EHAAT members gather to discuss the network’s long-term sustainability strategies

Civil society organizations (CSOs) from the East and Horn of Africa Anti-Trafficking (EHAAT) Network came together earlier this month for a Resource Mobilization Strategy Workshop, aiming to ensure the organizational sustainability of the network and expand its reach and effectiveness.

Facilitated by Freedom Collaborative, the forum took place in Kampala, Uganda, with support from the Better Migration Management (BMM) Programme, funded by the European Union and Germany. The primary goal of the three-day workshop was to develop a comprehensive strategy that would enable EHAAT to secure the resources necessary to meet its core priorities. Key objectives included translating strategic goals into actionable funding needs, identifying and framing impactful success stories and activities, and drafting a six-month action plan for resource mobilization. The workshop sessions were highly participatory with CSO representatives contributing insights and examples, ensuring collective ownership of the strategy and a shared vision for EHAAT’s future.

Building a Strategy for Sustainability

Day one focused on reviewing EHAAT’s strategic priorities as outlined during its regional forum earlier this year, and translating them into actionable strategies and activities. Participants identified essential and aspirational goals, providing clarity on the financial and organizational support required to achieve them. The second day was dedicated to identifying successful initiatives and impact stories that could be scaled up across the network, demonstrating the concrete impact and value that EHAAT brings to its members and to broader anti-trafficking efforts across the region. 

From Success Stories to Action Plans

For instance, previous discussions among network members led to the development of impactful region-specific recommendations for the 2024 Africa Regional Review of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, expanding and enhancing the response by elevating civil society’s role in shaping migration policies, and demonstrating strategic influence on international policy development and agenda setting. Meanwhile, a series of training events on survivor inclusion delivered in recent months has significantly enhanced the capacity of EHAAT members to engage and support survivors of trafficking and exploitation with sensitivity and professionalism, ensuring organizations can implement long-term sustainable practices that center survivor perspectives.

Other success stories include EHAAT’s facilitation of regular CSO calls, which provide cost-efficient, needs-based opportunities for professional development and peer learning; the network’s leadership on cross-regional coordination to address emerging issues in anti-trafficking, such as trafficking for forced criminality; and its regional mapping exercises, which showcase its expertise in data collection and analysis to inform regional strategies.

On the final day, participants concentrated on developing a concrete six-month action plan which detailed specific activities, responsibilities, and timelines, ensuring accountability and progress tracking. The plan outlines milestones for engaging stakeholders, launching fundraising campaigns, and evaluating success, and follow-up meetings will be held to gather feedback, review progress, and refine the strategy as needed.

EHAAT is a regional network of CSOs dedicated to protecting survivors of trafficking and vulnerable migrants, and combating human trafficking, forced labour, and exploitation across the East and Horn of Africa. Its members operate across multiple countries including Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda, and it serves as a platform for grassroots organizations, advocacy groups, and service providers to collaborate, share knowledge, and coordinate their efforts.