Makda Getachew Abebe

Change Management in the Civil Society Sector: How Civil Society Organizations in Ethiopia Are Adjusting to Change in Their Policy Environment Makda Getachew Abebe

In the past few decades the prominence of civil society organisations(CSOs) has increased locally, nationally and globally. Understanding how CSOs operate and relate with other sectors of the society - namely the state and the private sector - is becoming an issue of interest for economist, sociologist and political scientists. This growing interest in academia is shared by policy makers and international donor agencies. The multi stakeholder and constituency characteristic of CSOs makes them susceptible to frequent change. Consequently, understanding the process of change management among CSOs is relevant in comprehending civil society sectors and the operation of CSOs. This monograph examines the adaptation mechanisms undertaken by CSOs in Ethiopia in response to a change in their policy environment that was brought about by the enactment of the Proclamation of Charities and Societies in February 2009. By examining response mechanisms, the monograph contributes to the understanding of change management in civil society sectors in non-western setting.