Ghetnet Metiku

E-mail: gmgiorgis@gmail.com Page 1

Civil Society under the Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP)

The GTP has recognized the contributions of the Ethiopian civil society sector to date and

provided for their role in the development planning period covered by the document.

Generally, such recognition relates to resource mobilization, implementation of social

sector programmes, capacity building and good governance, and cross-cutting sectors

(especially women‟s and children‟s affairs, youth development and social welfare).

A) Financing

The implementation of the GTP requires substantive domestic and external resources to

finance the anticipated budget deficit. The contributions of NGOs in addressing the

financing gap has been anticipated by the GTP based on experience during the SDPRP

and PASDEP periods. In describing the role of the private sector and the public, the GTP

states: (GTP, p 44)

“Accordingly, in the next five years, the private sector, the public and non-

government organizations are expected to play a more active role and

thereby significantly contribute to the success of the GTP. The contribution

… is therefore included as one critical element of the country‟s overall

capacity to finance the GTP.”

The perceived “good relationship between the government and development partners”

(GTP, p. 122) has also been identified among the opportunities in mobilizing the financial

resources for the implementation of the GTP. Conversely, the government is committed

to strengthening the “contributions of local and international NGOs and CBOs in the

implementation of the development plan” risks pertaining to the mobilization of external

resources. (GTP, p. 123)

B) Social Sectors

The achievement of ambitious social goals stipulated in the GTP has to take into account

the past and current contribution of civil society as well as their potential for the future.

This is particularly true for current areas of civil society engagement in education and

training, gender parity, special needs education, alternative basic education, etc … A

large number of charities and societies are currently implementing interventions in the

education, health and other social sectors (See annexed Table on sectoral distribution of

projects). CSOs have established and manage education and health institutions at all

levels. Examples include the Hope University established by Hope Enterprises, an

organization affiliated to the EOC. Similarly, the HIV/AIDS Policy and subsequent

strategic plans recognize the role of the civil society sector in financing and

implementation of the national response to the epidemic. This has been indicated in the

GTP.

Ghetnet Metiku

E-mail: gmgiorgis@gmail.com Page 2

The implementation strategies for „Education and Training‟ under the GTP include

encouraging “the private sector, NGOs and the community” to open secondary schools.

(GTP, p 90) The GTP also recognizes “the promotion of private sector and NGOs

participation in the health sector” among the core elements of the health sector strategy

(GTP, p. 92) and emphasizes the increasing importance of “the partnership and

networking between the government and NGOs and civil society and private sector

organizations engaged in heath related activities … in enhancing implementation of the

program” (GTP, p. 92). As such, in describing the implementation strategies for the

health sector, the GTP states that: (GTP, p. 92)

“In addition, the health sector will forge strong partnership and create a

coordination mechanism to ensure that there will be conducive

environment for the Development Partners and NGOs/CSOs/Private sectors

to enhance scaling up of interventions during the strategic period.”

C) Capacity Building and Good Governance

The role of society organizations, especially mass based associations in capacity building

and promoting good governance has been explicitly recognized in the GTP. With a view

to ensuring citizens‟ participation in local governance and development decision making,

the GTP stipulates measures to: (GTP, pp. 96-97)

“create an enabling environment for professional and public associations to enable

them to protect and promote their rights and benefits,

introduce and make operational institutional and organizational mechanisms, …

for professional and public associations, to encourage and ensure full public

participation in the formulation and evaluation of government policies, strategies

and development plans,

support professional and public associations and organizations in their effort to

build inter-organizational initiatives that promotes principles contributing to

democratization such as tolerance, respect for the rule of law, etc …”

The role of CBOs in enhancing public participation has especially been emphasized in the

GTP. In setting the major goals for „capacity building and good governance‟, the GTP

recognizes gaps and stipulates the need for further improvements in the participation of

CBOs. (GTP, pp. 98-99) To this end, it provides for specific actions “to expand

democracy and good governance through the participation of community based

organizations (CBOs)” including “the involvement of cooperatives, professional

associations, and other CBOs” as well as measures “to strengthen the degree and

consistency of public participation”. More specific to democracy and good governance,

Ghetnet Metiku

E-mail: gmgiorgis@gmail.com Page 3

the GTP section on implementation strategies for „Strengthening the Democratic System‟

provides that: (GTP, p. 106)

“The participation of CBOs and the public at large in development

planning, implementation and monitoring will be strengthened. Directives

and laws that will support the functioning of CBOs and professional

associations will be put in place … Participation of CBOs and stakeholders

in the development process will be strengthened”.

The GTP reference to encouraging public participation in media broadcast through

support to shared ownership in the form of „community broadcasting‟ (GTP, p. 108)

could also be interpreted as a commitment to encourage the community radio

programmes initiated and supported by CSOs such as EHRCEPA. These and other

information, communication and media initiatives of charities and societies are obviously

essential in enhancing public participation in the implementation of the GTP itself.

D) Cross Cutting Sectors

The GTP recognizes the role of civil society in gender and children affairs, though in a

somewhat indirect manner. The contributions of CSOs are implicit in the emphasis given

to the ratification of international and regional agreements as well as harmonization into

the domestic human rights system, interventions against HTPs affecting women and

children, etc ... The past and current areas of civil society engagement also align with the

GTP in such a way that the potential for contributions for the achievement of GTP

targets for gender and development and children‟s affairs is clearly evident. (See: Table

43 – GTP Targets for Gender Development and Children‟s Affairs)

More explicitly, the key strategies adopted for women‟s affairs under the GTP are coined

in terms of strengthening women‟s associations and organizations, creating a more

conducive environment for the active participation of women in development and

governance programs through their associations and organizations, and effective

coordination of women‟s associations and organizations to ensure the effectiveness and

sustainability of women‟s participation. (GTP, p. 111) The implementation strategies for

youth development similarly focus on “strengthening of youth associations and

organizations” towards ensuring the “all rounded participation” of the youth in

development processes as well as the formation of coalitions and cooperation with

stakeholders in the implementation of the youth package. (GTP, p. 112)

The role of civil society in the provision of social welfare services has been mentioned in

the GTP, especially in relation to care and support programs for vulnerable social groups.

For instance, in identifying the targets for social welfare, the GTP underlines the critical

role of “the coordinated efforts of the community, people with disability, the elderly, the

government and non-governmental agencies” and states that “NGO care and support

Ghetnet Metiku

E-mail: gmgiorgis@gmail.com Page 4

programs for the elderly will be encouraged” as an integral part of the implementation

strategies adopted for the sector. (GTP, p. 114)