A Journey of Transformation: From Mediation to Development
In 2013, following changes in the legal framework governing civil society organizations in Ethiopia, the Ethiopia Arbitration and Conciliation Center (EACC) underwent an institutional transformation and became the Ethiopian Center for Development (ECD). This transition was necessitated by revisions to the law regulating civil society organizations, which required the organization to realign its mandate and operational focus. As a result, ECD change its mandate to development and humanitarian initiatives aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable communities and promoting sustainable development.
With its new mandate, ECD took its first steps into the development sector by implementing programs focused on education, capacity building, community empowerment, and livelihood improvement. These interventions reflected the organization's commitment to addressing social and economic inequalities and creating opportunities for those most in need.
Empowering Communities Through Capacity Development
One of ECD's early priorities was strengthening the capacity of vulnerable groups through tailored training and education programs. The organization focused on developing participants' mindsets, entrepreneurial skills, and confidence, enabling them to become innovative, identify market opportunities, create employment, and improve their economic independence.
Through free training, education, and capacity-development initiatives, ECD has worked to address years of imbalance in access to education and employment opportunities while promoting social inclusion and equal opportunity.
Expanding Access to Early Childhood Education
As part of its new development mandate, ECD invested heavily in improving access to quality early childhood education for children living in underserved and impoverished communities.
The organization constructed new pre-primary classrooms and renovated existing facilities in government schools across five regions of Ethiopia. These interventions included the provision of desks, chairs, shelves, blackboards, teaching aids, learning materials, school uniforms, and child-friendly playgrounds.
The initiative targeted communities in the Oromia, Amhara, Tigray, Harari, and Southern Nations regions, benefiting approximately 2,794 children. ECD has successfully constructed eight new pre-primary schools and renovated nine existing schools. In the Oromia Region, particularly in Adama, new pre-primary classrooms were established at Solonke Kurfa and Dabe Koche Primary Schools. SNNPR in Arbaminch, Gero and Sikella pre-primaries were refurbished and a new one was constructed at Yetnebersh primary School. In Amhara Region, (Awi Zone) Abla Akena pre- primary, Gult Abshekan pre-primary, Syso Mes primary and 02 Kebele primaries were renovated. A new preprimary was built at Lejet School, In Denbecha Woreda, West Gijam Zone. Tigray Region in Mekele pre-primaries were constructed in Hawseba and Mereb Meete schools and another pre-primary, Elala pre-primary was renovated. In Hareri Region Pre-Primaries were constructed in the compound Koremy and Hawsen schools.
In 2013, following changes in the legal framework governing civil society organizations in Ethiopia, the Ethiopia Arbitration and Conciliation Center (EACC) underwent an institutional transformation and became the Ethiopian Center for Development (ECD). This transition was necessitated by revisions to the law regulating civil society organizations, which required the organization to realign its mandate and operational focus. As a result, ECD change its mandate to development and humanitarian initiatives aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable communities and promoting sustainable development.
With its new mandate, ECD took its first steps into the development sector by implementing programs focused on education, capacity building, community empowerment, and livelihood improvement. These interventions reflected the organization's commitment to addressing social and economic inequalities and creating opportunities for those most in need.
Empowering Communities Through Capacity Development
One of ECD's early priorities was strengthening the capacity of vulnerable groups through tailored training and education programs. The organization focused on developing participants' mindsets, entrepreneurial skills, and confidence, enabling them to become innovative, identify market opportunities, create employment, and improve their economic independence.
Through free training, education, and capacity-development initiatives, ECD has worked to address years of imbalance in access to education and employment opportunities while promoting social inclusion and equal opportunity.
Expanding Access to Early Childhood Education
As part of its new development mandate, ECD invested heavily in improving access to quality early childhood education for children living in underserved and impoverished communities.
The organization constructed new pre-primary classrooms and renovated existing facilities in government schools across five regions of Ethiopia. These interventions included the provision of desks, chairs, shelves, blackboards, teaching aids, learning materials, school uniforms, and child-friendly playgrounds.
The initiative targeted communities in the Oromia, Amhara, Tigray, Harari, and Southern Nations regions, benefiting approximately 2,794 children. ECD has successfully constructed eight new pre-primary schools and renovated nine existing schools. In the Oromia Region, particularly in Adama, new pre-primary classrooms were established at Solonke Kurfa and Dabe Koche Primary Schools. SNNPR in Arbaminch, Gero and Sikella pre-primaries were refurbished and a new one was constructed at Yetnebersh primary School. In Amhara Region, (Awi Zone) Abla Akena pre- primary, Gult Abshekan pre-primary, Syso Mes primary and 02 Kebele primaries were renovated. A new preprimary was built at Lejet School, In Denbecha Woreda, West Gijam Zone. Tigray Region in Mekele pre-primaries were constructed in Hawseba and Mereb Meete schools and another pre-primary, Elala pre-primary was renovated. In Hareri Region Pre-Primaries were constructed in the compound Koremy and Hawsen schools.
