What is the main problem the project is seeking to address? The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimates that there are over 103,000 stateless persons and people at risk of statelessness in the Eastern African region. The actual number is much higher considering that countries in the Horn of Africa (Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti) have no clear data on statelessness. In the region, statelessness is caused by several factors including discrimination based on ethnicity or religion like in Kenya and Uganda, gender discrimination in nationality law like in Somalia, administrative and bureaucratic barriers, conflicts in nationality law, state succession like in South Sudan, lack of frameworks and structures for comprehensive and systematic documentation of nationals, limited knowledge among the stakeholders, among other factors. In addition to people directly affected by statelessness, there are hundreds of thousands or millions of others who are citizens of different countries according to the law, but in practice cannot prove their nationality due to barriers in obtaining basic legal identification documents such as birth certificates, national identity cards and passports. Stateless people in Eastern Africa just like in other parts of the world face dire consequences. They are denied fundamental human rights including access to basic and essential services such as education, healthcare, finance and livelihood opportunities to fulfil their economic potential. Within the region however, several states have made significant progress in eradicating statelessness mostly the context of the #iBelong Campaign launched by UNHCR in 2014. Countries have implemented measures such as taking actions to resolve existing situations of statelessness and preventing new cases, improving national legislation, drafting national action plans, making and working towards implementation of pledges and appointing statelessness focal persons. Despite this progress however, much more efforts are needed to eradicate statelessness in the region and the opportunities to do so are exist.

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What is the main change the project seeks to achieve? Desired Change: Existing situations of statelessness in the Eastern Africa Region resolved. The change will be accomplished through enhancing the capacity of civil society organisations, stateless-led organisations, persons with lived experiences of statelessness, governments and other stakeholders in the region on eradicating and preventing statelessness. Project Goal: To enhance EANN’s capacity to effectively contribute to and lead regional and global efforts for the prevention, reduction, and protection of stateless persons in Eastern Africa. Project Objectives: To strengthen EANN's institutional and operational capacity to ensure consistent, high-quality engagement in regional and global advocacy, coordination, and collaborative initiatives. To foster collaborative action among EANN members, affected communities, and other key stakeholders (including national governments, UNHCR, and regional bodies) on statelessness issues. To Enhance EANN’s active participation in and contribute to Global Alliance Workstreams, Thematic Working Groups and knowledge-sharing platforms, including organizing or co-organizing Regional Network Labs. This project is a critical component of EANN’s longer-term strategy to establish itself as a robust, influential, and sustainable regional network dedicated to ending statelessness. By strengthening EANN’s core operational capacity, particularly through dedicated staff support, the project will enable the network to: Reinforce solidarity among CSO partners and actors on ending statelessness in the Eastern Africa region. Foster joint regional and state-level advocacy with a common voice. Increase visibility, awareness, and resources to promote nationality rights and end statelessness in Eastern Africa. Build capacity of civil society organizations, stateless-led organizations, and other stakeholders in the region on prevention and reduction of statelessness through peer learning and knowledge exchanges including through organization of thematic network labs

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Who are the key partners? Kenya Human Rights Commission (Lead) - Global Alliance member Haki Centre (Co-lead), Hold the Child, Dignity Kwanza - Global Alliance members, Namati Kenya (Co-lead) – Not a member Great Lakes Initiative for Human Rights and Development; Child Rights Watch; Haki na Sheria Initiative; Justice Access Point; Minority Rights Group Africa Office; Nubian Rights Forum; Prison Fellowship Rwanda; Sudan Organisation for Development; Zanzibar Legal Aid and Human Rights Organization; Women Advocates Association of South Sudan; Pemba Community Forum; Nalafem Collective

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Who is the target population for this project? PrimaryEANN member organizations, Stateless-Led Organizations, Stateless Persons .

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OtherGovernments, Media, Regional and International Organizations/Mechanism (AU, UN)

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Funding and costs What is the total cost of this project?100,000 USD

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How much funding is needed?20,000 USD

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