Our Vision
Uphold Democratic Values
to create a well-informed, empowered, responsive Ethiopian society.
Social Media Centre
The latest from CECOE across our social media channels.
Facts and Figures
What CECOE has achieved since 2019.
Our story
Founded (2011 E.C.) as a coalition of Ethiopian CSOs
Programs
Projects delivered with national and international partners
Election observation
Electoral processes observed since 2019
Coalition
Member civil society organizations
Election observation
Citizen observer deployments
Civic and voter education
Citizens reached through civic and voter education
A coalition for credible elections
Founded in 2011 E.C. (2019 G.C.), CECOE brings together 190+ Ethiopian civil society organizations. We are licensed by the Authority for Civil Society Organizations (registration no. 4748) and recognized by NEBE as an independent, non-partisan observer.
Vision
Uphold democratic values to create a well-informed, empowered, responsive Ethiopian society.
Mission
- Engage in voters’ and civic education, peacebuilding and dialogue.
- Monitor and observe elections through the coordination of Ethiopian CSOs.
- Promote free, fair, peaceful and transparent elections that contribute to democratization.
Values
Six values guide how we work, above all strict neutrality.
What we do
Six connected areas of work, one goal: a well-informed, empowered and responsive Ethiopian society.
Civic & voter education
We have reached 40M+ citizens with voter and civic education, including the 2026 I Vote Ethiopia campaign and the Biqu Zega e-learning platform.
Election observation
Since 2019 we have observed six electoral processes with 8,100+ observer deployments, including 3,477 observers for the 2026 General Election.
Research and advocacy
Our 14 research outputs make evidence-based recommendations for a more democratic and inclusive electoral legal framework.
Dialogue, conflict mitigation & peacebuilding
We bring citizens, parties and institutions together for dialogue, and support member-led peacebuilding projects to keep elections peaceful.
Capacity building & resource mobilization
We strengthen CECOE and its 190+ members through training, sub-grants and shared tools such as the Sub-Granting Resource Center.
Partnership
With partners including AFD, Ireland, France, the UK’s FCDO and ECES, we deliver 5+ active projects beyond election observation.
CECOE online
Free tools for citizens and member organizations, available anytime.
E-learning
Biqu Zega e-learning hub
Interactive courses on democracy, governance and civic responsibility, launched in September 2026 with community learning hubs in Mekele, Adama, Wolayta Sodo, Awash 7, Bahir Dar and Assosa.
For member organizations
Sub-Granting Resource Center
All the templates and guidelines a CECOE member organization needs to apply for, implement and report on a sub-grant, in one place.
Latest Publications
Policy briefs, research and election observation reports from CECOE.
Evidence for reform
Research that shapes Ethiopia’s electoral reform
Observation reports, policy briefs, assessments and commentaries that turn evidence into recommendations for a more transparent, accountable and inclusive electoral system. Key reports are available in Amharic, English, Afaan Oromo, Somali and Afar.
Recent Episode
The latest episode of Yesua Dimtse (“her voice”), from the CECOE YouTube channel.
CECOE is pleased to present a weekly radio program called 'Yesua Dimtse' (meaning 'her voice'), in collaboration with the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) and funded by the European Union (EU). The program airs every Tuesday from 9:10 PM - 9:40 PM on Ethiopian radio. Additionally, you can also tune in to the program online at www.cecoe.org. We highly encourage you to listen to the program and share your feedback with us.
Testimonials
How international observation missions describe CECOE’s work.
Notable among these efforts was the Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Election (CECOE), an umbrella organization uniting some 175 CSOs and consortiums from all over Ethiopia. CECOE recruited, trained, and deployed ... long-term observers throughout the election process, including voter registration. For the June 21 elections CECEO deployed .... and established a sophisticated national data center.
AUEOM notes that CSOs played a crucial role in the June 2021 elections by sensitizing voters and observing the conduct of the electoral process. The Coalition for Ethiopian Civil Society Organisations for Elections (CECOE), which comprises several CSOs, is the most prominent that deployed ... observers across the country on election day.
Our Valued Partners
Organisations that support and collaborate with CECOE.
