The Democratic Institutions Program(DIP) is a multi-donor initiative designed to support the development of a democratic, constitutional federalism in Ethiopia. Its purpose is to deepen the democratization process by strengthening key state institutions including the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, the Ethiopian Institute of the Ombudsman, the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the House of Peoples' Representatives and Regional State Councils, and the House of Federation. The program as a whole is managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The Norwegian Embassy as one of the donors has committed itself to support DIP with 25 million NOK from 2008 until 2012.
At the meeting, several of the state institutions presented their results from 2009. The Ombudsman informed that the Children Parliament in the Amhara region had notified local authorities and intercepted more than 300 cases of early marriages. House of Federation reported that tv- shows on constitutional rights and federalism had been broadcasted throughout the country, whereas House of Peoples’ Representatives highlighted that training had been conducted on impact of climate change for parliamentarians and their support staff .
Links: Federal Ethics Anti Corruption Commission: http://www.feac.gov.et/
Ethiopian Parliament: http://www.ethiopar.net/
Ethiopian Human Rights Commission: http://www.ehrc.org.et/
House of Federation: http://hofethiopia.gov.et/