Dire Dawa, 24 March 2026
The Dire Dawa Civil Society Network (DDCSN) has successfully completed a Project Launching Workshop under the initiative “Empowering Women, Youth, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and First-Time Voters for Inclusive Participation in the 7th Ethiopian General Election.”
The workshop brought together representatives from key institutions, civil society organizations, and community stakeholders to build a common understanding of the project’s objectives, implementation approach, and expected results. The initiative is implemented in strategic partnership with the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening inclusive, participatory, and accountable democratic processes ahead of Ethiopia’s upcoming national elections.
Throughout the workshop, participants discussed the project framework and agreed on practical steps to support coordinated implementation. The discussions helped clarify roles and responsibilities, reinforce accountability mechanisms, and strengthen collaboration among partners and stakeholders involved in the project.
The session also emphasized the importance of integrating inclusive approaches across all planned activities, particularly by:
- – Promoting the active participation of women and youth
- – Ensuring accessibility and meaningful inclusion of persons with disabilities
- – Encouraging engagement of first-time voters in civic and electoral processes
The workshop concluded with a shared commitment from participants to support the project’s implementation and contribute to expanding civic awareness and participation in the electoral process. By focusing on groups that are often underrepresented, the initiative aims to help create space for broader community engagement and informed decision-making.
The successful completion of the familiarization workshop marks an important step in the implementation of the project in Dire Dawa. It demonstrates the value of collaboration between civil society, partners, and local stakeholders in promoting inclusive governance and strengthening democratic resilience.
Through continued cooperation and engagement, the initiative seeks to contribute to credible, peaceful, and inclusive electoral processes in Ethiopia. 🤝📊✨
