Regional Reports - the European External Action Service

six proposals submitted to CSF are approved is counted as an example. Another regional NGO,
MfM, pointed that out of the 30 proposals submitted to donors, only two got favourable
responses.
Absence of a capacity building or funding NGO at regional level is, indeed a challenge for the
emerging NSA. Information on available supports from donors may not reach in time. Besides, it
is also difficult to talk of qualities of project proposals produced and submitted. The regional
network, ACSOT, has started addressing these core issues, and should be supported to respond
effectively.
10. Capacity Building Needs
In summary, it is advisable that the regional NSA is supported in the following core areas:
� Enhancing leadership skills and transition,
� Strengthen the apex/networking structures - for coordination of engagements, facilitating
communication, training and sharing;
� Strengthening the cooperation/dialogue amongst and joint actions by MBAs and
corresponding emerging localized NSAs having shared objectives and constituencies (for
example between TWA, the EWLA regional chapter, Regional Association of Women
LWHA, etc., between TDA and the emerging localized development associations)
� Establishing a decentralized funding and capacity strengthening arrangement,
� Strengthen researching and informing institutions,
� Capacity to expand coverage and scale-up activities, and
� Capacity to develop systems and infrastructure for sustained participation;
8. Amhara Regional Report
1. General remarks on NSA at territorial level
1.1. Background about Amhara National Regional State
Amhara is the second biggest region in terms of both land area and population. The region is
administratively divided into 11 zones, 140 Woredas, 3,469 kebeles (rural 3099 and urban 370).
About 20 million people live in the region, of which 89.2% are rural residents (BoFED 2004).It is
sub-divided into 11 administrative zones, including the Bahir Dar City Administration. Most of
the highly degraded mountainous areas of the country are located in this region. As a result of
natural (drought) and man-made disasters, significant proportion of the population often gets
subjected to food shortage. It is known that most of the earlier NGOs and FBOs started operation
in Ethiopia to respond to the famine induced emergency needs of the population in Wollo (North
and South), parts of Gonder and North Shoa.
As for the regional socio-economic needs, addressing the high level of poverty and food
insecurity in ANRS still remains as one of the top priorities. The participation of NSA in the
regional processes is anticipated by the government to contribute to this core agenda.
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