Lessons from working with Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) Yosef Akalu Director Consortium of Self help group Approach Promoters (CoSAP) 31st May 2017

Presentation Outline Introductions Lessons gained Update on current situation Conclusions & recommendations Challenges

1. Introduction About CoSAP & the SHG approach An umbrella of 28 organizations that implement women Self Help Groups in Afar, Amhara, Benshagul Gumuz, Oromiya, SNNPR, Ethio-Somali, Addis Abeba & Dire Dawa.

Three levels of the SHG approach 15 to 20 members Savings/Credit and all kinds business activities Affinity and support among members Address basic issues in the family Cluster Level Association (CLA) 8 to 10 strong SHGs Two representatives from each constituent SHG Address issues in the community Federation 10 or more strong CLAs Two representatives from each constituent CLA Maintain the identity of the SHG Institution

Country level statistics on SHG approach (Dec 2016) Organizations 28 No. of SHGs 11,480 CLAs 775 Federations 25 Members (women) 213,055 Total saving ETB 68,476,579 (USD 3.1 Million) Total capital of the groups ETB 89,888,413 (USD 4.08 Million)

Together we are in control. People’s empowerment …Introduction Federation/Timret Together we are in control. People’s empowerment CLA: Social, Economic and Institutional development of groups and the community - Collective gain SHG: Social and Economic development of members - Individual gain

…Introduction Title of action: Capacity strengthening of CoSAP, Member organizations and women SHG institutions in Ethiopia (completed) AND NRM and Resilience to Climate Change of SHGs (on going) Targets: 8,000 Women Organized in SHGs (under 400 SHG, 40 CLA and 3 Federations) CoSAP member organizations (ABDI, ADAA, AFSR, CDA, ERSHA, FC, Gurmuu, Hundee, JeCCDO, LCO, MCDP, MLWDA, OPRIFS, RPC, SWDA, VoCDA, WSA,WRDA)

.…Introduction Project Results; Organizational and institutional capacity of CoSAP and its members enhanced OCA, COC, trainings & capacity building 2. Improved policy recognition and support for SHG approach facilitated High level Policy makers exposure visit to India MWCA piloting SHGs in Oromiya & SNNPR 3. Self Help Institutions (SHGs, CLAs and Federations) have effective management and wider recognition Support & recognition at local level

.…Introduction

2. Lessons gained Capacity building inputs, experience sharing and exchange visits facilitated the promotion of sustainable SHGs Several consultations and dialogue sessions with government bodies ensure support to SHG institutions at grassroots level

…Lessons gained SHG women translated their informal businesses to formal (cafeteria, hotel, bread making and selling, animal fattening, etc.) SHGs created jobs The Research on the contribution of SHG approach informed better or alternative economic empowerment of poor women

…Lessons gained SHG women have became resilient to shocks (They were not part of the emergency food aid program in their neighborhood) Continued engagement with higher level government structure can improve / ensure legal recognition for SHGs Visibility of SHG institutions (eg. Annual SHGs Day, Radio program) created wider recognition of SHGs/the approach

…Lessons gained SHG women identified profitable business ideas, presented & defended them in front of local judges and finally won in-kind awards (community based business competition)

3. Update on current situation CLAs and Federations established during the project period are still functioning (even forming new SHGs/CLAs in their localities) Legal framework for SHGs/CLAs/Federations still ongoing with the concerned gov’t bodies The Kebele, Woreda and regional government offices are supporting SHG institutions legalization (writing support letters & recognition) Some CoSAP member organizations institutionalized the community based business competition scheme

4. Conclusion Relevant Project. CoSAP and its member organizations had received several capacity building supports from the project. OCA of CoSAP, members’ code of conduct, increasing visibility, technical skills to develop newsletters and conducting action researches, institutionalizing community based business competition, Research on SHGs, The project was effective in contributing to an improved policy recognition and support for the SHG approach to women’s economic empowerment.

5. Challenges Diluting the SHG principles (NGOs, and even gov’t offices with handouts approach) Unable to secure legal entity for the groups Some wanted to use the groups for other purposes (co-opting)

Photos

Training of Community workers

Meeting SHGs

Annual SHGs Day

Business competition winners award ceremony Awarding ceremony Business competition winners award ceremony

Amsegenalehu! www.shgconsortiumeth.org Any Question?