External Evaluation of the EU's Support to Ethiopian Civil Society through the Civil Society Fund III Programme - Brief

This Evaluation Brief of EU's Support to Ethiopian Civil Society through the Civil Society Fund III Programme is a dissemination product of an independent evaluation. Its contents are the sole responsibility of EuroPlus Consulting & Management and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. 

Context and Objectives: The Civil Society Fund III (CSF III) Programme, a European Union initiative supporting Ethiopian civil society, had a dual focus: funding 27 projects and providing technical assistance through a dedicated Technical Assistance Unit (TAU). Spanning from 2019 to 2023, with a comprehensive budget of €16 million, the program aimed to bolster the role of civil society in Ethiopia's development and democratisation processes. Implementation: The programme's implementation featured extensive engagement, distributing €16 million across projects and to TAU’s operations. During 4,818 working days, it provided crucial support to 27 beneficiary civil society organisations (CSOs) and entities like the Ethiopian Civil Society Council.

Key Findings: The evaluation highlighted the significant alignment of CSF III with Ethiopia's developmental and governance reform policies. It successfully enhanced the capacity of CSOs in various operational and advocacy aspects. However, the evaluation also identified areas requiring further improvement, particularly in training methodologies, efficiency, sustainability, and policy influencing strategies.