1. ESTABLISHMENT OF ESCA

Eritrean Solidarity and Co-operation Association

Local grassroots are now allowed to register in Eritrea, as legitimate non-governmental organisations (NGO’s). Eritrea is moving towards the active participation of grassroots organisations and thus, the development of civil society in the country.

The National Confederation of Eritrean Workers (NCEW) has promoted the constitution of a local NGO, deriving from the experience of a work-committee initially settled to face the emergency situation.

The main focus of the NGO, in the current situation of crisis, is to target emergency relief operations in response to the needs for food, school and medicine in the displaced camps, and to take part in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the areas devastated by the war.

The longer-term focus of the ESCA is to act as an intermediary for local grassroots initiatives and facilitate economic and social initiatives through a communal partnership.

The main focus of ESCA is:

1. To play an active role in the emergency situation supporting the needs of the population affected by the war.
2. To contribute actively towards the cultural and socio-economic development of the country.
3. To support and encourage local grassroots initiatives for economic self-reliance.
4. To contribute to the reinforcement of civil society in Eritrea.

Why ESCA?

1. There is a need for a continuous flow of information to/from grassroots organisations.
2. Community groups need ongoing capacity building for data collection, documentation, analysis and report writing
3. Information and capacity building must be institutionalised, including building organisations, developing human resources and securing adequate funding.
4. The countrywide presence of NCEW members guarantees a national network of available human resources and information sharing.

  Top of Page

2. RESPONSE

ESCA plans to bridge the gap between the needs of Workers’ organisations in Eritrea and international support for the promotion of co-operation and solidarity.

ESCA in Eritrea will strengthen Workers’ participation in civil society as they strive for democracy and economic development.

ESCA plans, at the international level, to strive to make well known the peace commitment of Eritrea, as a country of expanding possibilities for the development of a society with female and male workers playing a leading role.

ESCA is a non-partisan, non-profit organisation, registered in Eritrea, working with Workers and other civil society sectors local and national organisations in Eritrea.

ESCA works in partnership with all organisations sharing similar objectives in Eritrea and abroad and has an office located in Asmara, the capital city of Eritrea.

ESCA supports the long-term process of fostering self-sustaining institutions in Eritrea.

  Top of Page

3. GOALS

1. Support the direct involvement of community groups and workers in the reconstruction and rehabilitation plans.
2. Assist informal community organisations interested in the social development of the country, by capacity building, human resources and funding.
3. Strengthen the Workers’ political participation in Eritrea.
4. Support the development of civil society through partnerships with established and new organisations working for progress in our country.
5. Lobby at the international level for a positive image of Eritrea, by building strong ties with international organisations that share similar mandates and approaches.

  Top of Page

4. STRATEGIES

1. Strengthen the Workers’ and local community’s organizations, networking and supporting their initiatives.
2. Form strategic alliances with various sectors of civil society to directly address social and economic issues identified by the constituency.
3. Strengthen the Workers’ leadership role in peace building, democracy, including lobbying and advocacy.
4. Provide a supportive environment for grassroots initiatives, promoting cross-fertilisation of ideas, contacts and resources.

ESCA’s strategies are based upon increasing the visibility and participation of the various sectors of civil society, by strengthening Workers’ organisations and building networks. ESCA encourages Workers’ organisations to develop strategic alliances with other sectors of civil society including the women, youth, demobilised fighters, disabled, business, professionals, etc., so they can work together on common concerns.

Strategic position of ESCA

ESCA is uniquely positioned to strengthen linkages, facilitate understanding and foster mutual support between Eritrean and international organisations.

ESCA at the international level, has an effective network of contacts, including access to trade union organisation, affiliated non-governmental organisations in Europe, Africa and North-America. ESCA can access resources at a regional and international level for the mutual benefit of local and international organisations.

  Top of Page

5. PARTICIPATORY METHODOLOGY OF ESCA

ESCA will analyse its constituencies with potential for straightening civil society in Eritrea. Potential grassroots partners in Eritrea will be identified. The analysis will include identifying groups that have a stake in building society such as workers, youth, women and children. Solutions will be sought to their immediate and long-term organisation establishment.

The elements of ESCA’s participatory methodology include:

• Consultation: listening to all groups interested in social development
• Research: identifying shared concerns and collecting data
• Linkages:sharing information, resources and capacity building
• Catalyst: linking like minded groups to form networks and strategic alliances for social change
• Capacity building: sharing knowledge and skills to strengthen organisations and the leadership of the workers
• Advocacy: lobbying for a positive image of Eritrea internationally and influencing policies at local, national and regional level.

Participatory Tools

1. Research

Research is a key component of all ESCA’s projects. Research is a fundamental requirement to develop socio-political analysis.

Traditionally, workers and community groups have not viewed themselves as researchers. ESCA’s research tools are based on developing and sharing participatory research tools compatible with its vision of strengthening workers’ and target groups’ role in civil society. ESCA’s philosophy is that workers’ and community organisations must carry out research to elaborate the analysis needed for action for social, political and economic development.

Participatory assessment measured through direct involvement of the target community is a vital element in the measurement of effective results.

Identification of local grassroots leaders will include a gender sensitive approach in its design, as an effective tool for measuring the success of ESCA’s projects and programs.

2. Advocacy and lobbying methodology

In the ongoing state of crisis and violent conflict, international public opinion concerning Eritrea has been formed through a not always fair and objective information.

ESCA, through research, analysis, lobbying and advocacy will exert its efforts towards spreading an objective information of the people of Eritrea. ESCA will arrange visits to Eritrea for donors and interested media to mobilize the international resources to work directly with local groups.

Components of Esca’s advocacy/lobbying are:

1. Working with Advocacy Partners to Influence:

• International and national media
• Regional organisations in Eritrea
• International organisations
• Donors

2. Information Sharing with Future Grassroots Organizations in Eritrea:

• Leadership training regarding the importance of advocacy
• How information sharing relates to them
• How politics is inseparable from their daily lives

ESCA plans to build trust and credibility through consultation, information sharing, leadership training with grassroots organisations.

Advocacy Partners of ESCA:

ESCA is developing a strategy of advocacy partners. The objectives of working together are:

• Institutionalise issues and ideas of ESCA working with partners on shared activities
• Mutual organisation strengthening process
• Mutual learning process
• Sharing of resources
• Higher visibility for all partners
• Increased trust among all partners
• Increased credibility and accountability for all partners

Selection Criteria for Advocacy Partners:

• Internationally oriented organisations
• Local and international activists for social development
• Shared vision
• Interest in advocacy and lobbying for common issues
• Mutually beneficial partnership

ESCA’s Efforts to Strengthen its Existing Ties with its Partners:

1. International Partners

receiving and sharing technical support, funding, international lobbying and implementing (e.g. entifying projects, organising events and sharing resources)

2. Local Partners

mobilising the appropriate resources, building local capacity as an umbrella for local grassroots initiatives through sharing resources and networking.

3. NCEW and ESCA

NCEW and ESCA‘s partnership is based on common ideals and a common vision on the development of the country. In particular, NCEW is committed in policy lobbying targeted at local legislation and addresses government policies promoting social and economic development; ESCA will address those needs that are not under the NCEW’s mandate.

 Top of Page