NGO ESTABLISHEMNT AND

OPERATION IN ETHIOPIA

Christ ian Relief and

Development Association
(CRDA)

May 2006
INTRODUCTION
Born out of a crises and set up as an association of NGOs, by the
good will of 20 church based agencies, 33 years later, its
membership has grown in number and diversity.

The Christian Relief and Development Association (CRDA) has

been working, with its ever increasing membership, in bringing
about a better life for the poor and marginalized sectors of
society. By first rallying to save the lives of people from hunger
and starvation and rehabilitating these and later on providing
them access to basic necessities of life, it has made significant
contributions in bringing about a better future for the less
fortunate.

In Ethiopia, the number of NGOs/CSOs has increased from time to

time. The membership of CRDA is also increasing with the wide
scope of involvement in more development activities. Currently
the number of CRDA member agencies reached 253 out of which
175 are indigenous NGOs and faith based agencies.

A number of CRDA member NGOs are involved in policy advocacy

and lobbying along with other diversified areas of concern to the
CRDA membership.

Majority of CRDA member NGOs are engaged in the following

activities and operate in all regions of the country.

• Agricultural Development
• Child right advocacy and formal and non formal basic
education
• Support to disabled people
• Food Security
• Gender
• Health
• HIV/AIDS
• Income generating activities/schemes
• Institutional Development and Local Capacity Building
• Natural resource conservation and environmental
development
• Water and sanitation
• Refugee/repatriation

NGO ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION IN ETHIOPIA 2

• Research
• Training
• Disaster preparedness and relief
• Rehabilitation

BACKROUND TO NGOs

Who are NGOs?

• Voluntary organizations established with the commitment to
help disadvantaged or marginalized sectors of society;
• Not-for-profit (not self-serving) organizations established to
support and help less fortunate communities and members of
society with little or no income.
• Non Governmental Organizations established in such a way
that any support they appeal for or secure is undertaken
independent from Government.

Types of NGOs
NGOs operating in Ethiopia could be categorized into two main
categories:

1. Indigenous NGOs
These are NGOs established in the country by either
Ethiopians or non-Ethiopians.

2. International NGOs
These are NGOs, which have their head offices abroad and
obtain support from those offices.

Again from within these NGOs another category could be

established:

1. Secular NGOs
2. Religious NGOs

Sectoral classification of NGOs is also possible, i.e. NGOs focusing

on various sectors such as water, health, children, integrated
rural/urban development, etc.

NGO ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION IN ETHIOPIA 3

History and Facts on NGOs

Voluntary organizations are an old phenomenon in Ethiopia and

were established based on social, religious, locality or kinship
criteria. They existed as self help institutions providing support
in times of hardship. For instance, organizations for labour
sharing known as DEBO and for religious purposes known as
mahaber, senbete, tertim, existed. Missionary organizations
were also voluntary organizations some of which grew to
become NGOs.

These organizations have played an important role in Ethiopia’s

development by laying the foundation for Ethiopia’s modern
health and education system.

NGOs first started to appear in Ethiopia in the 1960's and these

were mostly of European origin. In the 1970's more NGOs
emerged especially in response first to the 1973/74 famine and
later on to the 1983/84 famine. The number of NGOs
continued to grow after the overthrow of the military regime
(Derg) in 1991. However, their activities were principally
limited to relief and rehabilitation before they became more
development oriented.

NGOs fall into their own classification of development agencies

where they;

• play an important role in the provision of services where no

government facilities exist;
• can develop and pilot innovative approaches on a small
scale; and
• have a good track-record in promoting participatory
development.

The growth of NGOs in Ethiopia has been robust over the last
two to three decades. The number of NGOs, especially
indigenous NGOs, has been rising. The number doubled in the
last five years or so. About 500 NGOs operate development
programs across the country today. (NGO Contribution 2005)

NGO ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION IN ETHIOPIA 4

Their capacity to play a discernible role in the country’s
development agenda has been steadily growing.

