Lessons from Working with NSA Network

1. Lessons from Working with NSA Network Alliance of Civil Society Organizations of Tigray (ACSOT) Berihu G/Medhin Programme manager May 2017 Addis Ababa

2. Presentation Outline Introduction: Organizational synopsis, target area, title of action/s, the problem, conceptual framework, objectives and results Lessons gained Update on current situation Conclusions & recommendations

3. 1. Introduction1.1 background • ACSOT is a non profit, pioneer regional consortium,established in 2009and registered for legal entity at the charities and societies Agency; • It has composed some more than 50 CSOs as its members, and; • ACSOT has engaged in networking of CSOs at all levels (Region - Woreda) and linking them with grassroots structures (CCCs, Women development groups, etc at Kebelles)

4. 1.2 Mandate of ACSOT • Build technical capacity of member and collaborating CSOs in the region through trainings and experience sharing; • Network CSOs in the region and induce conversation amongst the CSOs and become influential; • Bridge CSO-GO relationship and induce harmony between development stakeholders; • Initiate establishment of different forums and induces conversation and dialogue.

5. Motto Networked engagement of CSOsis a tool for inclusiveness!

6. Project title CSOs’ capacity building and Networking for enhanced role in local governance

7. 1.3 Target woredas Woredas Ahferom W/Leke M/Leke D/tembien T/maichew L/Maichew Adwa Enderta Alamata S/tsaedamda D/temien K/Awlaelo

8. 1.4 The problem • Less and/or no inclusiveness in policy dialogue [planning-evaluation] and social and economic development could not keep its required momentum; • CSOs used to intervine individually and their influence to the public was insignificant than engaged in Network; • Working in parallel of development partners, brings NO synergy;

9. 1.5 Conceptual framework • To promote participation of development partners in policy dialogue, good governance and democratization, Networking of CSOs/CBOs is must not an option; • While CSOs unite and intervine as one: • they can easily influence the public, • able produce well cooked ideas, • manage dialogue process properly, • promote their technical capacity through sharing, etc.

10. 1.6 Project objectives • General Objective: • To build Technical capacity and network Non-State actors at the operational woredas and promote their engagement in an inclusive local governance system & democratization; • Specific Objectives: • Provide capacity building training to Woreda – based CSO/CBOs so as to help them improve their preparedness and participation in local level policy dialogue and active participation; • Undertake studies and facilitate dialogues at various levels so as to create conducive environment for CSO/CBOs participation in local governance processes;

11. 1.7 Target groups • Major stakeholders were: • CSOs/ CBOs/ FBOs including, CCCs (Community Care Coalitions), Development Groups (women, Youth, Farmers), councils, pertinent sector bureaus and offices

12. 1.8 - Results 1.8.1 - Regional level • CSOs in the region succeeded to attain Non-Voting SEAT in the regional council and able to echo their voices in any meetings of the regional council; • GO- CSOs forums at regional level established, sustained --- now it is regularly organized biannually by the planning and finance bureau;

13. Results • Sector based sub-forums established for dialogue • BOLSA– Child and elderly forums • Tigray Youth & Sport – A youth welfare and reducing illegal migration forum • BoJ – a forum that discusses on how justice in the region can be improved; • BoWA– A forum brainstorming on women and development

14. Results • MOUs of collaboration and shared responsibilities signed between: • Mekelle University & CSOs • Regional council, CSOs,Media, Mass Associations,

15. Results • CSOs expand their cooperation & linkage with the village Community Care Coalition (CCCs) and different Development Groups: (Women, Youth and Farmers), and technically contribute to the hard to reach at the grassroots level; • The CSOs networking dialogue process in the targeted woredas is still on board, adjoining woredas are requesting and looking forward to expanding the action to their woredas, and based on their request ACSOT is now engaged in networking of CSOs on another additional four woredas;

16. Result- Current operations Kolla-Tembien Hawzien Hintalo-Wajerat Tanqua-Abergelle

17. Results Woreda CSOs’ Networks • Strong cooperation between woreda CSO networks and community based development groups built CCCs Youth development groups Farmer development groups Women development groups

18. 2. Lessons gained • Working in Network can easily influence public, and induce inclusive engagement; • CSOs Meaningful contribution to the process of development is only possible while working hand in hand; • Networking ensures Vertical and lateral Sharing and cooperation between development partners; • Synergy is factored through network;

19. 3. Updates on the implementation process • Based on logical and scientific data gathering method , the assessment to develop the mapping study will be conducted, validated, and based on the gaps identified in the assessment, trainings on networking, lobbying, and dialogue conducted, • Based on their action plan CSOs networks Conduct continuous DIALOGUE with local administrators; • CSOs Networks Lobby to get seat in the local councils and all networks are now represented without vote The Opportunity of Financial Support which ACSOT had got from the EC-CSF II Capacity building project with 3 other partners,( REST, TYA & M4Ms fundamentally help ACSOT to expand its CSOs, networking down to earth • Woreda CSOs’ networks Established and legally Registered • CSOs’ Networks identified the key issues of their locality and develop an action plan; • . CSOs’ Networks dialogues Creating enabling environment for ACSOT to reach-out and strengthening the small and locally based CSOs Official Representation of CSOs Networks in local councils in place Mapping study – and CSOs’ capacity building trainings Establishment of Networks

20. 4. Conclusions and Recommendation4.1 Conclusion • To conclude, CSOs as one of the three development pillars, are trying to work harder to support the marginalized and voiceless and attain meaningful results; • Nevertheless, due to the state of nature (situations beyond their control) the cooperation between them is under question, compete for scarce resources and, seem with bounded rationality rather than objective rationality;

21. 4.2 Recommendation If we see the legend, geeses by flying in a V formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than one flying alone. Let’s work smarter, Not harder; to do so, CSOs Should make themselves learners; Let us do the way these geese’s do;

22. Thank You ! Question?