Regional Reports - the European External Action Service

� Supporting basic education - The Tigray Development Association (TDA) is the lead
organization in terms of the magnitude of support for basic education. This is not to
undermine the innovative ACCESS programme promoted by AAE in parts of the region.
Though not listed in the DPP data base, the leadership of TDA claim to have constructed
and/or upgraded over 100 primary schools during the last 15 years 7 . The continued
participation of TDA is necessitated by the poor infrastructural standards of most of the
primary schools in the region and the inadequacy of local government and community
resources for upgrading. About one-third 8 of the existing primary schools still need major
upgrading and TDA remains dedicated to support the endeavour. In this regard, mobilizing
the Diaspora is one of the effective strategies being promoted by TDA. During the time of the
field visit TDA was coordinating construction of 20 primary schools financed by Diaspora
groups.
TDA is also involved in implementing the USAID supported Basic Education Strategic
Objective (BESO) programme, focusing on community-government partnership in basic
education services delivery, and on quality and equity of services. Through the programme,
TDA has reached about 400 schools and with a shortly anticipated new-phase of support from
USAID it will be implementing a PTA capacity building initiative in 150 non-BESO schools.
When it comes to fulfilling interests of members and supporters, TDA admits that there is a
mismatch between expectations of some members and priorities of the Association. These
members want TDA to accomplish some-thing in their places of origin or residence (What
have you done to my town? my school? my village?, etc.). On the other hand, TDA primarily
works in the less-served parts of Tigray (equity). This situation seems to have fuelled the
formation of many localized development associations in the region. As if to align with the
trend, TDA has repositioned its role as a facilitator to initiatives of both the Diaspora and the
localized NSA groupings in the region. For many reasons, this repositioning process should
be encouraged and supported.
4. The dynamics in the sector at regional level
The consistent increase in number of regional organizations forming in successive years (Chart 1
below) and regional networking are the two major dynamics observed. Increase in regional
organizations is boosted by the registration of Iddirs and their unions (refer Chart 2, overleaf).
Out of the total 224 organizations registered since 2004, 125 are Iddirs and their unions. On the
other hand, 47 organizations are RNGOs established for participation in development and social
services for the poor (charitable objectives). The motivation comes from possibilities of resource
mobilization (from within and without) and the desires of participation in local level socioeconomic
processes (e.g. support for OVC, the sick and elderly).
7
Discussion with Ato Woldai Kidanu, Executive Director & Ato Asmelash Asrat, Head of Projects Dept.
8
500 out of the 1600
101