HCD Conducted Internal Grant Launch to Align Five-Year Strategy and Systems
HCD conducted an internal grant launch event at its office in Addis Ababa to formally inaugurate its new grant and align staff and research associates around the organization’s five-year strategic direction, operational systems, and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) framework.
The session was moderated by Executive Director Frew Demeke and brought together HCD staff and research associates to reflect on institutional priorities and strategic positioning within a shrinking civic and funding landscape.
Programs and Partnership Director, Yemisrach Kebede presented HCD’s five-year strategy under the theme “Building a Foundation for Inclusive Democracy in the Horn of Africa.” The strategy integrates research, advocacy, and program implementation through adaptive, inclusive, and learning-oriented approaches.
The Center aims to generate and popularize homegrown knowledge on democracy and governance, foster inclusive citizen participation, monitor civic space trends, strengthen pro-democracy actors, contribute to address gender gaps in democratic and peace processes, and apply conflict-sensitive and gender-responsive approaches across engagements.
Finance and Operations Director, Yohannis Aklog presented HCD’s strengthened financial and operational systems, emphasizing accountability, compliance, and value-for-money principles. The Center is transitioning to ODOO ERP to enhance integrated institutional management and reduce operational risks.
Senior MEAL Advisor Siyoum Woldie highlighted the organization’s results-based MEAL framework, stressing data quality, participation, institutional learning, and continuous adaptation to evolving program contexts.
HCD’s staff and research associates emphasized the importance of incorporating regional and global democratic trends into HCD’s strategic outlook, diversifying institutional representation across the Horn of Africa, and strengthening sustainability and donor diversification efforts.
In closing, HCD leadership thanked the active engagement of its staff and associates and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to delivering on its strategic objectives and grant commitments. As an immediate next step, specialized training sessions will be organized by the Finance and Operations and MEAL units to ensure proper alignment, compliance, and coordination across program functions.