For the last few years, Ethiopia has often been praised as one of the few African states with a genuine ‘development orientation’. Emulating the Asian model of an authoritarian ‘developmental state’, Ethiopia has embraced democracy only half-heartedly which puts into question the sustainability of its developmental efforts. While formal institutions such as Parliament, elections and separation of powers are in place, neither the ruling class nor the citizens fill the notion of democracy with life. Centuries of oppressive autocratic regimes have contributed to a deeply rooted undemocratic political culture and a generally submissive behavior of citizens vis-à-vis the state. Under such circumstances, non-participative decision-making, insufficient public accountability and petty corruption flourish.

The Heinrich Boell Foundation has collaborated with reform-minded institutions and organizations both from Government and civil society since 2006 with the aim to strengthen and protect democratic values and institutions. Most of the Foundation’s work is conducted in the Amhara region, Ethiopia’s second biggest Federal state. Democracy and Good Governance can be better promoted from below than working with elites at the top.

With our work in the field of democracy and good governance we aim at:

• Creating a democratic political culture
• Mobilizing citizens to take an active interest in public affairs
• Increasing the capacity of  elected representatives
• Stimulating internal and public debates over the citizen’s rights and public accountability.