Mekelle, Tigray – December 21, 2024: The Association of Civil Society Organizations in Tigray (ACSOT) hosted an important workshop focused on the “CSOs Landscape Assessment Report and Rebuilding Roadmap” at the Desta Hotel. This significant event was made possible through funding from The National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

The workshop featured insights from PUM Consultancy for Social Sciences PLC, which conducted a comprehensive landscape assessment of 104 actively operating Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) that are members of ACSOT in the Tigray region. The assessment aimed to evaluate the current state of these organizations, which play a vital role in rebuilding efforts, promoting social cohesion, and advocating for human rights in a region that has faced immense challenges due to conflict.

In war-torn areas like Tigray, CSOs are critical agents for fostering community resilience and facilitating recovery. They contribute significantly to social cohesion and the protection of human rights. However, these organizations face numerous obstacles that hinder their effectiveness. Key challenges include a lack of resources, threats to security, government restrictions, and complex political dynamics that complicate their operations.

The assessment revealed several crucial insights into the operational landscape of CSOs in Tigray:

A significant majority, 74%, of the assessed CSOs operate in Mekelle, while 8% are based in Shire. Furthermore, 92% of these organizations focus their efforts within the Tigray region, with 13% extending their interventions to other regions.

The assessment highlighted critical governance issues affecting CSOs in Tigray. There is a notable lack of authority and clarity regarding reporting structures, as many organizations are required to report to multiple government bodies. This overlapping responsibility creates confusion and hampers effective governance.

The findings pointed to a lack of clear regulations governing CSO operations. There is no single identifiable government organ responsible for managing CSO activities, leading to accountability challenges and uncertainty about registration and monitoring processes.

The primary objective of the landscape assessment is to inform the development of a comprehensive roadmap aimed at rebuilding CSOs in the post-conflict context of Tigray. By addressing the identified challenges and leveraging the strengths of existing organizations, the roadmap seeks to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of CSOs in promoting peace, reconciliation, and sustainable development.

The Familiarization Workshop served as a crucial platform for dialogue among stakeholders involved in civil society development in Tigray. By bringing together various actors, including representatives from CSOs, government agencies, and international partners, the event fostered collaboration and shared understanding of the pressing challenges faced by civil society organizations in the region.

As Tigray continues to navigate its recovery journey, strengthening the capacity of CSOs will be essential for promoting human rights, fostering social cohesion, and ultimately rebuilding a resilient community. The insights gained from this assessment will play a pivotal role in guiding future efforts and ensuring that CSOs can effectively contribute to the region’s recovery and development.