As part of the EURECS II project, funded by the European Union and Germany, the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia, supported by the European Center for Electoral Support (ECES), has organized a two-day training workshop from September 3rd to 4th, 2025 in Addis Ababa. The session was officially opened by Mr. Teklit Yimesel, Board Member of NEBE, who expressed appreciation to ECES for its continued support. He emphasized that strengthening the capacity building of election officials in civic and voter education remains one of NEBE’s key priorities.
The primary objective of the training is to equip NEBE HQ and regional offices from the Civic and Voter Education CVE NEBE personnel, with knowledge and skills for the implementation of effective civic and voter education initiatives. Over the two-day program, participants are trained in facilitation and public speaking essentials, leadership skills and core electoral topics including electoral cycle, election fragility, conflict prevention strategy, as well as mediation and negotiation techniques. The sessions are facilitated by experts from NEBE and ECES. Fabio Bargiacchi, Founder and Executive Director of ECES, illustrated the new training curriculum that will be delivered also in Ethiopia to NEBE and CSOs in relation to to “Leadership & Artificial Intelligence Skills for Electoral Stakeholders” as well as the activities implemented together with the African Union Commission with funding from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in support of the Peer Learning Missions in Malawi, Tanzania, Cameroon and Cote D’Ivoire of the "Association of African Electoral Authorithies" of which NEBE holds the Vice Presidency and will participate to several of these missions.
LEAD AI is an innovative training programme combining leadership development and the responsible application of artificial intelligence (AI) within electoral contexts, developed by the European Centre for Electoral Support (It builds upon the proven and copyrighted LEAD methodology1 (“Leadership and Conflict Management Skills for Electoral Stakeholders”) implemented by ECES since 2010 and extends it by integrating comprehensive knowledge on AI concepts, applications, risks, and governance in relation to electoral and political processes.
The programme aims to strengthen leadership, communication, and mediation skills, while equipping participants with practical understanding and tools to navigate the growing role of AI technologies across the electoral cycle. This dual approach prepares electoral actors to lead strategically and apply AI responsibly, ensuring electoral integrity and public trust.
In July 2025, a delegation of ECES led by its Founder and Executive Director Fabio Bargiacchi, visited the Universal Exposition in Osaka. One of the Expo’s central subthemes—Artificial Intelligence—provided an invaluable platform to reflect on how emerging technologies can be aligned with public service values such as inclusivity, transparency, and accountability. This concept note draws inspiration also from that experience, reinforcing our commitment to position AI not only as a technological innovation but also as a tool for strengthening leadership, trust, and democratic governance for electoral processes.
8 September 2025
