The European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), in partnership with the Consortium of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Election (CECOE), has launched a targeted support initiative aimed at strengthening Civic and Voter Education (CVE) implementation by local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). This initiative is aligned with the Civic and Voter Education Framework of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) and seeks to enhance public awareness, civic engagement, and informed participation in electoral processes.
Following a competitive call for proposals, more than 45 local CSOs submitted applications demonstrating their capacity and commitment to delivering effective CVE activities across various regions of the country. A joint ECES–CECOE appraisal committee conducted a thorough technical and financial evaluation of all submissions to ensure transparency, quality, and compliance with program requirements. Based on this rigorous assessment process, 14 CSOs were selected to receive support for the implementation of CVE initiatives.
To ensure a strong and consistent understanding of the program framework, ECES and CECOE organized an orientation workshop for the selected CSOs. The workshop aims to build a shared understanding of NEBE’s CVE Manual and to clarify key program expectations, implementation standards, and operational guidelines. Particular emphasis is placed on financial management procedures, reporting and accountability requirements, as well as communication and coordination mechanisms between ECES, CECOE, and the implementing organizations.
The orientation workshop brings together senior management, program coordinators, and finance staff from the selected CSOs to promote effective collaboration and ensure both programmatic coherence and financial compliance throughout the implementation period. By engaging leadership and finance teams together, the workshop supports a holistic approach to project delivery, risk management, and results-based reporting.
A total of 32 participants, including 9 women, are taking part in the two-day workshop, representing the leadership, program, and finance departments of the 14 selected CSOs. The workshop is being held from January 15 to 16, 2026, and marks an important step toward the successful rollout of coordinated, high-quality Civic and Voter Education activities in line with national standards.
16 January 2026
