Ethiopia YMCA was one of the first YMCAs to use the GOP as a tool to build its institutional capacity and sustainability. In 2004, YMCA Ethiopia was selected by the Africa Alliance of YMCAs as the pilot country to undergo an institutional diagnosis. This exercise provided relevant information on the level of YMCA Ethiopia’s mission focus, programme relevance and institutional viability.
Since then partners from YMCAs in the USA, Canada, Sweden and Germany have been accompanying Ethiopia YMCA and providing expertise. Thanks to this coordinated approach, Ethiopia YMCA has achieved several concrete successes. These include:
• The return of property confiscated by the previous government (Ethiopia YMCA was shut down for almost 20 years by the late military regime, and re-opened again in 1992);
• The development of new and/or renovated YMCA facilities in Bahir Dar, Wolaita, Debre Marqos and Addis Ababa;
• Increased membership; and
• The development and scaling-up of innovative youth programmes.
Not only were local capacities in governance, financial sustainability and project management strengthened, but YMCA international partners were able to raise funds from major international donors. This support allowed the YMCA to initiate a wide range of highly relevant programmes for young people in Ethiopia such as Vocational Training Centres, character building, music and drama, HIV/ AIDS awareness, leadership development, youth volunteerism, and community engagement.
Nevertheless, the last few years have been very challenging for the YMCA. Claims made by the YMCA to take back valuable land and properties that were seized under the previous regime have only been partially met by the present government. Furthermore, the Ethiopian authorities have imposed significant retroactive taxes on the YMCA. The movement is currently negotiating with government for a full tax exemption.
Evaluation and reflection
During meetings held in May 2009, Ethiopia YMCA’s leaders undertook a critical analysis of the progress achieved, and challenges faced since the last international partner meeting in 2007. The group noted the critical importance and impact of recent training seminars, such as the training for volunteers and staff as well as the one on HIV/AIDS programmes. Another important achievement is that the duties and responsibilities of staff and volunteers have been clearly defined in policy manuals and communicated to the branches. Equally, though still in early stages, several branches have shown good results in generating local resources, either through service provision or from local donors.
Next steps
An evaluation of the GOP process to date showed that Ethiopia YMCA still needs to strengthen communications on three levels: within the movement itself, with key partners and stakeholder, and with the general public. To respond to this gap, the group decided on a consolidated annual activity and financial reporting template for 2009, to which each branch and the national office would contribute.
It is important to note that Ethiopia YMCA has a very distinct and prestigious history. The association was founded in 1947, and in 1949, the late Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie (I) requested membership of the World Alliance of YMCAs. While the Emperor consented to be the patron of the YMCA, most of his senior Cabinet Ministers served as board members of the Association and the Movement united around 3 million members. In 1976, the YMCA was dissolved by the defunct Dergue military regime and its properties and assets were confiscated. The YMCA’s re-opening in 1992 is proof of how deeply the YMCA had been anchored into Ethiopian society. Today, the YMCA of Ethiopia has a national office and 9 regional branches and has an estimated membership of 12 000.
