The ‘European Response to Electoral Cycle Support in Ethiopia Phase II’ (EURECS II) project is implemented by ECES and funded by the European Union and German development cooperation via KfW, with a total budget of €14,050,000. The project is being implemented from 2 April 2025 to 1 April 2029.
The project aims to promote transparency, credibility and public confidence in the Ethiopian electoral process by strengthening the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), domestic election observation and the participation of vulnerable groups.
The project pursues three specific objectives: (SO1) to strengthen the NEBE’s capacity to organise credible and inclusive elections and to implement the lessons learnt from the 2021 electoral process in preparation for the 2026 general elections; (SO2) to strengthen domestic election observation throughout the electoral cycle, including mid-cycle elections, referendums and the voter and candidate registration phases; (SO3) to increase the participation of vulnerable groups, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), people with disabilities, female candidates, young people and first-time voters.
EURECS II supports the NEBE through capacity-building activities, technical assistance and institutional strengthening, including support for the review of the electoral regulatory framework, the management of electoral processes and the introduction of digital systems for voter and candidate registration. At the same time, the project supports the Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organisations for Elections (CECOE) in strengthening its capacity for election observation, civic education and monitoring of the entire electoral cycle.
The initiative also adopts a conflict-sensitive approach geared towards the prevention of electoral violence, contributing to democratic consolidation and the strengthening of public trust in Ethiopia’s electoral institutions.
