Swedish NGO Affirms Continued Operations Amid Humanitarian Funding Drought

News Swedish NGO Affirms Continued Operations Amid Humanitarian Funding Drought

By Samuel Abate

June 14, 2025

Reach for Change, a Sweden-based NGO, says global humanitarian funding cuts have resulted in increased competition for financing in Ethiopia.

“We are seeing increased competition for funding sources that have not been cut. For example, we know that USAID has reduced its funding, which has placed additional pressure on alternative sources like the EU and other donors. However, from Reach for Change’s perspective, this has not affected us, and we do not foresee any impact on our operations in Ethiopia in the foreseeable future,” said Hristina Popova, head of global programs at Reach for Change.

The organization recently hosted an exhibition in Addis Ababa, showcasing the work of 11 startups in education technology who each received USD 60,000 in funding. The event highlighted the impact of Reach for Change both globally and in Ethiopia.

“What we do is support local social entrepreneurs throughout their journey—from the idea stage to incubation and scaling,” Popova explained. “The scaling stage is what we are witnessing here with the EdTech fellows. We provide mentorship, partnerships, networks, and funding to help them scale their impact.”

Mekdam Gulilat, the country director, said the organization is currently supporting 11 Ethiopian entrepreneurs addressing social challenges. These entrepreneurs were selected as part of a five-year program that includes three rounds of financial and technical support.

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“In the first round, 11 entrepreneurs from across Ethiopia were chosen. They are addressing 11 different social problems through technology, reaching over 250,000 people so far,” said Mekdam.

She added that the next two rounds will invite additional applicants aiming to solve more social issues.

From The Reporter Magazine

While many international NGOs are halting operations due to budget constraints, Reach for Change has emphasized that it is not at risk.

One of the entrepreneurs enjoying support is Globedock Academy, whose Commercial Manager, Blen Beniam, said they are delivering academic content for grades 7–12 digitally.

“We’ve received positive feedback from our users, but internet outages have limited access for many students,” Blen noted, adding that they charge 200 Birr per subject per month.

From The Reporter Magazine

Another startup, Qalam Tutor, based in Jigjiga in the Somali region, provides educational content in the Somali language for grades 7–12. Founder and CEO Abdifatah Dayib urged the government to support students in rural areas by providing access to phones, tablets, and improved internet services.

Professor Kindia Gebrehiwot, a state minister of Education, commended the efforts of Reach for Change, describing their work in supporting problem-solving entrepreneurs in education as “encouraging.”

The entrepreneurs also emphasized the importance of delivering solutions in multiple local languages. The Ministry of Education reiterated its commitment to supporting such initiatives and called for more coordinated efforts to enhance their impact.