News

Pact receives grant to promote peacebuilding activities in Ethiopia

September 20, 2022
In Ethiopia's Itang Special District, Gambella, community Committee Members promote conflict early warning reporting short code. Credit: Pact
Pact will be implementing an 18-month, $2.3 million program funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor entitled “Mobilizing and Enhancing Local Actors for Peace" (MELA-Peace) in Ethiopia. The project approach emphasizes conflict resolution and promotes peaceful coexistence building on existing traditional conflict resolution mechanisms within communities. Through leveraging online and offline influencer networks, the project will counter hate speech and false information to mitigate their impact.

“In designing this project, we had Pact’s ‘Engaged Communities’ guiding star in mind,” says Amanuel Dibaba, Pact's Horn of Africa Director.

“The project enhances existing peacebuilding and conflict resolution mechanisms at the grassroots level. It works to improve the capacity and visibility of local actors to spearhead peaceful co-existence," he continued.

Pact and its partners, Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus Development and Social Services Commission (EECMY DASSC, or DASSC) and Zinc Network Limited, have co-designed a project that builds on existing foundations for communities affected by violence to foster a stable, socially cohesive environment. The project leverages each partner’s networks and experience, including evidence-based strategies for peacebuilding and conflict mitigation in Ethiopia.

Present in Ethiopia since 1995, Pact has implemented civil society strengthening and rigorous analysis of the operational environment. Pact brings a deep knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing Ethiopia’s civil society. Our programs reach every area of Ethiopia in both productive and pastoral areas. With projects ranging in size from less than $1 million to multi-million and involving diverse local, international and government partners, Pact has developed innovative management, logistical and technical capabilities to ensure effective coordination and learning.