A key takeaway from the conference organized by Ethiopian Civil Society Organization Council (ECSOC) was the need for CSOs to move from a reactive stance to a proactive one. Instead of simply responding to conflict, participants agreed that it is vital to step up efforts in early warning and response systems. This proactive approach, they believe, is essential for de-escalating tensions before they turn violent.
More than 100 participants, including the Ethio Think Tank Group (ETTG), attended the conference held on Sept. 16 2025 in Addis Ababa. It emphasized the importance of integrating peacebuilding with both development and humanitarian aid. By setting peace as a central agenda, CSOs can better strategize actionable ways to build sustainable peace.
Collaboration was highlighted as a cornerstone of this new approach. The conference called for greater cooperation not only between CSOs and other stakeholders but also for deliberate trust-building work between communities, the state, and even among the CSOs themselves.
The importance of inclusivity was also stressed, with a call to ensure that all sections of the community such as women are actively involved in peacebuilding efforts.
Another critical priority identified was the engagement of media, including digital media, to effectively communicate and support peacebuilding messages. Finally, the conference underscored that peacebuilding must be viewed as a continuous process, calling for the institutionalization of these efforts to ensure their long-term success.
At the conclusion of the conference, ECSOC President Ahmed Hussein emphasized that civil society organizations have a vital responsibility to foster a conducive environment for peacebuilding from the grassroots to the national level and to stand firmly in addressing the ongoing conflict in the country.
“ETTG is committed to advancing sustainable peace and inclusive governance by tapping into the expertise of academics as those are among core pillars of its mission and identity.

11/03/2025

7 March 2025: Members of the Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Elections (CECSOE) and its consortium members including Ethio Think Tank Group (ETTG) commemorated International Women’s Day by emphasizing the advancement of women’s involvement in electoral processes.

The deeply entrenched societal biases continue to hinder women’s political engagement. A research presentation at the event organized by CECSOE illuminated this concern, revealing that over 100 incidents of violence against women were documented during the sixth general election. These violent acts deter women from participating.

To eradicate violence against women in elections, the study proposed significant recommendations. Enhanced legislation and policies are essential. Mandatory gender quotas could facilitate more equitable representation by reserving a specific number of seats for women.

The research also emphasized the need for implementing targeted voter education and increasing women's electoral involvement by broadening financial incentives for political participation that nominated more female candidates.

Representatives of collation members discussed and shared views enriching the study on the event marked under the theme “Everyone, Everywhere, Let’s Accelerate Women’s Leadership”.

11/03/2025

CECSOE strengthening efforts to ensure election reflects will of people
7 March 2025: Collation of Ethiopian Civil Society Organization for Elections (CECSOE) is poised to enhance its role in ensuring that elections are conducted in a manner that reflects the will of the populace and adheres to democratic principles.

In its strategy for the current year presented to the fourth general assembly , CECSOE intends to broaden civic and voter education in partnership with member civil society organizations, monitor the anticipated local elections’ transparency and fairness, and implement preparatory activities for the observation of the 7th general election.

The collation in which Ethio Think Tank Group is a member, plans to undertake various research and advocacy initiatives concerning the electoral process, in addition to bolstering the capacity of both the collation and its member organizations.

Additionally, it aims to improve coordination with electoral stakeholders and mobilize resources to achieve its intended objectives for its mission.

Among the significant achievements of the collation during the concluded budget year are the development of a civic education manual, which is now available in five local languages, as well as the monitoring and reporting on dozens of selected media outlets.

Furthermore, to enhance electoral engagement through research and advocacy, a weekly radio program titled ‘Her Voice’, focusing on women's political involvement, was broadcast, accompanied by a gender audit of the sixth general election.

During CECSOE's fourth General Assembly, two board members were elected to replace those who were inactive, and five civil society organizations that applied for membership were approved for acceptance.

CECSOE was established in 2019 and has been actively engaging in electoral process in the country coordinating civil society organizations including in the sixth general election.

10/12/2024

ETTG participates in a panel discussion

The Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO) hosted a panel discussion on the 8th of December at Ghion Hotel on the role of CSOs in building culture of democracy. The event took place as part of CSOs Week 2024. The panel discussion aimed at promoting democratic values. Opening the session, ACSO Deputy Director General, Fasikaw Molla, underscored “The new CSO Proclamation aims at building the culture of democracy”, and the Vice President of the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council (ECSOC), Ahmed Hussen, underlined “CSOs play a pivotal role in fostering democratic culture, particularly in contexts like Ethiopia where democracy is still evolving.” ETTG, as a key participant in this event, has highlighted opportunities created by the current legal regime for the operation of CSOs, as well as the challenges associated with potentially restricting democratic spaces, the obstacles posed by movement and activities due to conflicts, and the lack of funding.

11/09/2024

Happy Ethiopian New Year 2017!

As we step into this Ethiopian new year, let us embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. At Ethio Think Tank Group, we remain committed to fostering peace, democratization, and respect for human rights for our community and country.

May this year bring us closer to our goals, inspire new ideas, and strengthen our partnerships. Together, we can make a meaningful impact and drive positive change.

Wishing you all a prosperous and fulfilling New Year!

Ethio Think Tank Group

🌼🌻🌻🌼

09/09/2024

Ethio Think Tank Group (ETTG) recently engaged in two forum opportunities. The first, held from 5-7 September 2024, focused on discussing the draft revised right-to-information (access to information) proclamation led by the Institution of the Ombudsman. ETTG also joined a training session on a human rights-based approach, policy, monitoring, and advocacy hosted by Justice for All-PFE, ACSO, and CHERO from 28-29 August 2024. Both events took place in Adama. ETTG's active involvement in these events reflects its commitment to shaping policy discussions and practices.

12/08/2024

ECSOC devises a three-year strategy for CSOs to operate freely and efficiently

The Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council (ECSOC) has developed a three-year strategy to enhance the space for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and self-regulation, fostering a more secure and supportive environment for them to operate freely and efficiently.

The council's priority focus areas of the council will be elevating the voice of COSs as key partners in national development and governance and strengthening unity and collaboration within the sector.

Speaking on the occasion of the Fifth General Assembly held on 8 August 2024 at Inter-Luxury Hotel where the Ethio Think Tank Group (ETTG) is a part, the president of ECSOC, Dr. Nigussu Legesse, highlighted the challenges faced during its initial operational years, including the impact of Covid-19 and the unstable situation leading to unprecedented humanitarian needs.

He stressed the urgency of developing a strategy with stakeholders to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Dr. Nigussu commended the positive working relationship the council had with the Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSOs), the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission, and donors specifically the European Union.

The 300-member Fifth General Assembly of ECSOC in which ETTG is a member approved the 2023 performance report that focused among others on the ex*****on of more than 50 events aimed at clarifying its mandate and consolidating its roles, leading advocacy on national development and production of position papers.

Fasikaw Mola, Deputy Director General of ASCO, said the number of CSOs has been increasing and so has their contribution to the humanitarian response, democracy, peace-building National Dialogue, and Transitional Justice initiative.

Monitoring CSOs to ensure their activities comply with the law is one of the responsibilities of the authority to promote transparency.

He said a total of 1,719 CSOs ceased to exist as legal entities recently due to non-compliance. Among the total, 1,514 of them failed to complete the mandatory re-registration process while the remaining 205 were unable to submit reports for consecutive periods.

During the current budget year, the authority has also identified 614 CSOs who are required to submit their annual report and it has issued public notice so that they fulfill the requirement.

Speaking on the issue, Dr. Nigussu mentioned that working with a limited budget and time in the current situation is a difficult task. He expressed concern over the organizations ceasing to exist as legal entities, finding it disheartening, and indicating a need for further study of the sector to understand the causes to guide CSOs.

