Civil society and the environmental movement in Ethiopia: country analysis

This report deals with the progress of environmental organisations in Ethiopia, and the difficulties they face. The paper deems that with consistent efforts, systematic change of approaches, strengthened networking and competence development, the contribution of NGOs and CSOs could increase.

The main findings of the paper are:

• engaged NGOs and CSOs are very few in number when seen against the huge environmental challenges of the country
• NGOs and CSOs lack even the basic capacities, capabilities and resources base to carry out their activities effectively
• civil society is at infantile stage to significantly influence environmental policy in the country
• the bureaucratic hurdles, and increased government interference into the administrative affairs of CSOs discourage environmental CSOs
• the donor community takes a mainstreaming approach of the environment rather than direct action in the environmental sector.

The paper makes the following recommendations:

• NGOs and CSOs need to be encouraged to increasingly build their capacities at local level
• the approach of conducting environmental advocacy will have to be pursued with gradual deliberate actions towards specialisation
• environmental activities in which the government wants increased involvement of NGOs and CSOs should be strengthened and be used as entry points for undertaking environmental policy advocacy
• reliable and predictable finance is basic to undertaking environmental work in consistent and effective manner
• information exchange and networking within the NGO, CSO and community will provide foundation for effective performance of existing institutions
• there is a wealth of international experience from which local NGOs and CSOs could draw lessons and adapt to their activities
• actors in the environmental movement need to understand the conflict between environmental preservation and accelerated economic growth, and increase their readiness to live up to this challenge.