On Saturday 27 May 2023, the Technical Assistance Unit for the European Union Civil Society Fund (EU-CSF III) supported a workshop at Kuriftu Resort in Bishoftu, on the collaborative engagement between the House of Peoples’ Representatives and the civil society sector. 

The event was organized jointly by the European Union; the Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO), and the Ethiopian Civil Society Organisations’ Council (ECSOC), in collaboration with the Legal, Justice and Administrative Standing Committee of the House of Peoples’ Representatives (HoPR). Honourable Essegenet, Chair of the latter Standing Committee performed the role of Guest of Honour, and made the key note speech. Other remarks were made by Mr. Andrew Neill, Team Leader of the EU-CSF III Technical Assistance Unit; Ato Jimma Dilbo, Director General of ACSO; Dr. Negusu, President of ECSOC; and Ato Henok Melesse, Executive Director of ECSOC. Presentations were also later made on behalf of ACSO, ECSOC and the Parliament.

The event, the second of its kind to be supported by EU-CSF III, had the overall objective of enhancing the direct engagement of civil society through ECSOC with HoPR, with the support of ACSO. It is anticipated that the workshop will culminate in a Memorandum of Understanding, setting out the framework through which the engagement will take place, thereby opening up opportunities for further cooperation, dialogue and the participation of civil society in the policy formulation and review processes of the country.

 The workshop was attended by around 60 people including Honourable Members of the House (comprising members of the Legal, Justice and Administration Standing Committee, and Chairs and Vice Chairs of the other Standing Committees of the HoPR); representatives from Civil Society Organisations; and selected staff of the TAU, ACSO and ECSOC, including the Deputy President of the Council.