According to a study on NGO Contribution, 2005, the major

achievements of NGOs in the period 1997—2001 are in the areas
of food security, health and water, education, capacity building,
physical infrastructures and emergency operations. During this
time, some 360 projects were implemented by 271 NGOs (188
local and 83 international) during the period.

HOW TO ESTABLSIH AN NGO IN ETHIOPIA

Both foreign and local NGOs can be established in Ethiopia.
However, knowing the requirements for establishment is
necessary in order to be registered with the Government of
Ethiopia and operate legally.

(A) Registration Guideline for Foreign

(international) NGOs.

• Any foreign NGO, which intends to carry out activities, shall

produce its written application to the NGO Registration Office
at the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).
• The Office will provide four copies of an application form to
be filled by the applicant (applying organization).
• The applicant ought to fill out carefully all the questions and
in addition, is expected to produce various documents.

(B) Registration Guideline for Local

(indigenous) NGOs
• Any local NGO, which intends to carry out activities, shall
produce its written application to the NGO Registration Office
at the Ministry of Justice.
• If established in Ethiopia and is led by Ethiopians and
operates in more than one Region of the country or its donor
(s) supports programs found in more than one region,
various supporting documents will be required by the
applicant NGO:

NGO ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION IN ETHIOPIA 5

 (C) Operational Agreement with DPPA

Following registration with the Ministry of Justice and obtaining of

Certificate, NGOs are required to sign Operational Agreement with
the Federal Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency (DPPA).
The applying NGO is required to:

• Produce copy of the certificate of registration with the Ministry

of Justice. The DPPA is also informed of the registration of an
NGO by the Ministry of Justice through copy of a letter issued
to the NGO.

Upon submission of certificate of registration, the applying NGO will

be provided with three copies of Operational Agreement forms
along with Basic Information on new NGOs by the DPPA to be filled,
signed by the head of the organization (the person acknowledged
by Ministry of Justice) and sealed and returned to DPPA.

The Deputy General Director of DPPA will sign the Agreement form
on behalf of the DPPA. One copy of the Agreement signed and
sealed by both the NGO and DPPA will be given to the NGO.

Following the signing of Operational Agreement with DPPA, an NGO

is expected to enter into specific project agreement with the
concerned regional government offices depending upon the type
and the nature of the project prior to the implementation of a
project.

For details on documents required by the NGO registration

Office, please contact either the MoJ or CRDA.

HOW TO BECOME A CRDA MEMBER

Any Civil Society Organisation shall be eligible to become and

remain a member subject to the following criteria:

- A valid certificate of registration with the relevant government

authority.
- That the organisation is active in pursuing its mission, including
current engagement with its constituency where appropriate.
- Acceptance of and adherence to the Memorandum and Articles
of the Association.

NGO ESTABLIHMENT AND OPERATION IN ETHIOPIA 6

- Acceptance of and adherence to
• the Code of Conduct for NGOs in Ethiopia, or
• any other code of conduct, which the General Assembly of
the Association may from time to time adopt either in
place of the Code of Conduct for NGOs in Ethiopia, or in
addition.

- Recognition and respect of other standards and international

conventions to which the Association is a signatory.

- Payment of membership fees and dues agreed from time to

time by the Membership Assembly of the Association.

- The NGO should have an agreement with an appropriate

government agency.

- The NGO should be a voluntary, humanitarian and/ or

development organization which has been operational in
Ethiopia for not less than six months and has an office base
and representative in the country.

- The NGO should be able to exhibit transparency and integrity

in its operations.

NGO ESTABLIHMENT AND OPERATION IN ETHIOPIA 7

Christian Relief and Development
Association
(CRDA)

Phone: 251 - 11-4392395

251 - 11- 4390322
Fax:: 251 - 11-4393502
P. O. Box 5674
Email: [email protected]
Website - www.crdaethiopia.org
Location- Debre Zeit Road, Kality, in
front of Drivers and Mechanics Training
Center

PREPARED BY INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT