Ethio Friends Foundation For Refugees

A Successful Step Towards Collaborative Impact: Thank You to Our Partner RLOs! On behalf of the Ethio Friends Foundation for Refugees (EFFR), we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs) who participated in our recent partnership and joint proposal development meeting. The engagement and insights shared during the session were incredibly fruitful and served as a clear manifestation of true collaboration. Together, we deeply analyzed the current challenges facing our communities and successfully agreed on a strategic focus area for our upcoming joint project proposal. A special thank you to the following organizations for their active participation and valuable contributions: * CHEDA * Tesfa * I Have a Dream * REN * Bright Hope To our wider network: We also want to express our sincere appreciation to the organizations that reached out with a strong desire to participate. While prior commitments prevented you from joining us this time, we highly value your dedication and are thrilled by your confirmed interest in attending our upcoming sessions. This meeting marks the beginning of a continuous journey. We are committed to sustaining these strategic dialogues, refining our proposals as a unified consortium, and turning these discussions into tangible projects that create a lasting impact for refugees. Thank you all for your continued dedication, collaborative spirit, and shared vision! Ethio Friends Foundation for Refugees (EFFR)

JOB OPPORTUNITY – FIELD ENUMERATORS ( for Refugees in Assosa Camps) Ethio Friends Foundation for Refugees (EFFR) is recruiting 10 Field Enumerators for the Back to School Project – Phase II, implemented in Ura, Bambasi, and Tsore Refugee Camps, Assosa, Benishangul-Gumuz Region. The second phase builds on the successful implementation of the first phase in Addis Ababa in 2025, with the support of UNHCR, and aims to improve access to quality, inclusive, and equitable education for refugee children in Assosa. 📌 Position: Field Enumerator 📍 Location: Ura, Bambasi & Tsore Refugee Camps, Assosa 👥 Number of Positions: 10 ⏳ Duration: 2 days 🏠 Target: 100 households 💰 Daily Rate: ETB 2,000 🚐 Transportation: ETB 1,000 💵 Total Daily Allowance: ETB 3,000/day Key Qualifications * Minimum high school education; university/college education is an advantage. * Previous experience in household surveys or data collection is desirable. * Experience with KoboToolbox, KoboCollect, ODK, or similar digital data collection platforms is an advantage. * Good communication and interpersonal skills. * Fluency in English, both written and spoken. * Ability to work respectfully and professionally with refugee and host communities. * Female candidates and candidates with disabilities from refugee communities with relevant experience are strongly encouraged to apply. * Applicants must have a smartphone. Selected enumerators will download and use the KoboToolbox (KoboCollect) application on their smartphones to collect and submit household-level data digitally. How to Apply Interested candidates should submit: 📄 Updated CV 📝 Brief cover letter highlighting relevant experience 📧 Email: ethiofriendsfoundation@gmail.com 📌 Subject: Application – Field Enumerator, Back to School Project 📅 Deadline: 28 September 2026 📎 For full details, requirements, responsibilities, and application information, please open and review the attached Terms of Reference (TOR). 🌐 Website: www.ethiofriendsfoundation.org 📞 Phone: +251 947 857 777 Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Ethio Friends Foundation for Refugees (EFFR) Supporting refugee communities through education, protection, dignity and self-reliance.

JRS Regional Director Visits Ethio Friends Foundation for Refugees, Strengthening Partnership Addis Ababa – September 2026 Ethio Friends Foundation for Refugees (EFFR) welcomed a delegation from Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), including Mr. Atsu André Agbogan, Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, and Mr. Solomon Berhane, Country Director at JRS Ethiopia, to discuss strengthening collaboration and joint efforts to serve refugees. The visit builds on the longstanding relationship between JRS and EFFR, which began during EFFR’s establishment and registration. JRS provided valuable support during the registration process and continued to offer guidance, mentoring, and organizational advice after registration. This support contributed to EFFR’s ability to navigate institutional and management challenges during its first year. During the meeting, EFFR presented its key achievements and progress since its establishment, including its work to support, empower, and strengthen the participation of refugees, as well as its future priorities and opportunities. The two organizations discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation, exchange knowledge and expertise, and support the capacity of Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs). The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to develop the partnership and work side by side, exploring new areas of collaboration that contribute to the objectives of both organizations and, most importantly, to serving refugees and promoting their rights and well-being. EFFR expressed its appreciation for JRS’s continued guidance and support and looks forward to building on this partnership through meaningful and sustained collaboration. 📞 +251 947 857 777 🌐 www.ethiofriendsfoundation.org⁠

Ethio Friends Foundation for Refugees Successfully Concludes Capacity-Building Training for 15 Community Volunteers in Addis Ababa and Gambella Addis Ababa and Gambella, Ethiopia – 18 September 2026 The Ethio Friends Foundation for Refugees (EFFR), in collaboration with FGEA, successfully concluded a three-day capacity-building training for its community volunteers, held from 16 to 18 September 2026 at the EFFR Head Office in Addis Ababa, with volunteers from Gambella participating online. A total of 15 community volunteers from Addis Ababa and Gambella participated in the training. Volunteers based in Addis Ababa attended the sessions in person at the EFFR Head Office, while volunteers from Gambella joined online, enabling the Foundation to extend the training across its locations and strengthen coordination and knowledge-sharing among its community volunteer teams. The training was conducted as part of EFFR’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) “Door-to-Door” Programme, which provides regular home visits to refugee families and children. The programme is one of the key components of the “Empowering Families through E-Commerce to Support Children’s Education and Wellbeing” project, generously supported by the Hilton Foundation. The Door-to-Door Programme aims to reach families and children directly in their homes, identify their needs, promote psychosocial wellbeing, provide basic support, and facilitate appropriate referrals to specialized services when needed. The training strengthened the volunteers’ knowledge, practical skills, and readiness to conduct home visits and engage effectively with children and families, while applying principles of protection, care, and mental health and psychosocial support. Investing in the capacity of community volunteers is an important part of EFFR’s commitment to strengthening community-based approaches and ensuring that support is accessible and responsive to the needs of refugee families. Through its partnership with FGEA and the continued implementation of the Door-to-Door Programme in Addis Ababa and Gambella, EFFR continues to support and empower refugee communities, promote the wellbeing of children and families, and strengthen community-based protection and mental health and psychosocial support in Ethiopia. 📞 +251 947 857 777 🌐 www.ethiofriendsfoundation.org⁠

منظمات يقودها اللاجئون في إثيوبيا وكينيا تستعرض قصص نجاح في التمكين الاقتصادي ضمن منصة IGAD في أديس أبابا أديس أبابا – 15–17 سبتمبر 2026 استضافت العاصمة الإثيوبية أديس أبابا منصة التبادل الإقليمي للتعلّم، التي نظمتها الهيئة الحكومية الدولية المعنية بالتنمية (IGAD) بالتعاون مع البنك الدولي وInkomoko، تحت شعار: «الاستفادة من ابتكارات القطاع الخاص لتحقيق الاعتماد على الذات للاجئين». وركزت الفعالية بشكل أساسي على الانتقال من نماذج الإغاثة التقليدية إلى حلول اقتصادية شاملة قائمة على السوق. وفي جلسة مخصصة لاستعراض التجارب والحلول المجربة ميدانياً، قدمت منظمات يقودها اللاجئون من إثيوبيا وكينيا قصص نجاحها وتجاربها في دعم اللاجئين والمجتمعات المضيفة وتمكينهم اقتصادياً. وشهدت الجلسة مشاركة بارزة من عدد من المنظمات الرائدة، من بينها مؤسسة إثيو فريندز للاجئين (EFFR)، ومعهد شاما، وTomorrow is Better، إلى جانب منظمتين يقودهما اللاجئون وتعملان في المجالين الإنساني والتنموي في كينيا. وخلال مشاركتها، استعرضت مؤسسة إثيو فريندز للاجئين (EFFR) خطتها الاستراتيجية الجارية لتمكين اللاجئين في مجالي التجارة الإلكترونية والتحول الرقمي. وتستعد المؤسسة لإطلاق أول منصة رقمية يقودها اللاجئون في إثيوبيا وشرق أفريقيا، تهدف إلى دعم التجارة والتسويق الرقمي. وتسعى هذه المبادرة إلى تمكين عشرات الآلاف من اللاجئين وأفراد المجتمعات المضيفة من الوصول إلى فرص العمل، والتسويق الرقمي، وتنمية المشروعات الصغيرة. وأكدت EFFR أن البيئة الميدانية والتنظيمية في إثيوبيا توفر حالياً فرصة استثنائية للاجئين، لا سيما مع إطلاق خارطة طريق مكَاتِت (Makatet Roadmap) والإصلاحات القانونية الداعمة لإدماج اللاجئين في الاقتصاد الوطني. كما أعربت المؤسسة عن عميق شكرها وتقديرها لحكومة إثيوبيا، ممثلة في خدمة اللاجئين والعائدين (RRS)، على مبادراتها الجريئة ودعمها المستمر لتسهيل عمل المنظمات التي يقودها اللاجئون وتعزيز الاعتماد على الذات. وفي هذا السياق، وجهت السيدة شادية عبدالجبار، مؤسسة و رئيسة المؤسسة إثيو فريندز للاجئين، رسالة مباشرة ومهمة إلى المجتمع الدولي والجهات المانحة والقطاع الخاص:

«إن التمويل المباشر وتخصيص الموارد للمنظمات التي يقودها اللاجئون لا ينطوي على أي مخاطر. نحن نعمل بمنتهى الشفافية، وبشراكة وتنسيق وثيقين مع الجهات الحكومية والمنظمات الدولية، بما يضمن الاستمرارية والاستدامة.»

التعبير عن الشكر والتقدير نتقدم بخالص الشكر والتقدير إلى أمانة الهيئة الحكومية الدولية المعنية بالتنمية (IGAD)، وInkomoko، والبنك الدولي على دعم وتمويل هذه الفعالية المهمة، التي تمثل جزءاً من الجهود الإقليمية الأوسع لتعزيز الشمول المالي والاندماج الاقتصادي للاجئين في منطقة القرن الأفريقي. www.ethiofriendsfoundation.org

منظمات يقودها اللاجئون في إثيوبيا وكينيا تستعرض قصص نجاح في التمكين الاقتصادي ضمن منصة IGAD في أديس أبابا أديس أبابا – 15–17 سبتمبر 2026 استضافت العاصمة الإثيوبية أديس أبابا منصة التبادل الإقليمي للتعلّم، التي نظمتها الهيئة الحكومية الدولية المعنية بالتنمية (IGAD) بالتعاون مع البنك الدولي وInkomoko، تحت شعار: «الاستفادة من ابتكارات القطاع الخاص لتحقيق الاعتماد على الذات للاجئين». وركزت الفعالية بشكل أساسي على الانتقال من نماذج الإغاثة التقليدية إلى حلول اقتصادية شاملة قائمة على السوق. وفي جلسة مخصصة لاستعراض التجارب والحلول المجربة ميدانياً، قدمت منظمات يقودها اللاجئون من إثيوبيا وكينيا قصص نجاحها وتجاربها في دعم اللاجئين والمجتمعات المضيفة وتمكينهم اقتصادياً. وشهدت الجلسة مشاركة بارزة من عدد من المنظمات الإثيوبية الرائدة، من بينها مؤسسة إثيو فريندز للاجئين (EFFR)، ومعهد شاما، وTomorrow is Better، إلى جانب منظمتين يقودهما اللاجئون وتعملان في المجالين الإنساني والتنموي في كينيا. وخلال مشاركتها، استعرضت مؤسسة إثيو فريندز للاجئين (EFFR) خطتها الاستراتيجية الجارية لتمكين اللاجئين في مجالي التجارة الإلكترونية والتحول الرقمي. وتستعد المؤسسة لإطلاق أول منصة رقمية يقودها اللاجئون في إثيوبيا وشرق أفريقيا، تهدف إلى دعم التجارة والتسويق الرقمي. وتسعى هذه المبادرة إلى تمكين عشرات الآلاف من اللاجئين وأفراد المجتمعات المضيفة من الوصول إلى فرص العمل، والتسويق الرقمي، وتنمية المشروعات الصغيرة. وأكدت EFFR أن البيئة الميدانية والتنظيمية في إثيوبيا توفر حالياً فرصة استثنائية للاجئين، لا سيما مع إطلاق خارطة طريق مكَاتِت (Makatet Roadmap) والإصلاحات القانونية الداعمة لإدماج اللاجئين في الاقتصاد الوطني. كما أعربت المؤسسة عن عميق شكرها وتقديرها لحكومة إثيوبيا، ممثلة في خدمة اللاجئين والعائدين (RRS)، على مبادراتها الجريئة ودعمها المستمر لتسهيل عمل المنظمات التي يقودها اللاجئون وتعزيز الاعتماد على الذات. وفي هذا السياق، وجهت السيدة شادية عبدالجبار، مؤسسة والمديرة التنفيذية لمؤسسة إثيو فريندز للاجئين، رسالة مباشرة ومهمة إلى المجتمع الدولي والجهات المانحة والقطاع الخاص:

«إن التمويل المباشر وتخصيص الموارد للمنظمات التي يقودها اللاجئون لا ينطوي على أي مخاطر. نحن نعمل بمنتهى الشفافية، وبشراكة وتنسيق وثيقين مع الجهات الحكومية والمنظمات الدولية، بما يضمن الاستمرارية والاستدامة.»

