Consortium of Self Help Group Approach Promoters (CoSAP) is an umbrella of SHG promoting organizations. Members, who adopt the SHG approach as a key tool for the empowerment of women, utilize this platform as a unifying mechanism for the implementation of the approach. This objective is realized through the provision of capacity building training to member organization and representing them in any policy level discussion that paves the ground for the proliferation of the approach.
To see Self-help communities support each other for economic betterment and stand for social justice in Ethiopia.
Mission
Coordinate and catalyze sustainable Self-help development through capacity enhancement, advocacy, research and partnerships.
Our values
we will be guided by the following core values in our day today operations, internally & externally:
Responsiveness
Transparency
Accountability
Professionalism
Learning
Respect social values
Our Strategic Goals
Enable organizations to participate and positively contribute in the country’s sustainable development and poverty reduction programs;
Strengthen the organizational capacity and create enabling environment organizations and women institutions;
Create conducive environment for organizations to closely work and create partnership with other organizations to influence policy;
Introduce and share best experiences with organizations, women groups, national and international development partners;
Build the capacity of member organizations, women’s SHG institutions and grassroots level actors working on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment and;
Facilitate linkages between organizations, SHG institutions and government bodies for dialogue, discussion and cooperation on pertinent issues that affect the lives of women.
Coordination: as a consortium of organizations, CoSAP is responsible for coordinating their efforts of empowering poor women.
Research: identifying livelihood challenges related to Ethiopian women and how they become best appropriated is also among the core themes of CoSAP.
Networking: CoSAP always strives to network with like-minded organizations and working in the area of Women Empowerment programs.
Capacity Building: CoSAP is also engaged in building the capacity of grassroots women’s institutions and member organizations through formal training, experience sharing and monitoring visits as well as on-spot feedback sessions.
Resource Mobilization: to effectively coordinate and implement its activities through the member organizations, CoSAP mobilizes resources from different sources.
Although CoSAP supports any women empowerment programs, it is directly responsible for and certified mainly in the SHG approach.
Mrs. Hiss Ahmednur is serving in CoSAP’s trainers’ team for the SHG approach. She has grassroots experience of working as SHG project officer 2021 and since then facilitates SHG and CLA concept trainings in Afaan Oromo and Amharic languages.
Mr. Lemawork Dekiso is serving as CoSAP’s pool of trainers and Federation Strengthening Team (FST) for the SHG approach. He works on SHGA since 2010. He has rich experience in facilitating SHG, CLA and Federation concept trainings. Currently he works full time for PIN but helps CoSAP to expand its capacity building initiatives. Lemawork is fluent and facilitate training in Amharic and Afaan Oromo languages.
Ms. Hewan Demisse is a member of CoSAP’s pool of trainers and Federation Strengthening Team (FST) for the SHG approach. She works on SHG approach since 2012. She has rich experience in facilitating SHG, CLA and Federation concept trainings.
Mrs. Kidest Shiferaw is serving in CoSAP’s trainers’ team for the SHG approach. She has grassroots experience of working as SHG project officer 2015 and since then facilitates SHG and CLA concept trainings in Afaan Oromo and Amharic languages.
Mr. Elias Wogayehu is serving as CoSAP’s pool of trainers for the SHG approach. He works on SHGA since 2003. He has rich experience in facilitating SHG and CLA concept trainings. Currently Elias works with government office but is helping CoSAP with various capacity building initiatives.
Mr. Adugna Haji is a project officer of CoSAP member organization (ADAA). He works on SHGA since 2013. He has rich experience in facilitating SHG, CLA and Federation concept trainings. Currently he works full time for ADAA but helps CoSAP to expand its capacity building initiatives. Adugna Haji is fluent speaker and facilaite trainings in Afaan Oromo.
Mrs. Nohamin Addis was added in CoSAP’s pool of trainers and Federation Strengthening Team (FST) for the SHG approach in 2018 though she worked with SHGs since 2009. She has rich experience in facilitating SHG, CLA and Federation concept trainings. Currently she works full time for MCDP but helps CoSAP with its capacity building initiatives.
Ms. Mariah Omer is a volunteer in CoSAP for facilitating trainings for SHG women on rights based approach, lobby and advocacy skills. She has rich experience in facilitating trainings on Ethiopia’s legal code, GBV and lobby and advocacy skills. Currently she is affiliated with Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA), with which CoSAP has affiliation.
Ms. Christine Yohannnes is an Ethiopia national but currently lives in London. Ms. Christine is full time BBC news staff. She volunteered to help CoSAP with in media, culture, arts and liaise with international donors.
Ms. Meti Dereje used to work for CoSAP. Ms. Meti is fundraising expert and volunteer to support CoSAP in developing grant proposals to solicit funding from donors. She currently works for Plan International Africa Union Liaison Office.
Mrs. Eleni Misganaw used to work for CoSAP at the capacity of Program Coordinator. Eleni is a volunteer for CoSAP in editing, proofreading and preparation of training materials and other organizational contents. Mrs. Eleni is an honorable member of CoSAP general assembly.
Mr. Berhanu Tadesse was a project coordinator of CoSAP. After leaving the organization, he is still involved with CoSAP in translating and preparation of training materials into Afaan Oromo language. Mr. Berhanu is an honorable member of CoSAP general assembly.
