Regional Reports - the European External Action Service
Regional Reports - the European External Action Service Regional Reports - the European External Action Service
parents and community members extended more supports for the programme, while government wanted to assist expansion of the coverage. Then the CB Office wrote a letter endorsing a funding proposal of the founder (Afera Alemu) for consideration by the UNICEF regional office in Gambella. Accordingly, the regional Education Bureau endorsed the proposal and is scheduled to be supported by UNICEF. On the other hand, some of the NSA consulted expressed the concern that lack of skilled and experienced counterparts in the regional and local government structures is hindering or affecting the quality of cooperation and dialogue. As a result, for example, projects of NSA are treated not as integral parts of the overall development endeavour, and this leads to reduced cooperation in facilitating smooth operation. Under the given regional context this is naturally expected, and both state and NSA should be supported to facilitate sharing of experiences from within and without the region. The BOFED has plan of developing regional guideline for government-NGO collaboration and establishing regular forum for dialogue. It would be beneficial if this endeavour is made participatory and all inclusive. 7. Engagement in Policy Dialogue Much can not be said about the regional experiences in policy dialogue between NSA and the governmental counterparts. The nature of project activities implemented are fragmented, hence potentials of compiling information and lessons having policy-level relevance is low. As formality, sector bureaus extend invitations and solicit participation of relevant NSA segments. For example, the Education Bureau invites NGOs and the Teachers Association to participate in the annual education forum. But, so far participating NSA did not use the opportunity to initiate evidence-based dialogue on the performance of the education sector programme. Because of the status of organization, membership-based Associations of Youth and Women and other local level CSOs, so far, are not involved in Woreda and Regional Council meetings. Despite these current contexts, the following perspective from the deputy head of BOFED points the evolving appreciation on the importance of policy dialogue by NSA. Since resources are limited, government can not try-out or venture into all kinds of alternatives. On the other hand NSA are courageous in taking risks and experimenting with alternatives. If they succeed in demonstrating better results, government goes along with in promoting and upscaling. Hence, we would like to see more of such actors in the region. Ato Oman Omulu, D/Head of BOFED. To facilitate effective policy dialogue supports are needed for action researching, sectoral networking and for regularizing forums for discussion between the key actors. 8. Engagement in Political Dialogue Following the bloody conflict of, 2003 the regional government has sought the support of NSA and the regional intelligentsia to assist the process of conflict transformation. In the process two NSA actors, GPDC and GIA were formed, and have participated to varying scale in arbitration and facilitating dialogue. It looks the initial momentum is not maintained, and both organizations have not scaled-up or intensified their engagements. 140
Both organizations usually get the invitations to observe Council meetings. In addition, they have both the constituency and government access to systematically initiate political dialogue. It is appropriate that due support is provided to the organizations to facilitate political dialogue. It was learned that a workshop aimed at sharing findings of research work coordinated by ACORD on the regional conflict was last minute cancelled by the regional government from taking place. Perhaps, the officials wouldn't have taken such action if one of the regional organizations were on the front. We have accomplished a lot in cooling-down tempers and in the normalization of life after the conflict. ….. But, we admit that the root cause is yet to be addressed. Ato Jobi Omad, Director, GPDC 9. Internal Organisation and Resources Even the membership-based NSA are not able to mobilize subscriptions from members - GPDC founders not having financial commitments, Youth association have no and teachers association …. The few regional NGOs are not active - no strategic or multi-year programmes; no project agreements with government; and no active engagement with other NSA (for example with international NGOs). The international NGOs in the region are mostly direct implementing - hence the interdependence between the regional, national and international NSAs is undeveloped. (exceptions are ACORD and to some extent, Pact Ethiopia) Because of weak support base, some of the NSA are highly dependent on regional government. This may affect the quality of dialogue. 10. Capacity Building Needs o Opportunities for learning on aspects of organizational development; including governance, constituency strengthening, resource mobilization; accountability are not available for the majority of NSAs, o Most NSAs are concentrated in Gambella Town and the surrounding Zones - outreach! o MBAs not able to mobilize the subscriptions - indicators of commitment or support missing o Already organized groupings of Youth and Women not strategically linked to the forming regional Associations of Youth and Women respectively, o Founders of GPDC not contributing financially; and there is no plan of co-opting other relevant NSA as members, o Domestic resource mobilization for NSA activities not developed, 141
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- Page 93 and 94: � Historical roles, linkages, leg
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- Page 107 and 108: The Region has executed the Woreda
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- Page 113 and 114: Source: Based on FSPC&DPP Office Da
- Page 115 and 116: On the part of NGOs, the engagement
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- Page 119 and 120: Furthermore, some regional NSAs are
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- Page 125 and 126: Reg. registered Asso. of PLWHA = 3
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Both organizations usually get <strong>the</strong> invitations to observe Council meetings. In addition, <strong>the</strong>y have<br />
both <strong>the</strong> constituency and government access to systematically initiate political dialogue. It is<br />
appropriate that due support is provided to <strong>the</strong> organizations to facilitate political dialogue. It was<br />
learned that a workshop aimed at sharing findings of research work coordinated by ACORD on<br />
<strong>the</strong> regional conflict was last minute cancelled by <strong>the</strong> regional government from taking place.<br />
Perhaps, <strong>the</strong> officials wouldn't have taken such action if one of <strong>the</strong> regional organizations were on<br />
<strong>the</strong> front.<br />
We have accomplished a lot in cooling-down tempers and in <strong>the</strong> normalization of life after <strong>the</strong><br />
conflict. ….. But, we admit that <strong>the</strong> root cause is yet to be addressed.<br />
Ato Jobi Omad, Director, GPDC<br />
9. Internal Organisation and Resources<br />
Even <strong>the</strong> membership-based NSA are not able to mobilize subscriptions from members - GPDC<br />
founders not having financial commitments, Youth association have no and teachers association<br />
….<br />
The few regional NGOs are not active - no strategic or multi-year programmes; no project<br />
agreements with government; and no active engagement with o<strong>the</strong>r NSA (for example with<br />
international NGOs).<br />
The international NGOs in <strong>the</strong> region are mostly direct implementing - hence <strong>the</strong> interdependence<br />
between <strong>the</strong> regional, national and international NSAs is undeveloped. (exceptions are ACORD<br />
and to some extent, Pact Ethiopia)<br />
Because of weak support base, some of <strong>the</strong> NSA are highly dependent on regional government.<br />
This may affect <strong>the</strong> quality of dialogue.<br />
10. Capacity Building Needs<br />
o Opportunities for learning on aspects of organizational development; including<br />
governance, constituency streng<strong>the</strong>ning, resource mobilization; accountability are not<br />
available for <strong>the</strong> majority of NSAs,<br />
o Most NSAs are concentrated in Gambella Town and <strong>the</strong> surrounding Zones - outreach!<br />
o MBAs not able to mobilize <strong>the</strong> subscriptions - indicators of commitment or support<br />
missing<br />
o Already organized groupings of Youth and Women not strategically linked to <strong>the</strong> forming<br />
regional Associations of Youth and Women respectively,<br />
o Founders of GPDC not contributing financially; and <strong>the</strong>re is no plan of co-opting o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
relevant NSA as members,<br />
o Domestic resource mobilization for NSA activities not developed,<br />
141
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