التعبير عن الشكر والتقدير نتقدم بخالص الشكر والتقدير إلى أمانة الهيئة الحكومية الدولية المعنية بالتنمية (IGAD)، وInkomoko، والبنك الدولي على دعم وتمويل هذه الفعالية المهمة، التي تمثل جزءاً من الجهود الإقليمية الأوسع لتعزيز الشمول المالي والاندماج الاقتصادي للاجئين في منطقة القرن الأفريقي. www.ethiofriendsfoundation.org

Refugee-Led Organizations in Ethiopia and Kenya Showcase Economic Empowerment Success Stories at the IGAD Platform in Addis Ababa Addis Ababa – September 15–17, 2026 The Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, hosted the Regional Learning Exchange Platform organized by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in collaboration with the World Bank and Inkomoko, under the theme "Leveraging Private Sector Innovation for Refugee Self-Reliance." The event focused primarily on transitioning from traditional relief models to inclusive, market-based economic solutions. In a dedicated session highlighting field-tested experiences and solutions, Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs) from Ethiopia and Kenya presented their inspiring success stories in supporting and economically empowering refugees and host communities. The session featured prominent participation from leading Ethiopian organizations, including the Ethio Friends Foundation for Refugees (EFFR), Shama Institute, and Tomorrow is Better, alongside two RLOs driving humanitarian and development efforts in Kenya. During its presentation, EFFR unveiled its ongoing strategic plan for refugee empowerment in e-commerce and digital transformation. The foundation is preparing to launch the first refugee-led digital platform in Ethiopia and East Africa designed to facilitate digital trade and marketing. This initiative aims to enable tens of thousands of refugees and host community members to access employment opportunities, digital marketing, and small business development. EFFR highlighted that Ethiopia’s field and regulatory environment now presents an exceptional opportunity for refugees, particularly with the launch of the Makatet Roadmap and legal reforms supporting the integration of refugees into the national economy. The foundation expressed its deep gratitude and appreciation to the Ethiopian Government, represented by the Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS), for its bold initiatives and continuous support in facilitating the work of RLOs and promoting self-reliance. In this context, Ms. Shadya Abduljabbar, Founder and Executive Director of EFFR, delivered a direct and crucial message to the international community, donors, and the private sector: "Directly funding and allocating resources to Refugee-Led Organizations carries no risk. We operate with full transparency and in close partnership and coordination with government bodies and international organizations to ensure continuity and sustainability." Expression of Thanks and Gratitude We extend our gratitude and appreciation to the IGAD Secretariat, Inkomoko, and the World Bank for sponsoring this milestone event, which forms part of broader regional efforts to foster financial inclusion and economic integration for refugees across the Horn of Africa. www.ethiofriendsfoundation.org

You may find our social media post here:https://www.linkedin.com/posts/redss-hoagl_rlos-durablesolutions-forceddisplacement-activity-7500503020011671553-l2oZ?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABLiZcABqy8VyfVGe6IL7UDSEF8TztVMDGg

For the first time, ReDSS and the Ethio Friends Foundation for Refugees (EFFR) ran a joint capacity-building workshop built entirely for refugee-led organisations, on grant writing and resource mobilisation. From 18 to 20 August, registered and emerging RLOS working in and around Addis Ababa worked through the fundamentals: identifying a project problem, writing a grant proposal, researching donors, and building a budget, while trading lessons from their own experience with implementation and donor engagement. This workshop marks phase one for more advanced training and mentorship to #RLOs in Ethiopia supported by Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Thank you to EFFR for co-designing and hosting this training. #DurableSolutions #ForcedDisplacement #EastAfrica #RefugeeLed

In the Framework of Enhancing Transparency and Mutual Cooperation: EthioFriends Foundation Hosts a High-Level Delegation for a Field monitoring Visit: The EthioFriends Foundation welcomed a high-level monitoring visit delegation at its headquarter. The delegation comprised representatives from prominent partners and key actors in the humanitarian and development sectors, most notably: Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), DICAC, Kepler and Refugee Central Committee (RCC) This strategic visit comes as part of a mutual commitment to strengthening collaborative frameworks. It reaffirms a steadfast dedication to the highest standards of institutional quality and transparency in the implementation of projects and programs. Visit Objectives and Evaluation Pillars: The field visit focused on several key areas aimed at elevating overall institutional performance. These included: Workflow Monitoring: Closely observing the organization's daily operational procedures to ensure their strict alignment with approved strategic plans. Biannual Evaluation: Conducting a comprehensive review and precise assessment of performance and outcomes over the past six months, while highlighting the achievements realized and the challenges successfully overcome. Auditing and Data Review: Examining organizational databases and records to ensure the integrity of administrative and financial procedures, confirming full compliance with the standards and protocols agreed upon with our partners. Transparency and Complete Responsiveness: The management of the EthioFriends Foundation warmly welcomed the visiting delegation, emphasizing its continuous "open-door" policy and commitment to absolute transparency. The organization's dedicated teams mobilized all their resources, providing all necessary records, data, and requirements to facilitate the delegation's mission, thereby ensuring a highly smooth and professional review process. In conclusion, the EthioFriends Foundation expressed its deepest thanks and sincere gratitude to the esteemed delegation for their diligent efforts and valuable time. The Foundation emphasized that such regular, collaborative visits serve as a strong motivation to continuously evolve, improve services, and foster fruitful partnerships that serve our shared humanitarian and developmental goals.