Agence Française de Développement, the French Development Agency (AFD) hosted a strategic event at weVenture Hub to mark the conclusion of the Civil Society Innovation Fund I (CSIF I) and officially launch the Civil Society Innovation Fund II (CSIF II). The fund aims to foster innovation and diversification among new and emerging civil society organizations in Ethiopia.
Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR), as the lead organization of the CSIF consortium, actively participated in the event by showcasing key achievements—particularly in delivering legal aid services at the pre-trial stage across selected police stations in Addis Ababa, Adama, and Hawassa, as well as supporting emerging CSOs and informal lawyer networks.
LHR’s Executive Director, Mr. Ameha Mekonnen, moderated the session and introduced distinguished speakers, including the French Ambassador to Ethiopia and the Special Advisor for CSIF II. Mr. Belachew Girma, Program Director at LHR, presented an overview of the consortium’s members and highlighted the outcomes of the past six months. The consortium has provided legal aid services to over 5,000 detainees, including women and juveniles.
Mr. Dagnachew Melese, Executive Director of Advocates Ethiopia, delivered a compelling speech on his journey into the civil society sector and the critical importance of legal aid from the pre-trial stage in criminal justice processes.
The event also featured a panel discussion on “Civil Society in Ethiopia: Challenges, Opportunities, and Collaborative Solutions,” sparking valuable dialogue among participants.
#Ethiopia #AFD #LHR #HumanRights #CSIFII
