TtF Ethiopia

First BRIDGE Train the Facilitator (TtF) workshop in Ethiopia aimed at equipping various electoral stakeholders’ core trainers with the facilitation techniques and skills (the needs of which was identified as a result of 2021 post-electoral lessons-learned exercise). UN Women has previously facilitated BRIDGE workshops on Gender Equality and Elections for a range of stakeholders (including NEBE, CSOs, media, EHRC, women candidates and political parties). Feedback from these workshops were very positive and triggered the interest to enable BRIDGE facilitation experience and skills to promote inclusive electoral processes through capacity development.

TtF was organized by UNDP Ethiopia SEEDS Project and facilitated by accrediting level facilitators Natia Kashakashvili and Shalva Tskhakaya during 2-12 December, 2022 in Bishoftu, Ethiopia. Twenty participants (thirteen female and seven male) representing NEBE, UN Women, CSOs, IFES, ECES and one representative from IEC Lesotho attended the workshop.

During the opening participants were welcomed by the UNDP Ethiopia SEEDS Project CTA Katherine Green and Ato Fikire, the NEBE Board member. The participants were then taken through the key components of the facilitation techniques and qualities, before pairing them up to present existing BRIDGE session/activity. During the days three and four, pairs presented the assigned tasks and have received the feedback highlighting the skills and techniques used as well as suggestions for improvement. On day five, participants have evaluated the experience of the first paired presentation, which was a major outcome of the first week. Participants were explained curriculum writing skills and paired up to write/customize an activity based on the assigned key understandings and the learning outcomes. On day six, pairs have swapped the customized activities and prepared/conducted the session prepared by another pair during day seven-nine. Pairs have received the feedback on customization of the session and facilitation skills/techniques. On days nine and ten participants were taken through the steps of planning/implementing BRIDGE and strategizing BRIDGE for the future. The workshop closing ceremony was attended by the NEBE deputy chairperson and UNDP Ethiopia SEEDS Project CTA. At the end of the workshop, participants have received certificates of completing the TtF.

Throughout the workshop participants have enjoyed every session and task. There were concerns regarding the load. Participants have evaluated workshop conduct verbally and through written forms. The mostly pointed out positive feedback was related to the “human-centered approach” that the lead facilitators have been guiding themselves when working with the participants. Below are some of the feedbacks expressed by the participants:

• Some of the activities and points raised were professionally transforming.
• Task 2 evaluation session helped us so much that one was able to identify his/her gaps to improve.
• Curriculum writing analogy enabled all the participants to be strategic in planning. We could see from this session that we overlook so many important things and assume the other people have the knowledge (which may be wrong at times).
• The analogy method (preparing a tea/ coffee and developing a curriculum) taught me the importance of 360 degrees.
• The support you give the participants is fantastic, please keep it up.
• We really appreciate your human centered approach.

TtF participants have enjoyed the pathway they were taken through. Some participants have observed personality/attitude transformations that is always a result of BRIDGE TtFs.

TtF in Ethiopia represents the first steps of further implementing BRIDGE in Ethiopia. There are clear interest and intention on further using BRIDGE as the capacity building tool.