Haregewein Ashenafi is the managing director of ECD, the local partner organisation with which we have been working since August 2019. In this interview, she explains how the Ethiopian organisation has developed during this time and what role SKP has played in this.
What forms of support has ECD received as a local partner organisation?
The Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation has provided ECD with comprehensive and multi-faceted support in capacity building, thereby significantly strengthening our organisational and technical capabilities.
This included structured training on key topics such as results-based management and process cycle management, strategic communication and advocacy, gender mainstreaming, child protection, financial management and education in emergency situations.
These were complemented by ongoing coaching and mentoring, enabling new approaches to be applied immediately. In addition, the PCF country office provided ongoing technical support in programme implementation, thereby making a significant contribution to improving programme quality, operational efficiency and the overall institutional development of ECD.
“The Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation has provided ECD with comprehensive and multifaceted support in capacity building, thereby significantly strengthening our organisational and technical capabilities.”
How did this multi-year trend in capacity development affect ECD as an organisation?
This needs-based support has led to several significant and positive organisational changes. On the one hand, ECD has significantly improved its project performance, met compliance requirements more consistently and, as a result, strengthened donor confidence and forged new partnerships.
On the other hand, investment in staff development and a supportive working environment has increased staff retention and fostered a positive organisational culture, which has led to a sharp reduction in staff turnover.
“ECD has significantly improved its project performance, met compliance requirements more consistently and, as a result, strengthened donors’ trust and forged new partnerships.”
How do you view the collaboration between ECD and the Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation?
It is a partnership based on mutual trust, respect and a shared vision for sustainable impact. The PCF's role goes far beyond that of a traditional funder. It is a genuine professional partner that consistently provides well-considered advice, needs-based capacity-building and timely, constructive feedback.
The relationship is characterised by open and honest communication, as well as a shared commitment to achieving meaningful results for the communities we serve. PCF's integrated model, which combines training with direct coaching and follow-up support, is particularly effective and ensures that what has been learnt is not merely acquired but actively applied to improve our work.
‘In summary, it can be said that this partnership has made a decisive contribution to strengthening ECD’s institutional capacity, improving the quality of our programmes and fostering a culture of continuous learning and continuous improvement. This collaboration has brought significant benefits not only to ECD but to the entire education sector in Ethiopia.”