TOR CECOE_CSOs_voter education at European Center for Electoral Support (ECES)

Background

Voter education constitutes a public endeavor designed to apprise voters of their rights and responsibilities within the electoral framework. This process is paramount for cultivating voter awareness, thereby enabling citizens to articulate their preferences effectively through the democratic mechanism of voting.

democratic elections are indispensable for fostering accountable governance and facilitating citizen participation. The integrity of elections is linked to the awareness and engagement of the electorate. Voter involvement primarily stems from an informed understanding of their rights and obligations. Comprehensive voter education plays a pivotal role in mitigating election-related conflicts, reducing the incidence of invalidated ballots, and increasing voter participation. Consequently, this call for proposals is extended to CECOE’s member Civil Society Organizations across Ethiopia that possess demonstrated experience in voter education. Eligible organizations are invited to submit proposals to secure direct cost support for their voter education initiatives, which are intended to enhance citizen participation in the forthcoming 2026 general elections.

Therefore, this call for proposals is prepared to provide direct cost support for 14 CECOE’s member Civil Society Organizations in delivering voter education for covering a maximum of 10,000 euros for a duration of 3 to 6 months.

Objectives

General Objective

• To increase citizen participation in the upcoming 2026 general elections by raising awareness about the importance of electoral processes.

Specific Objective

• Increase voter turnout in the Seventh General Election.
• Enhance the participation of first-time voters, women, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized segments of society in the upcoming general election.
• Reduce the number of lost votes due to voters’ knowledge gaps.

Criteria for Selection

1. Appreciation of the electoral law, specifically on voter registration, voting processes, and other requirements
2. Applicants should select a specific geographical coverage (region and zone)
3. Estimated number of target and target group (first-time voters, women voters, voters with Disability, and Persons who have reached the voting age)
4. Diversified and innovative mode of delivery
5. Indicate a detailed implementation plan with a clear timeline (3 to 6 months) for conducting voter education
6. Submit a budget for activities
7. Commit to provide voter education impartially and in a non-partisan manner

To be accepted, member organizations shall submit a proposal detailing their voter education plan, fulfilling the requirements above.

Eligibility Criteria

• Certification from the Authority of Civil Society Organizations (ACSO)
• Accreditation from the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE)
• Membership of Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Elections (CECOE)
• Willingness to work with direct cost support, submitting the required documents