The ECSOC was formed in December 2020, consisting of organizations, consortia and associations to represent and coordinate the civil society sector, enact the code of conduct for the sector and device enforcement mechanisms and advise ACSO regarding CSOs regarding registration and administration.

ETTG has been an active and proud member of ECSOC.

17/07/2024

This call may be relevant to some of you.

Sharing knowledge, experience and skills

24/06/2024

ETTG, Civil Society Organizations commit to ensuring people's rights by supporting the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project

22 June 2024

Red and yellow flames dance and spark from the firewood, drifting upward in a circular manner around the enjera baking oven made of clay. The intense blaze and sparks from the fire cast vivid shadows on a woman's face as she manages the baking process. Meanwhile, three children struggle to read their exercise books under the dim light of a kerosene lamp, which seems to illuminate only for itself, emitting harmful particulate matter.

Those were among the photos in the presentation slides by a scholar from one of the universities in Ethiopia for a gathering of people in a consultative meeting with selected Civil Society Organizations in Ethiopia, including ETTG, on 22 June 2024 in Addis Ababa organized by the GERD public mobilization secretariat office. “This was exactly also the recollection of my childhood as how my mother used to do cooking of enjera”, says the presenter who was born and brought up in Addis Ababa and is now in early middle age.

The condition for most people in the country remains unchanged. It's clear that the shortage of energy resources has a significant impact on various issues, including education, the environment, human health, socioeconomic status, and gender equality.

GERD is a grand green project believed to alleviate poverty and improve the living standard of citizens. The project which stands presently at 96 percent requires completion and its sustainability be ensured through environmental rehabilitation efforts.

According to Dr. Aregawi Berhie, the Director General for the Office of the National Council for the Coordination of the Public Participation of the GERD, the essence of the dam lies in justice, equality, and the spirit of believing 'it will be possible'.

At the GERD support mobilization forum, the director addressed representatives of Civil Society Organizations and other stakeholders, emphasizing the ongoing support of the project in various capacities. The director urged continued involvement from all stakeholders to ensure the successful completion and long-term sustainability of the project.

During the forum, it was highlighted that approximately 50 billion Birr is essential to ensure the dam is fully operational. It is crucial to intensify integrated basin development efforts to generate employment opportunities and undertake extensive environmental rehabilitation work in the river basin.

The civil society organization has made a contribution of 55 million Birr in resources so far. Moving forward, they need to enhance their efforts to serve as a bridge between the public and the government and take the initiative to implement basin development activities. Their continued commitment and increased involvement will be crucial in driving positive change and progress in the community.

The forum emphasizes their collaboration with the coordination office on capacity-building activities and participation in the green legacy program. Civil society organizations undertaking projects outside the environmental sector should explore opportunities to incorporate environmental protection issues.

The dam, equipped with 13 turbines to produce 5.15 gigawatts of power, is expected to have far-reaching benefits. It will play a crucial role in reducing deforestation, enhancing water supply, positively impacting the microclimate, and minimizing evaporation compared to downstream water storage. Additionally, the dam will foster regional integration and bring about significant economic advantages.

13/05/2024

Dear followers, our ETTG website is now up and running. You are invited to visit and recommend to others.

1. Support research, training and consultancy undertakings for evidence based policy and decision making by the government of Ethiopia with focus on, but is not limited to, peace building, democratic governance, state-building, and cultural diversity.

13/04/2024

The NDI provided training to selected CSOs to enhance their parliamentary engagement. ETTG appreciated being part of the program, which took place on March 30th and 31st, 2024, in Addis Ababa. The sessions covered democratic processes, human rights advocacy, and peacebuilding. ETTG gained valuable insights and skills for engaging with parliamentarians, improving their ability to advocate for democracy, human rights, and peacebuilding.

13/04/2024

https://t.me/ettg_662020/43?single