The General Assembly is the highest governing body of CoSAP. The Board of Directors elected by the General closely provides guidance to the Secretariat on strategic and policy level issues. The day to day operations of CoSAP office is led by the Director, assisted by Program Coordination and Administration and Finance sections.
Current Board Members since re-registration of CoSAP with the new CSOs proclamation in 2019.
Mrs. Mulu HMrs. Mulu Haile is the founder and Executive Director of Mission of Community Development Program (MCDP). MCDP is founding member of CoSAP and Mrs. Mulu is serving as CoSAP Board of Directors Deputy Chairperson since 2019 (re-elected). She holds MA in Social Work with over thirty years of professional experience in the civil society sector in Ethiopia.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.aile is the founder and Executive Director of Mission of Community Development Program (MCDP). MCDP is founding member of CoSAP and Mrs. Mulu is serving as CoSAP Board of Directors Deputy Chairperson since 2019 (re-elected). She holds MA in Social Work with over thirty years of professional experience in the civil society sector in Ethiopia.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mrs. Martha Nemera is the Executive Director of Women Empowerment Action (WE-Action). WE-Action is a member of CoSAP and promotes the SHG approach in various areas. Mrs. Martha holds MA degree in Gender and is serving as the member of CoSAP Board of Directors since 2019.
Mrs. Zertihun Tefera is the founder and Executive Director of Siiqqee Women's Development Association (SWDA). SWDA is the founding member of CoSAP. Mrs. Zertihun is serving as the member of CoSAP Board of Directors since 2022. She holds BA degree and with over twenty years of professional experience in the Ethiopian CSO sector. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mrs. Lemlem Tekuye is the founder and Executive Director of Love for Children Organization (LCO). LCO is the founding member of CoSAP. Mrs. Lemlem is serving as the member of CoSAP Board of Directors since 2022. She holds BA degree in Social Work and with over thirty years of professional experience in the Ethiopian CSO sector. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mr. Mulugeta Gebru is the Chief Executive Officer of Jerusalem Children and Community Development Organization (JeCCDO). JeCCDO is a pioneer organization for initiating SHG approach implementation in Ethiopia and JeCCDO is a founding member of CoSAP. Mr Mulugeta is serving as the Chairperson of CoSAP Board of Directors since 2019 (re-elected). He holds Master’s Degree with close to forty years of professional experience in the civil society sector in Ethiopia. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mr. Gelaye Hailu is the Executive Director of Facilitator for Change (FC). FC is the founding member of CoSAP. Mr. Gelaye is serving as the member of CoSAP board since 2019 (re-elected). He holds BA degree with over thirty years of professional experience in the Ethiopian CSO sector. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mr. Dessisa Kabeta is the founder and Executive Director of Vision of Community Development Association (VoCDA). VoCDA is the founding member of CoSAP. Mr. Dessisa is serving as the member of CoSAP board since 2019 (re-elected). He holds BA degree with over thirty years of professional experience in the Ethiopian CSO sector. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
CoSAP Staff Members
Mr. YOSEF AKALU is serving as Director of CoSAP since 2011. He has Master’s Degree in Development Economics and over ten years of hands on experience on the women’s Self Help Groups as project coordinator, program coordinator and running the office of CoSAP.
Mrs. EMEBET TIBEBU heads the Administration and Finance section of CoSAP. She has over 15 years of rich experience in financial planning, budget control, procurement, and human resource development for profit as well as non-profit development organizations. She builds the internal capacities of CoSAP member organizations in finance and human resource matters.
Mr. DAREK YIBELTAL joined CoSAP on February 2020 as Resource Mobilization & PMEAL Unit Head. He has BA Degree in Sociology & Social Anthropology with over six years working experience on the SHG approach.
Mr. THOMAS MEKNONNEN is Administrative and Project Coordinator at CoSAP since February 2017. He has BA Degree in Psychology. He supports CoSAP staffs and member organizations with the day to day administrative and program functions to reach more women at grassroots level.
Mrs. LIYOU ALENE has BA Degree in Accounting and working as an Admin and Finance Coordinator.
Mrs. HANA ESHETU has Mrs. Hana Eshetu has a master’s degree in social work and a bachelor's degree in Sociology and social work. She is working at CoSAP as Program Officer since 2022.
Mrs. BETEMARIAM GASHAW has a bachelor degree in computer science and serving CoSAP as Program Assistant since 2020.
Mrs. ASNAKECH TSEMA serves as Field Officer in CoSAP since 2022.
Mrs. MARTHA WUBSHIETserves as Field Officer in CoSAP since 2022.
Mr. MELKAMU DAKSA serves as Field Officer in CoSAP since 2022.
Ms. BEZAWIT has BA Degree in Accounting and working as an Accountant and Admin Assistant.
Mr. YOSEPH ARAGE is a Driver/Purchaser at CoSAP since establishment. He knows the exact spots where the women SHGs operate even in remote villages of Ethiopia. He gives comfort for staffs and visitors while going to the field to meeting with the women’s groups.
Mrs. MESERET TSEGAYE serves CoSAP as an office person for cleaning and messenger services. She has been a book witter of an SHG in her neighborhood and provides firsthand information to CoSAP staffs.